27 August 2001 Media Statement

Voluntary GM moratorium extended

The voluntary moratorium on applications for release and field testing of genetically modified organisms will be extended to October 31, Environment Minister, Marian Hobbs and Science Minister, Pete Hodgson, announced today.

The moratorium was to end this Friday but the New Zealand Life Sciences Network representing the biotechnology industry and research groups has offered to continue it until midnight on October 31.

"The moratorium was set to end three months after the Royal Commission reported, thus giving the government time to consider the commission's findings. But the Royal Commission was given an extension of time and reported almost two months later than planned.

"The government has already announced it would give a considered response to the Royal Commission's report by the 31st of October. Continuing the moratorium preserves the status quo and enables the government to make decisions without options being reduced.

"The government is grateful for the responsible position taken by Life Sciences Network," the Ministers said.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>