INDEPENDENT NEWS

Greens Should Get A Grip On Reality

Published: Mon 7 Jul 2003 03:49 PM
Greens Should Get A Grip On Reality
ACT New Zealand Rural Affairs Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff today recommended that Biosecurity Minister Jim Sutton take a minute to encourage the Green Party and Sustainability Council to get a grip on reality.
"The Greens' scaremongering tactics over miniscule amounts of GE material - that may, or may not, have emanated from New Zealand - is designed to prey on the public's fears," Mr Eckhoff said.
"The real problem is not genetically-modified organisms, but the regular incursion of unwanted organisms such as fire ants, mosquitoes, varroa mites, painted apple moths and the like.
"If the Greens' tenuous grip of biosecurity issues is going to focus on genetically-modified organisms, then they will leave the back door wide open for real disasters like plum pox disease and foot-and-mouth.
"More than 66 million hectares of GE crop is grown worldwide, and this is increasing daily. Genetically-modified organisms pose no health risks. Focusing on the GE issue puts our economy at risk, as it detracts from the real to the welfare of every single New Zealander - the economic collapse of our economy, should foot-and-mouth enter New Zealand" Mr Eckhoff said.

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