Federated Farmers of New Zealand President Alistair Polson is appalled at the lax standards of journalism displayed in GM could Cost NZ Billions, Says Report, Dominion, 21 August 2001.

Journalist Christine Langdon quotes Green Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimon as saying that "every organic grower that came to the royal commission told them that they would lose their market if we allowed the release of GE crops."

"This statement is not true," said Mr Polson.. A good journalist would have done some background research and found that Tom Lambie, an Organic Dairy Farmer and Peter Corish, an Australian successfully growing GE cotton and organic soya on the same property, both presented to the Royal Commission and did not support Ms Fitzsimon's statement.

"Ms Fitzsimon's credibility as a reliable source must be questionable. She is after all Co-Leader of the party that gave evidence to the Royal Commission that was later proved to be false.

As a commercial Organic Dairy Farmer, FFNZ Vice President Tom Lambie stressed to the Royal Commission the importance of adopting a policy "that supports and reinforces the right of producers to adopt the most sustainable production system appropriate to the resources they have available."

"The Greens pushed hard for the Royal Commission," said Mr Polson. "Now after $6 million dollars have been spent and considerable effort put into allowing the public to participate the Green's are rejecting its findings."

"The Royal Commission did not produce a no holds barred recommendation for the release of genetically modified organisms into the environment as the Green Party would imply. Rather a recommendation to preserve opportunities and encourage the coexistence of all forms of agriculture."

"The quality of the Commission's decision deserves a rational response," said Mr Polson. "The report does not provide victory or defeat for any factional interests but is a resounding win for 'choice'."

It is time to focus on building New Zealand's international reputation as an innovative culture with a strong scientific base to its agricultural industry that supports all production options.

ENDS

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