12 July 2002

The Quality Of Our Food Should Not Be A State Secret!

Future New Zealand Governments should give careful consideration to the implication of Genetic Engineering advances to avoid moral, social and agricultural ramifications according Christian Heritage Party Leader Graham Capill.

In launching the party’s Agriculture policy in the seat of Rakaia with candidate Roger Payne, Mr Capill said the current speculation surrounding the legal and moral effects of GE was playing right into the Greens’ hands and would put undue pressure on the future of New Zealand’s agriculture, horticulture and the fishing industries

“The economic prosperity of New Zealand depend on these industries and must be protected,” Mr Capill.

“If successful in the forthcoming election, CHP will work towards the mandatory labelling of genetically modified food and lobby for complete openness in all matter relating to GE.

“The quality of our food should not be a state secret.

“We also advocate an environmentally sensitive approach to agricultural policy to protect our “clean green image’. To foster this image, farming practices should be sustainable not only economically but also environmentally so that we can satisfy the expanding world market for natural food stuffs.

The focus of CHP’s Agricultural policy includes:

- More investment in bio security. Destructive organisms must be prevented from entering the country.

- More encouragement of organic farming. This growing demand should be met.

- Some restrictions on future land holding by foreign nationals not resident in New Zealand. Future New Zealanders should also be able to benefit from our best assets.

Mr Capill said he believed regional voters would embrace CHP as an alternative to the current bickering over the role of the Greens in a future Parliament.

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