A New Zealand group has warned outdoor field trials of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) could threaten the Hawke's Bay region's growers, newspaper The Dominion Post reported.

Pure Hawke's Bay includes the area's largest horticultural industry players and has called on the region's five councils to ban genetically-engineered production, the story reported.

Group spokesperson John Bostock has asked the Hastings District Council to fund studies into how the ban's implementation could be a part of its 10-year district plan from 2013, while the Whangarei District Council have indicated a ban is likely, the story reported.

"We're not talking about genetic modification in the lab, or medicine. We're talking about genetically modified organisms released outdoors into the Hawke's Bay environment," Bostock was quoted as saying.

"I grow, pack and export large volumes of produce all around the world and I can tell you consumers are increasingly concerned about food safety."

The group now plans to make presentations to the district councils of Napier, Wairoa and Central Hawke's Bay.

Related story: Both sides claim 'misinformation' in Chile's GM debate

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