Dr Paul Hutchison National Biotechnology Spokesperson
17 April 2003
Co-existence report supports lifting of moratorium
The Government must keep it's resolve and lift the GM moratorium on October 31st, says National's Biotechnology
spokesperson Dr Paul Hutchison.
"The release of papers today demonstrates that co-existence between genetically modified crops and conventional
agricultural crops is possible, and practical.
"The public should be aware that there is only likely to be a very limited number of applications for 'conditional
release' in the first instance, and that would only be under strict regulatory conditions. A step-by-step approach to
co-existence of GM is practical and wise.
"The Green Party call for zero tolerance is absolutely impractical and was rejected by the Royal Commission on Genetic
Modification.
"It is important that New Zealand follows the recommendations of the Royal Commission and while proceeding with caution,
does not let opportunities go by for our highly important agricultural and horticultural sector.
"It is also very important that the Government is not pressured by the Greens into developing highly complex regulations
that would make it nearly impossible for serious scientific opportunities to be progressed in New Zealand," said Dr
Hutchison.
Ends