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GE Free New Zealand in Food &
Environment, 11th December 2003 NZ falling behind EU on Legal liability for GM Producers New Zealand should follow the lead of Europe and establish legal liability of GM food producers for contaminating other foods. On Tuesday (see article below) MP�s from the EU called for the European Commission to draw up new legislation which would require insurance cover against costs associated with any GM crops contaminating GE-free supplies. Last month New Zealand food producers were warned that some ingredients, especially soy, were so contaminated that GE-free labeling was becoming impossible. If allowed to continue this contamination would effectively deny consumers the right to choose GE-free foods and undermine the proposals of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification. In order to protect New Zealand�s agricultural sector, it is vital that companies promoting GE release are required to have insurance and are liable for damage to GE-free products. Representatives from industry lobby-group �The Life Sciences Network� claim that they have never said separation of GE ingredients would be 100% nor that consumers would be allowed to choose GE-free foods except with thresholds for contamination. �This makes a mockery of the Royal Commission�s backing of consumers� rights to choose GE-free foods, and threatens our international exports,� says Jon Carapiet from GE Free NZ in food and environment. Liability and insurance is a basic requirement to encourage the biotech
industry to follow the Precautionary Principle and prevent contamination |
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GE-Free New Zealandin food and environment (RAGE Inc.) |