Posted on 27-9-2002
Good
Intentions Pave The Road To ...
GE Consultation risks going round in circles on issues of Liability
and
deliberately ignores lessons from overseas. Guaranteeing existence
GE-free
organisms is the true test of authority's credibility. The MFE
consultation
document on the HSNO act, including "conditional release" of
Genetically
Modified Organisms, is setting New Zealand on a road to hell
albeit paved
with apparent 'good' intentions.
There are already signals that Authorities are deliberately
ignoring
evidence on GE contamination from overseas by even considering
"
conditional release". Co-existence of GE and Non-GE systems
is becoming
impossible. "The idea of containing GM organisms through conditions
on
release is nonsense. Buffers have proved not to work, and beekeepers
have
found their honey contaminated by GE crops many kilometres away.
We have
international contamination of seeds and the food supply to
the point where
GE-free food cannot even be guaranteed. Those wanting to avoid
GE
technology are lumbered with a kind of "technology tax" in the
form extra
costs for segregation and labelling", says Jon Carapiet, a spokesperson
for GE-Free NZ (in food
and environment).
ERMA's and the Government's credibility are on the line because
of their
support for the notion of conditional release. " They must think
they are
"Miracle workers" who are able to contain the spread of GE constructs,
when nobody else in the world has been able to do so." says
Mr Carapiet.
"There is clear evidence that the best strategic direction for
Biotechnology in Aotearoa/ New Zealand is to pursue ethical
applications in
containment and leave our production systems GE-Free". "Maintaining
the
supply of GE-free organisms- including GE-Free food-will be
the true test
of authority's credibility. So far they are failing: already
GE-free
products are under threat".
Of major concern is the discussion on Liability that appears
to be going
around in circles. There has already been a detailed report
on Liability
from Chen and Palmer following the Royal Commission's initial
review. The
Crown Law Office has also compiled a major report indicating
the need for
legislative reform relating to GM Liability. Yet the consultation
document
states the Ministry has " not formed a view about liability
and are not
proposing any changes". " It is time the government took action
to end the
public's subsidy of the biotechnology industry. Biotech companies
want to
patent GE organisms but will not accept liability for damage.
They are
side-stepping a normal cost of doing business, which is also
a vital
moderating influence " says Jon Carapiet.
The consultation document is expected to raise widespread concern
because of
other indicators of government thinking. " They are talking
about
'Pharming' herds of GE cows to produce pharmaceuticals but are
ignoring
contamination at the micro-biological level. They are considering
'Terminator' genes that make seeds barren without mention that
bees will
still take theGE pollen to their hives," says Mr Carapiet. However,
the
consultation also signals the possibility of positive moves
to improve
biosecurity. Funding for enforcement of existing laws may be
increased.
The Ministerial powers allowing GE applications to be "called
in" will also
be reviewed, as will the length of time allowed to ERMA to consider
applications, and to mount prosecutions for breaches of the
law. " It is
not all bad, but the outcome will be more of a credibility-test
for this
government than even the Royal Commission. The issues are of
international
importance," says Mr Carapiet," and the world is watching."
Contact Jon Carapiet 09 815 3770
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