Transgenic Livestock Programme: Letter to Stakeholders

Filing of new applications by AgResearch to ERMA for approvals to continue its transgenic livestock programme

You will be aware that AgResearch has programmes under way to study genetic modification in cattle, largely aimed at developing products from milk which will improve human health.

This letter is to keep you abreast of important developments in this area and to ask for your support.

Eight years ago, AgResearch obtained the first of a series of approvals from the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA), to undertake specific transgenic work with cows. In recent years our scientists have developed gene technology that has enabled us to breed a small herd of transgenic cows. Milk from the transgenic cows contains a human protein that could be extracted for use in pharmaceuticals for use with humans. There was also approval to work with sheep, but AgResearch did not undertake this work.

As the first of the current approvals expires in November 2008, AgResearch recently filed applications to ERMA for new approvals to continue and expand its transgenic livestock programme. These applications have recently been publicly notified and AgResearch is currently asking organisations or individuals who support its programme to make their views known to ERMA through its formal submissions process.

If the new approvals are granted they will enable AgResearch to further develop the existing technology and, in collaboration with commercial partners, use specific proteins expressed in the milk of transgenic cows and goats as nutraceutical ingredients and in biopharmaceuticals. Our strategy is to facilitate the development of a core capability in New Zealand for the production of high-value, specialist products for niche markets.  Nutraceuticals and bio-pharmaceuticals are two areas which we believe have significant potential.

All of this work is carried out in MAF approved and audited containment facilities. Transgenic animals are not permitted to be released into the New Zealand environment or allowed to interbreed with non-genetically modified animals outside the containment facilities. AgResearch’s containment facility at Ruakura has been operating without incident for eight years.

Once the submission process has concluded, ERMA will undertake its evaluation of these and the applications and if a public hearing is required, it will arrange for this to take place. ERMA will make a decision to approve or decline AgResearch’s applications following any hearing and due process as required under the HSNO Act.

I have attached an information sheet that should answer many of the questions you will have about this work. If you have other questions or comments, please contact me. You can telephone (03) 489 9228 or email jimmy.suttie@agresearch.co.nz.

For further information on AgResearch’s transgenic livestock programme visit http://www.agresearch.co.nz/transgenic/

Yours sincerely

Dr James M Suttie
General Manager with responsibility for Company Compliance