A transtasman coalition against genetically engineered food is forming today, with a press conference, including Australian members, in room 9.01, Bowen House, Wellington, at noon.

Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons, who will be one of the speakers at the press conference, is giving her support to the coalition, which will be called the Emergency Coalition Against Genetically Engineered Food. It will include a number of community and political groups on both sides of the Tasman.

"This large lobby group is essential because of the key decisions the official Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) is about to make over products on our supermarket shelves,"Ms Fitzsimons said.

"Next week, ANZFA looks likely to allow most genetically engineered food to continue to evade any labelling, arguing that such food is substantially equivalent to non-g-e products."

Other New Zealand speakers at the press conference will include Alliance health spokesperson Phillida Bunkle, Safe Food Campaign spokesperson Sue Kedgley, and Tony Martin of the Natural Food Commission.

ENDS

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