Green Party co-leader James Shaw says that genetic engineering is not a "purely scientific" argument.

Federated Farmers spokesman Andrew Hoggard came out this week and criticised the Green Party's apparent unwillingness to even have a discussion on the potential of genetic engineering to provide solutions to some of the country's most pressing environmental issue, calling their response 'extremely disappointing'. 

"Terse answers from Climate Change Minister James Shaw to Parliamentary questions this week indicate the Greens find the GE topic too hot to handle, but discussions on pragmatic and science-based policies should not be held to ransom by merely trying to keep a vocal section of your political party's membership happy," he said.

There had been "plenty" of media reports about a ryegrass developed by NZ AgResearch using gene editing, which could substantially reduce methane emissions from cattle, he added. Under current laws the grass could not be grown in New Zealand, however, and field trials were having to take place in the United States.

Speaking with The Country's Jamie Mackay, Shaw says that he has noted that a number of leading scientists who are advocating for gene editing. 

Amongst them is former Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor, Sir Peter Gluckman, who thinks that New Zealand agriculture would struggle to be sustainable in the long-term without using gene editing.

However, Shaw says there are other options we have access to to help reduce emissions. 

He says that there are commercial issues as well. 

"In the Hawke's Bay, you've got a strong move for a pure, organic brand as they think that will be of higher value, and they are concerned that moves towards gene editing in that area would lower the value of food produced in the area."