Max Salmon: We need some easy wins - Liberalising GMOs could be one

New Zealand could use some easy wins. A miasma of slow stagnation appears to be settling over the country. We need an injection of economic vigour.

Fortunately, there is low-hanging fruit within reach – liberalising our Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) regulations.

New Zealand’s history with GMO has been difficult.

Max Salmon: Modifying a failing regulatory system

It is time we liberalised our Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) regulations.

Benefits to New Zealand would include pest-resistant crops, more productive crops and fruit, sterile pines for forestry, reduced carbon emissions, reduced agricultural methane, better healthcare products, cheaper medication, and pest control.

Yet these are only a few of the benefits that could be realised with existing technology. More are sure to follow as other countries continue to liberalise their regulations and invest in further research.