Greens wrong about NZ's liability rules
Environment Minister Marian Hobbs says Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons is wrong in her claims about New
Zealand's liability rules and GMOs, and also mistaken about New Zealand's stance at the Montreal meeting of parties to
the Cartagena Protocol.
"First of all, there was no proposal at Montreal to impose a strict liability on manufacturers of genetically modified
organisms. The focus of a working group on liability and redress was primarily on process and New Zealand wants all
options considered," Marian Hobbs said.
"Jeanette Fitzsimons has used as the basis for her own comments the incorrect statements of a Malaysian delegate about
New Zealand's stance at the conference. This is very foolish.
"Our officials in Montreal are taking a position consistent with New Zealand's interests. We have not said 'no' to
liability rules but we want a proper analysis before signing up to liability rules that could turn into de facto trade
barriers.
"Secondly Jeanette is incorrect to claim in her press release that 'in New Zealand there is no general liability for
causing human health or economic harm through the release or indiscriminate application of Genetically Modified
Organisms, unless there is a specific law that has been broken'.
"That liability statement is incorrect. New Zealand's normal liability rules could be relied upon if someone wanted to
take legal action for harm caused by GMOs even though no law had been broken. The strict civil liability regime kicks in
once the HSNO Act has been breached.
"In the lead-up to the election it would be Jeanette's dream to revive the GM issue. Relying on false information and
making incorrect statements about our law won't do that.
"The government's position on GM remains consistent – preserving opportunities for the future while proceeding
cautiously."