Posted on 28-10-2003

Geeze

Auckland, Sunday 26 October, 2003: “The latest GE bread to Japan
contamination incident makes a total farce of government claims that New
Zealand is ready for lifting the GE moratorium,” said Greenpeace GE
spokesperson Steve Abel today. “Government haven’t even sorted out the
management or implications of imported GE organisms such as corn seed and
enzymes in our food and exports, yet they say we are ready to grow GE crops
in New Zealand fields.” “This ‘she’ll-be-right’ GE attitude has become a
total joke that could already be costing New Zealand millions,” said Abel.

What does the shutting of 120 Subway stores in Tokyo because of GE do to
New Zealand’s reputation in Japan? Who can quantify the cost to New
Zealand’s export brand and who is liable for that cost? “In fact Yarrows
are probably a victim of weak import laws,” Says Abel.

Currently New Zealand has no traceability requirement of non-viable GE
foodstuffs imported into New Zealand. GE soy feed is also imported without
any labelling or documentation required so producers may not even know that
they are using GE inputs in their production. This places New Zealand
producers and exporters a significant step behind Europe where all GE
organism derived imports must now be documented and traced.

Greenpeace says responsibility for this incident probably belongs squarely
at the feet of government. “Ultimately the health, environment and
international reputation of New Zealand is the responsibility of the Prime
Minister. Clark’s government must be held liable for any cost or harm
caused by poor laws that allow unlabelled GE imports and by release of GE
into New Zealand’s fields and food chain.” “This GE bread incident again
highlights in glaring light just how sensitive markets are to the
technology and for government to continue to deny that GE is bad for brand
New Zealand in the face of this latest incident is ridiculous.” “The fact
the minister (Hobbs) doesn’t even know who's jurisdiction this GE enzyme
comes under shows just how unprepared the government are for allowing GE
release in our land ­ and that is exactly why the GE moratorium should be
kept in place,” concluded Abel.