Tue Oct 5 1999

The backdown by Monsanto on the terminator gene is a great victory against the indiscriminate use of Genetically Engineered Organisims (GEOs) but it is only the start.

'Monsanto has been one of the leading supporters of the use of GEOs, and has backed down in the face of one of the biggest anti competition lawsuits ever mounted,' Alliance health and Environmental Spokesperson Phillida Bunkle said.

'This back down to public pressure against the use of GEOs shows the strength of feeling across the world against using GEOs.

'It is too late for this government to change its spots on this issue. They have ignored my members bill that would create a Commission of Inquiry into genetic engineering and propose a moratorium on sale and release of GE foods during the Inquiry.

'GE foods will be a significant factor at this election. The government has dragged their feet in labelling GE foods, we still don't know for sure if our food is GE free. 'The Alliance is the only significant political party prepared to make a stand in support of food safety. All credible scientific opinion says there are no guarantees that GE foods are safe. We need to act now on GEOs before they are spread throughout our country,' Phillida Bunkle said.

ENDS

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