Media Release
23 October 2003

Bill To Extend Ge Moratorium On Foodstuffs

New Zealand First MP Hon Brian Donnelly is putting forward a Private Members Bill for the next ballot extending the GE moratorium on foodstuffs for another two years.

The Bill calls for a restriction on the Environmental Risk Management Authority from considering or approving applications for commercial release of any GE product that could directly or indirectly enter the food chain when the current moratorium is lifted on October 30 2003.

“The purpose of the Bill is to extend the moratorium on foodstuffs because of widespread concern that safety has not been demonstrated. ERMA has also not shown that it has the capacity to adequately assess economic risk of release of GE foodstuffs,” said science and technology spokesperson, Brian Donnelly.

“New Zealand First is concerned about the perceptions of consumers in some of our major overseas markets if the moratorium is lifted and foodstuffs are able to be approved for commercial release.

“It is highly unlikely that there will be any applications within the next two years. Therefore it is stupid to risk our economy to allow for a highly unlikely event.

“We need to make it clear to overseas consumers that there is no likelihood that foodstuffs from New Zealand could be contaminated by GE - food.

“We have New Zealand’s larger interests in mind and see this as the only option to avoid possible disaster further down the road,” said Mr Donnelly.

ENDS

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