Associate Minister for the Environment, Phillida Bunkle today welcomed the new government's commitment to full, clear and unambiguous labelling of genetically engineered foods.

'When I introduced my labelling bill in 1997 and 1998 the then government said it could not be done. Now we will show it can,' said Phillida Bunkle

'The public will also welcome the commitment to a moratorium on commercial planting of genetically engineered crops. Fortunately there has not yet been any commercial planting or any application for commercial planting.'

'The government will tighten criteria for applications for the field trial of food crops. This is a wise and reassuring precaution in view of the 175 new in-house delegated decisions on genetic engineering experiments and the 14 new applications for field trials of food crops currently before ERMA.'

'However because of demonstrated high risks of trial containment breaches the Alliance will continue to pursue its policy of a complete moratorium on field trials,' said Phillida Bunkle.

Alliance MP Grant Gillon will reintroduce the Genetic Engineering Moratorium Bill, first introduced by Phillida Bunkle. It will be introduced as a members bill at the first opportunity in February 2000.

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