Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Greens: Loose With The Truth

There will be no release of genetically modified material into the New Zealand environment when the moratorium on GM applications ends on October 29, 2003, Environment Minister Marian Hobbs said today. Green Party advertising claims to the contrary were untrue.

"A painstaking process must be followed after the moratorium," Marian Hobbs said. "Before GM material is released into our environment all applications will first have to be considered by the Environmental Risk Management Authority.

"Nothing can happen until ERMA has considered each application carefully. This includes a public submission process. Stringent minimum standards to protect the environment must be met and the positive effects of the organism would have to outweigh any adverse effects.

"Food would also require approval by the Australia New Zealand Food Authority and this wouldn't be granted until the food has been tested and found safe."

Marian Hobbs said the Greens were being irresponsible and misleading by turning something complex into a simple yes or no for some hoped-for political advantage.

"To be rational is to be responsible in caring for our future," Marian Hobbs said.

"In consultation with the Greens we established a Royal Commission which conducted the most wide-ranging inquiry into genetic modification of any country. The commission produced a thorough and balanced report.

"We acted on the Royal Commission's recommendations and made the health and safety of New Zealanders paramount in deciding to adopt a precautionary approach. That approach has been carried through in the Act that's just been passed by Parliament.

"The Greens are being loose with the truth and playing politics with a complex issue. That is irresponsible and brings into question their political credibility."

Ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.