The Government is toughening the rules on genetically-modified organisms.
It is requiring such organisms to be fully segregated from other organisms and to be fully traceable after they are released.
The regulations were announced on Thursday and will be effective from November.
They mean that when the Environmental Risk Management Authority receives an application for conditional release of a modified organism, the applicant will have to show how it will be kept separate from other organisms and how it can be traced later if needed.
Minister for the Environment Trevor Mallard says the changes are the result of an agreement with the Green Party.
