GM Food Labelling - Safe food campaigners are describing a rule change on the labelling of genetically modified food as
toothless. The Australian New Zealand Food Standards Council has given its support in principle to compulsory labelling
of food with a detectable GM component. But exactly what will go on the packet, or the threshold for GM labelling has
yet to be established. The Green Party says a proposal to allow the phrase “might contain” on labels is a worry. It says
the “might contain” statement on the label allows manufacturers to hide behind it and not give consumers any information
at all.
Mother’s Call for Help - Kirsty Bentley’s mother is appealing to owners of green Commer vans to come forward so police
can make progress in their hunt for the Ashburton teenager’s killer. Police say a van similar to one seen following a
teenage girl walking a dog on New Year’s Eve, was seen near where the body of Kirsty Bentley was found four days later.
Mrs Bentley says she wants anyone with information about the fairly rare vans to contact police.
Joyrider Dies - A joyride has ended in death for a Waikato teenager. A 15 year old Matamata girl was killed when the
stolen car she and five others were travelling in veered off the road near Hamilton last night, crashing into a paddock.
A male teenager had critical head injuries, the other three passengers have moderate injuries. Police have not yet
released their names.