KIWIS CLAMOUR TO RETAIN BAN ON GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOOD
September 12, 2003
Agence France Presse
Jennifer Little
AUCKLAND - New Zealand's move towards lifting a ban on growing genetically
engineered (GE) crops has, according to this story, angered
environmentalists with some going as far as stripping in parliament to show
their displeasure.
The story says that some 69 percent of Kiwis oppose the government's
decision on the grounds that not enough is known about the long-term
consequences of altering the genetic composition of plants, according to a
recent Herald-Digi poll.
Many of New Zealand's four million people believe growing GE foods would run
counter to their national identity.
But the Labour government of Prime Minister Helen Clark is continuing
preparations for lifting the moratorium.
Environment Minister Marion Hobbs was quoted as saying in recent remarks to
the New Zealand Herald that, "Some things are about managing the risk and
trying to limit the risk. In this area we're into management of risk or
limitation of risk... as a descendant of people who risked their lives and
got into small boats and went from Ireland to New Zealand, I am not going to
say ever, 'Thou shalt not take any risks.'"
The country wears its green badge with pride, and has implemented policies
that are both environmentally sustainable and lucrative.
An Internet petition to extend the moratorium five years beyond its October
29 cut-off point netted 6,500 supporters in the first three days.
And a stripshow in parliament Wednesday by the Mothers Against GE
highlighted the opposition to lifting the ban.