AgResearch says it is working on whether its genetically modified ryegrass could move to NZ based field and animal nutrition trials from 2021. This comes as the Government is advised again it should have another look at the laws around gene technologies by climate change advisors.
The genetically modified High Metabolizable Energy (HME) ryegrass has so far shown in testing to grow up to 50% faster than conventional ryegrass, to be able to store more energy for better animal growth, to be more resistant to drought, and to produce up to 23% less methane from livestock.
The Crown Research Institute says in its Statement of Corporate Intent it is continuing its field trials in the US in order to comply with NZ law. It currently has two parallel and closely interrelated programmes working HME forages.
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“NZ’s rules on genetic modification could be a barrier to developing lower emissions technologies,” [said New Zealand’s Interim Climate Change Committee].
Read full, original article: AgResearch considering bring GM trial to NZ