Posted on 15th November

Supermarket v Mayor Harvey
From GE-Free NZ, photo shows Bob Harvey

Public Backing expected for Mayors' "GM boycott" as Supermarket looks to
law to block consumer action. In what appears to be an astonishing attack
on basic consumer rights supermarket chain 'Woolworths' is reported to be
taking legal advice against a call from Waitakere City Mayor Bob Harvey for
people to boycott GM foods.
In a report from the National Business News ( Nov 9) Woolworths New Zealand
marketing director Des Flynn is reported to have said "It could make
business tail off,". A spokeperson for GE-Free NZ said "Though legal action
seems unlikely, any threat from the supermarket to block consumers
exercising their right to choose and to use boycotts to voice their
concerns to retailers via how they spend their money, will be hard-fought".

Woolworths, a major employer which also runs Big Fresh, and Price Chopper
supermarkets, is reported to be worried it will lose business after Mr
Harvey's comments. The fact that consumer have already sent clear messages
to retailers about their wish to have no GE foods seems to have been
ignored by Woolworths. Other retailers such as Foodtown and most major
manufacturers are believed to have spent the last 18 months purging their
products of GE ingredients. " Even Nestle are supposedly getting rid of
their GE ingredients. If Woolworths have ignored market signals it is their
own fault", said Auckland researcher Jon Carapiet. " In the lead up to the
December 7th labelling date there will be huge increase in public interest
in what companies are putting in our food. If Woolworths don't act quickly
to ensure their products are GE-Free then ironically - because of their
response to Mr. Harvey's comments- they may have singled themselves to the
vast majority of consumers rejecting GE - as a company to avoid". Partial
labelling of GE foods is due to commence on 7th December though products
currently being produced have been exempted, as have all foods sold at
bakeries, cafes and restaurants. The GE content in these outlets will only
be revealed if consumers ask, but retailers will be required to know what
GE they are using, and to tell their customers.