Posted on 31-7-2003

indiGEstible
PlaNet TV, 4 Aug03

Below are two articles in what is becoming a torrent of opposition to GE
foods in general and the lifting of a moratorium on release of GE organisms
into the environment in NZ in particular. PlaNet's latest TV programme,
screening first on Triangle TV in Auckland, 8.30pm Monday 4 August, is
called indiGEstible and features speakers at a GE Free New Zealand
organising forum held in Auckland last weekend.

The most salient point among many is the `dark force' type role being
played by the usual suspect, the current USA Inc. government and
administration. It becomes apparent during the programme that Helen Clark
is way out of step with New Zealand public opinion and on asking the
question, why? the answer emerges as a US offensive against anybody and any
thing that could threaten their control of global markets in general and
food in particular in this instance. The World Trade organisation (WTO) is
the vehicle for attack on any government that tries to assert any form of
national economic sovereignty. In yet another war, an economic war, being
waged on this planet Helen Clark has decided to side with the US, up until
now anyway.

Will the shadow of `real-politic' triumph over the forces of democratic
enlightenment? Maybe, maybe not. But one thing is certain, there is a lot
more to this GE thing than mother's milk and apple pie. Alan Marston

...................

Bellamy says lifting GE moratorium would be 'foolhardy' 29 July 2003, The
Southland Times

The Government would be "foolhardy in the extreme" if it allowed
genetically engineered crops to be grown in New Zealand from October, says
leading British ecologist David Bellamy. Professor Bellamy called on the
Government to extend the moratorium on GE field trials, due to be lifted in
October, for five years.

Delegates at the Local Government New Zealand conference in Queenstown
applauded yesterday as Prof Bellamy told them he "begged" the Government to
give scientists time to find out if GE organisms were safe. Not enough was
known about the effects of GE crops on both humans and the environment, he
said. The Government would be "foolhardy in the extreme" and risked
"trashing" 3.6 billion years of evolution by introducing GE organisms too
soon, he said. "Here we are sticking little bits of genes around the world
and we don't know what they can do," he said.

Mr Bellamy is a botany, ecology and environment consultant and was a
popular figure on BBC television science and nature programmes in the
1980s. New Zealand had nothing to lose by being cautious about GE crops, he
said. The country would not be left behind because companies could use GE
technology if it was eventually approved, he said. "As soon as they are
given the okay, you'll be able to pick them up then." But if things went
wrong with GE technology around the world, New Zealand
could have a serious advantage if it was still GE-free, he said. "You could
become the clean, green, seed bank to restock the ailing world."

Professor Bellamy said he had not spoken to anyone in the Government
directly. He had been asked by the Sustainability Council chairman, Peter
Elworthy, to join the anti-GE group. "But I said `I'm a pommy' and you have
your own good people here." Environment Minister Marian Hobbs' spokesman,
Trevor Henry, said the moratorium could not be extended. If the Government
wanted to prevent GE crops being grown, it would have to pass new
legislation and there were no plans to do so, he said.

Prof Bellamy also spoke against the Government's proposed levy to raise
funds for research into ways to mitigate methane emissions produced by
cattle. "Whoever has come up with the idea of a flatulence tax should ... I
was going to say `stop farting around', but I'll say `can it' instead." It
would be better to tax nitrogen produced in silted-up streams and use the
money to encourage farms to turn their waterways back into living
environments, he said.


Top chefs want NZ to be GM-free, 24 July 2003

Our country's culinary delights may currently be sought after and well
respected - but our leading chefs and food professionals warn that this
could all change if New Zealand says yes to becoming a GM crop producer.

Some of our biggest culinary names gathered at the Hilton's White
restaurant on July 24, to make their message clear to the public, by
launching a campaign for the country to remain a GM free food producer. The
Purefoodnz campaign launch was led by food writer Annabel Langbein, who
says the GM issue is of personal interest and concern to her, both as a
representative of the culinary profession and as a mother. "New Zealand is
a premiere food basket to the world," she says. "The integrity of our food
should be above reproach. "We are a nation that lives from exporting foods
and the world wants GM free food. To protect our markets and the integrity
of New Zealand's food for New Zealanders, NZ must remain a GM free food
producer. "Our clean, green image is not something that comes quickly or
easily".

Guest speaker Peter Gordon, co-owner and chef of the London-based
restaurant, the Providores and 'Tapa Room', expressed his distaste at New
Zealand becoming anything but GM free. "I don't know a single chef who'd
want this [GM] food. I can't see the point, why would you want this food?
There is no market for it," he said. Gordon referred to a case where in an
attempt to lower cholesterol, grains where genetically modified with the
insertion of oily fish genes. But if people are looking to lower their
cholesterol, "why don't they just eat the oily fish?" he said.

Langbein confirmed that taking a stance against GM, would not affect
medical or lab based advancements. "Remaining a GM free food producer will
in no way hold up advances in GM medicine or hinder other lab based GM
research that can benefit our agriculture and horticulture." A number of
Auckland's top chefs lined up to sign a petition against NZ becoming a GM
producer. Among those in line, was Lothar Haberkorn, the executive chef of
the Carlton restaurant. He said it was absolutely necessary for New Zealand
to take a GM free stance. "New Zealand is such a small country, it is so
easy to keep it GM free, the way it should be," he said.

The Purefoodnz charter, also launched on July 24, endorses New Zealand as a
GM free food producer. The charter will tour the country, with further
national events, aiming to collect endorsements from leading chefs and
other food professionals around New Zealand.