Despite a risk to the economy and an undisclosed cost to taxpayers, field trials of genetically engineered plants and trials on animals have resulted in next to no commercial gains by Crown institutes. There have been 20 field trials approved by the Environmental Risk Management Authority since it began in 1998. [...] GE Free New Zealand spokeswoman Claire Bleakley said New Zealanders were being asked to bear the risk and potential cost for private overseas companies. “The CRIs are in essence renting out our valuable research space, using our expertise and taxpayer money for the commercial gain of their partners Monsanto, Genzyme, ArborGen. Whilst NZ taxpayer takes all the risks of pollution, GE failures, horrific animal suffering and cleanup costs.”