Welcome for Fonterra’s organic dairy
Auckland 3 October 2002: Fonterra’s pursuit of organic dairy is good news for the environment, human and livestock
health and New Zealand’s agricultural economy, Greenpeace said today.
“Fonterra and Greenpeace don’t see eye to eye on genetic engineering of cows but we are glad to see Fonterra recognising
the ‘positive outlook for organics’”, said Greenpeace GE campaigner Steve Abel.
“New Zealand has a fantastic opportunity with our existing reputation as a high quality natural food producer, to move
our agriculture towards real sustainability and at the same time cash in on the global organic demand,” said Abel.
Fonterra announced the production of its first organic dairy product yesterday and stated; “the global organic foods
business is expected to exceed US$11 billion this year.” and New Zealand sales of organic products are growing fast.
“It is somewhat ironic that the UK Soil Association recently estimated that GE crops had cost the US economy US$11
billion in subsidies and lost markets,” said Abel.
“Greenpeace is glad to see Fonterra is investing something on the positive side of those two outlooks.”
ENDS
Steve Abel GE Campaigner 021 565 175 Brendan Lynch Media Officer 021 790 817.