26 June 2002

Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons today said a number of National Party supporters have told her they will be switching their party vote to the Greens over the party's commitment to keep GE out of the environment.

"Much has been made over the suggestion that National voters are swinging to Labour but the comments I am getting from people on the ground show that National supporters also want to keep GE in the lab and are switching their support to the Greens to make sure that happens," said Ms Fitzsimons.

"There is growing support for the Green position across the political spectrum as Kiwis think about what the loss of our unique GE-free position could mean for our international image, our tourism, our farming and our economy."

Ms Fitzsimons said it was unfortunate that well over half of all New Zealanders who wanted to keep New Zealand's environment GE-free were being represented by just one political party which so far has had just five per cent of MPs.

"People are realising that next year both the Labour and National Parties are committed to lifting the moratorium on the release of genetically engineered organisms into our environment and they support the Green stand against allowing that to happen."

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