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Free New Zealand in Food & Environment,
18th March 2005
Defeat of GE Moratorium Bill Threatens Biotech Future
The vote in Parliament against reinstating the GE moratorium is
bad news for biotechnology proponents and New Zealand as a whole,
and could put the country on track for civil unrest.
The vote threatens to undermine promotion of biotechnology through
a $150 million investment fund announced last week because it signals
to the New Zealand public that ethical constraints on the technology,
including containment of GE organisms and acceptance of full liability
are being subverted.
"Public acceptance of ethical uses of biotechnology will be
undermined by the push for GE release in New Zealand," says
Jon Carapiet from GE Free NZ in food and environment.
"Any investment in GE that does not meet basic ethical standards,
that is forced on people, or has long-term impacts on the environment
and New Zealand's clean-green brand is doomed to failure. Investment
must be focussed on contained applications and using our understanding
of genomics to' work with the grain of nature' as Prince Charles
once put it".
There are fears public rejection of even ethical applications will
increase if investors and the Government continue to ignore the
New Zealand public in the rush for profits. It is vital the $150
million is not mis-directed into inappropriate projects that go
against community values and the national interest.
ERMA (the Environmental Risk Management Agency) admits that the
widespread public sentiment against GE release- including within
Maori- makes civil unrest likely if any such release is imposed
on the New Zealand public.
Public opposition to release is also supported by the scientific
community in New Zealand, according to the findings of a recent
MORST-funded study "Hands Across the Water". ERMA is struggling
to rebuild dialogue with community groups and scientists who have
been boycotting the organisation because of its flawed approach
to regulation.
Since the original moratorium lapsed there has been a de facto moratorium
in New Zealand with no applications for full environmental release
and more and more evidence of GE failure overseas.
The People's Moratorium Enforcement Agency has also been established
to give voice to the concerns of the majority of New Zealanders
who support a moratorium on release, accept ethical uses of GE in
full containment, and oppose GE commercial release to protect the
National interest.
Biotech investors will need to work hard to reassure the public
their projects are indeed ethical and safe, or risk Public rejection
and market failure.
ENDS
Jon Carapiet 0210 507 681
Reference: Reported Vote in Parliament:
A party vote was called for on the question, That the Hazardous
Substances and New Organisms (Genetically Modified Organisms Moratorium
Reinstatement) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. Ayes 25
New Zealand First 13; Green Party 9; Progressive 2; Maori Party
1. Noes 95 New Zealand Labour 51; New Zealand National 27; ACT New
Zealand 9; United Future 8.
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