17 April 2001

Australian and New Zealand Greens will together oppose moves to establish a weaker food standards authority, following a unanimous resolution at the Global Greens conference yesterday.

Green MP Sue Kedgley said Green politicians recognised that proposed changes to the Australian New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) would undermine public health and reduce consumer protection and choice, by allowing food industry vested interests to potentially dominate the food standards authority.

The resolution called on the Australian and New Zealand Governments to amend legislation on both sides of the Tasman to ensure that public health and consumer protection are the overriding focus of the food standards authority.

"Australian Green senator Bob Brown will move amendments to give effect to this joint resolution in the Australian Parliament.

"New Zealand Greens will fight hard to see the changes debated in our own Parliament and for the right to move similar amendments," said Ms Kedgley. "New Zealanders need to be able to debate and make the decisions which affect our food supply, rather than simply signing off the changes in a treaty."

The joint resolution also stated that membership of the ministerial council which signs off the food standards should be restricted to health ministers, and not extended to agriculture or trade ministers.

ENDS

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