Clean green image will be wrecked unless government goes with the flow
GE Free New Zealand are appealing to the New Zealand government to join the rest of the world in supporting the
labelling of genetically engineered organisms traded between nations.
At the meeting for the signatories to the Cartagena Biosafety Protocol in Brazil, the New Zealand government is seeking
to deny developing countries and the rest of the world from putting in place mechanisms that will limit the flow of
unwanted living GE organisms used for food.
This goes against everything New Zealand stands for both internationally and at home. Our government purportedly
supports good democratic process and quality exports; yet refuses to acknowledge the wishes of the New Zealand public,
at least 3/4 of whom do not want anything to do with GE. Any action which blocks consensus also jeopardises our thriving
export economy and tourist trade, and threatens to bring boycotts from some of our more environmentally aware and most
lucrative markets.
There appears to be only one explanation for our government's stance. US exports of food are shunned in the EU, since
many consumers will not buy contaminated GE foods, ending up in Asia, China or dumped in developing countries, where
many are concerned about such imports posing a danger to their own exports and food security. Our government were warned
not to label GE foods by US ambassador Josiah Beeman as far back as 1998 and have been 'advised' on GE issues ever
since.
A recent report documented widespread contamination, illegal plantings from 113 incidents in 39 countries worldwide and
their frequency is increasing.Incidents included crops being contaminated by GE pharmaceutical variants and unapproved
crops and transgenic pig meat ending up in the food supply.
"Without proper identification and documentation we will see more of these events worldwide, it is up to our government
to do the right thing" said Claire Bleakley of GE Free New Zealand.
ENDS