Inspector faulted over GE tainted corn
By JANINE BENNETTS - The Press, February 2, 2007

The Government admits "disappointing and unacceptable" failures led to the importation of four tonnes of genetically engineered (GE) corn into New Zealand last year.
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) director-general Murray Sherwin yesterday released a report into how 4000kg of GE corn was brought into New Zealand in October and November 2006, leading to the destruction of $7.2 million worth of crops.
The two consignments of Zea Mays seeds entered New Zealand with certificates which indicated conflicting GE test results.
It was initially thought mid-Canterbury farmers had been affected, but tests showed 18 North Island growers planted the GE crops over about 260ha. The crops have since been destroyed.
The report found there was an error of judgment on the part of the inspecting officer.
A lack of appropriate peer review meant the error was undetected until after the seed had been released.
The report recommended improvements to MAF's quarantine clearance procedures.
Biosecurity Minister Jim Anderton said the "disappointing and unacceptable" failures identified within the MAF Quarantine Service would be fixed without delay.
Anderton said clearance practices followed by frontline officers had been inadequate.
"There are many reasons why these mistakes occurred but there are no excuses," Anderton said.
"I expect these deficiencies to be remedied and for the Quarantine Service to learn from the mistakes made so they are never repeated."
Sherwin said MAF would be acting on the recommendations as quickly as possible and many had already been initiated, including improved information technology systems and personnel practices to improve inspection procedures and data collection.
MAF's biosecurity systems were also being restructured to improve links between policy development, risk assessment and standards, Sherwin said.
Further training and support was being provided for quarantine staff in the "at-risk" seed lines area.
National biosecurity spokesman Shane Ardern said the report highlighted gaps in border control.
"Policies and standards are only as good as the people who manage them," Ardern said.
"Clearly, the lack of leadership at the top has resulted in sloppy mistakes and lack of accountability."
Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Peter Silcock said the incident had been costly and worrying for the growers.
"What is being done to make sure that this doesn't happen again?" Silcock asked.
Some growers had agreements on compensation but others were still negotiating.

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