Media Release
30 October 2001
GE Debate Just Commencing-Peters
The New Zealand First Caucus has today debated at length the decision of the Government to continue the moratorium on
the commercialization of genetically modified substances and to permit an opening up of field trials of activities
previously confined to the laboratory.
“We are supportive of the Government’s position on GE. However we remain unconvinced that the present structures and
monitoring of trials is sufficiently independent and robust that we can give it total support,” explained the Leader, Rt
Hon Winston Peters.
“Only the most closely monitored and controlled field testing should be undertaken, and even then, only with independent
oversight by Internationally recognised authorities. Agencies with a vested interest of a commercial nature,
particularly multi-nationals with an unenviable record in the conducting of their affairs in the area of GE, must be
kept at arms length from the monitoring process. This would decrease substantially the concerns of ordinary New
Zealanders and NZ First has pledged to pursue this as a prerequisite to any field trial extensions,” Mr Peters said.
“ Even then, only applications which have been thoroughly researched and approved as safe, appropriate and necessary and
demonstrating a low risk, high advantage to New Zealand and New Zealanders, could be supported to begin field trials”,
he said.
“Given the lack of precise and totally reliable information surrounding the whole spectrum of GE, and the existence of
significantly differing viewpoints between so many of the ‘experts’ in this area of science, New Zealand First has
resolved to adopt, on behalf of its constituency, a position of opposition to any unilateral extension of genetic
modification into the areas of commercial release of plants or animals”, Mr Peters stated.
“Experimentation in any form carries with it certain risks and in the case of GE, we have to be assured that every
reasonable step necessary to guarantee our safety and the security of our export industries has been considered before
any trials or scientific experimentation of such matters, is even contemplated, let alone commenced,” he said.
“The dangers of getting any rogue GE micro-organisms or unintended cross fertilization into our everyday food supplies,
pose a potentially very serious threat to the well-being of all New Zealanders and accordingly, any such potential must
be eliminated”, Mr Peters said.
“The need to ensure the primacy of safety for New Zealanders is axiomatic and is not negotiable, and under no
circumstances, must the New Zealand Government abandon its obligation to its people in that regard.
Meanwhile associated aspects of GE such as the labeling of foodstuffs containing modified substances must be introduced
immediately in order that we can tell at a glance, whilst products are on the shelves, just what it is that we may be
subjecting ourselves and our families too. We will be seeking the assurance of the Government to implement such a
labeling regime forthwith and to bring her Minister of Health into line with view of the vast majority of New Zealanders
who are demanding the right to be informed as to the contents of foodstuffs purchased. It is just not good enough for
the New Zealand Health Minister to be led by the nose by Australian Ministers as she was in respect to this matter only
last week, when she informed us that she had reluctantly had to go along with the majority within the ANZFA committee ”,
stated Mr Peters.
“New Zealand First will ensure either the exemption provisions of the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act are
implemented, or if necessary, that the Act is amended in order to preserve New Zealand’s independence and sovereignty
over such matters are maintained, Concluded Mr Peters.
ENDS