New Zealand trade officials and diplomats are taking part in a pro-GE campaign aimed at influencing the outcome of the
Royal Commission on Genetic Engineering, Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said today.
"It's disgraceful that officials and diplomats who are employed to represent the interests of the public are spending
their work hours spreading pro-GE propaganda," Ms Fitzsimons said. "Our taxes pay these people - and that just rubs salt
into the wound."
The New Zealand consulate in Canada has sent out a questionnaire from the pro-GE lobby group NZ Lifesciences Network to
Canadian scientists, with an accompanying letter from the consulate. The questionnaire asks about tactics, strategies
and political connections of opponents of genetic engineering, and also about strategies used by "Life Sciences
advocates" to gain public, political and media acceptance of genetic engineering. An accompanying booklet from Tradenz
sets out background information on the New Zealand biotech industry.
Ms Fitzsimons said the Lifesciences Network, a network of New Zealand biotech research organisations including
universities, was winding up for a classic Timberlands-style public relations campaign.
"One of their questions asks about the public perception of the term "life sciences", and whether scientists are aware
of a more "acceptable terminology". Genetic engineering and even biotechnology are now seen as dirty words to be avoided
at all costs by pro-GE groups," said Ms Fitzsimons.
"They may use sanitised words, but it's still the same technology and consumers still have the same ethical and safety
concerns about it."
Ms Fitzsimons said the Lifesciences Network had showed a contempt for the laws of the country this week, when they
derided the recall of a genetically engineered cholera vaccine which had been illegally released without Environmental
Risk Management Authority approval.
In a press release, the Lifesciences Network said the recall "doesn't make sense" and was to done to "satisfy the
political needs of the anti-GMO lobby".
"Which part of illegal doesn't make sense to them?" asked Ms Fitzsimons. "This product has been released illegally, and
so the Government had no choice but to withdraw it from use."
Ms Fitzsimons said this was the start of an orchestrated campaign by pro-GE lobby groups to influence the outcome of the
Royal Commission. "I encourage all New Zealanders to make their own views heard, so that the outcome reflects the true
views of our society."
Ms Fitzsimons said she was also very disappointed that Tradenz, a board intended to foster the best trade outcomes for
New Zealand, was continuing to openly back genetic engineering before the Royal Commission had taken place.
Papers available on request
Jeanette Fitzsimons MP: or 025 586 068 or 07 868 6641 (this evening) Gina Dempster, press secretary: 04 470 6723 or 021
1265 289