Press Release
Libertarianz Party
Friday, 28 July, 2000

Labelling Claims Show Greens' Colours - Libz

Greens' spokeswomen Sue Kedgley's ill informed ranting about labelling once again demonstrates her complete inability to grasp reality, says Libertarianz Leader Peter Cresswell, and clearly shows her authoritarian streak.

"With Australian and New Zealand Health Ministers currently meeting in Auckland to discuss the protocol for GE labelling, the best we can hope for is a labelling regime equivalent to the European Directive 49/2000 and 50/2000. The E.U. directives require the absence of any genetically modified protein or DNA in food ingredients as determined by the PCR test or similar method."

"The E.U. standard has become the benchmark for international food ingredient trade. Given the diminutive size of the New Zealand market it would be ludicrous to adopt a labelling regime unique to New Zealand. It's hard enough for manufacturers to make a sustainable profit in this market as it is," he points out.

However, there is on fact no need for the compulsion of any imposed labelling regime," says Cresswell. "If people want to buy their food labelled, then let them do so. That people aren't buying foods that are currently labelled gives the lie to Ms Kedgley's claims of widespread support for labelled foods. If there is sufficient demand," he says, "then manufacturers will no doubt wish to satisfy the market; that there are only 126 products on the NZ market currently labelled GE Free - none of them big sellers - suggests the demand is wildly overstated. That large numbers of people are not buying labelled foods suggests most people are not the Luddites Kedgley would wish them to be."

"There is no scientific data identifying any risks to individual's health from genetically modified ingredients - but there is substantial information demonstrating the toxicity of green ideas." Cresswell advises: "We should buy the one, and ignore the other!"

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Peter Cresswell Leader, Libertarianz Party 025 861 927 e-mail: organon@ihug.co.nz

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