1 April 2004
Officials agree Trans-Tasman Treaty will cost jobs and increase prices
Consumers and the economy will pay a heavy price for the Government’s insistence on a Trans Tasman regulatory system for
Natural Health Products, according to a report by Ministry of Health officials released this week.
The National Interest Analysis was tabled as Government put a Trans-Tasman treaty signed late last year before
Parliament for ratification.
Opponents of the proposed Trans Tasman scheme have been claiming it would see products pulled from shelves, costs of
products go up and jobs disappear as many of the industry’s small players close down or relocate to Australia.
“After months of the industry saying it will be a disaster, finally officials have admitted that this proposal will see
consumers and the New Zealand economy suffer,” said Amy Adams, spokesperson for the NZ Health Trust.
“Health Minister Annette King appears determined to proceed with this destructive and counterproductive system, despite
intense opposition from industry, the public and the Health Select Committee.”
The NZ Health Trust is also angry that the National Interest Analysis claims that industry submissions were based on
misinformation, saying that the real misinformation in this case is coming from MedSafe officials.
“For example it claimed complimentary medicines need to be regulated in this way because the Pan Pharmaceuticals
situation proved that generally safe natural products can be dangerous if manufactured incorrectly” Mrs Adams said. “The
truth is that of more than 1200 products recalled, NOT ONE of the natural health products was found to be at fault. It
was only one pharmaceutical drug which was a problem.”
She said Government could expect more determined opposition. “Industry and consumers will not put up with natural health
products being sacrificed on the altar of Closer Economic Relations by a desperate Government.”
ENDS