Remit from Rural Women
PSRG support the remit passed by Rural Women opposing the removal of the moratorium on genetic engineering in October.
PSRG is also concerned about the sustainability of rural communities, economically and environmentally. Genetic
engineering biotechnology has major implications in these areas.
There is strong consumer rejection of genetically engineered foods by overseas markets, and those markets have given a
clear indication that commercial release of transgenic crops would significantly damage the New Zealand 'clean green'
image and undermine our existing assets.
Experience has shown that keeping transgenic crops separate from non-GE varieties is impossible. Contamination will
occur. This would significantly affect the incomes of farming families that have not adopted GE agriculture.
Keeping our agriculture and environment free of transgenic releases would not affect the advancement or benefits of GE
medical research. PSRG strongly advocates keeping genetic engineering experimentation in the laboratory.
Releasing genetically engineered organisms into the environment will put at risk current export returns from
conventional agriculture and horticulture because of the certainty of irreversible contamination of other like plants
and soil.