|
|
GE
Free New Zealand in Food & Environment, 31st January
2006
NZ Under Threat for Joining "Axis Of Evil" on Terminator
New Zealand's backing for Terminator technology at the meeting of the UN
Convention on Biodiversity in Spain has seriously threatened this country's
international reputation.
New Zealand has been condemned for joining an "axis of evil" with Australia,
and is accused of deliberately undermining international consensus for a
moratorium on sterilisation technology like "Terminator".
Reports from NGO observers at the conference in Spain says New Zealand
backed Australia in lobbying for what appear to be US interests seen to be
advising their representatives.
" If it is true and New Zealand is seen as supporting Terminator technology
even 'on a case by case basis' we will be betraying the family of nations,
and future generations," says Jon Carapiet from GE Free NZ in food and
environment.
Such is the worldwide community rejection of 'Terminator' and other gene
patent control techniques, that New Zealand could become the target of
international boycotts of its products for undermining a global moratorium.
The international community voted to stop Terminator given concern about the
deleterious consequences of sterility techniques, including ending farmers'
rights to save and re-sow seed, harming insect and bird life which depend on
pollen and seed for survival, and the probability that terminator genes will
contaminate other genus species through inadequate segregation and
harvesting procedures. The increasing control by multinational companies of
the global food supply will also have a profound effect on farmers in all
countries, including New Zealand.
"New Zealand business benefit from our ' brand' values by billions of
dollars, but our government's unethical backing for Terminator puts that
reputation seriously at risk," says Mr Carapiet.
"Boycotts of New Zealand products would harm our economy and action is
urgently needed by the government to prevent our country becoming an
international pariah because of its support for Terminator."
ENDS
Media contact Jon Carapiet 0210 507 681
Reference
UN Meeting Undermines Moratorium on Terminator: Goal to Approve Terminator
is Now Clear
January 28, 2006
http://www.banterminator.org
ETC Group
Ban Terminator Campaign
News Release- 27 January 2006
http://www.etcgroup.org
http://www.banterminator.org
Back
to Press Release Directory
|
|
