Food Authority Blocks Community Groups from 'Community Forum'

Consumer groups are calling for New Zealand to quit ANZFA (Australia and New Zealand Food Authority) after being locked out of an Auckland meeting being promoted by ANZFA as a 'community forum'.

The conference is being held at the Hyatt Regency at 3pm, Tuesday 25th July. Community groups and members of the public excluded from the meeting will rally outside the conference. A representative of the environment group Friends of the Earth, who have been allowed to attend, will read out statements from the groups.

They condemn the ANZFA process and demand the implementation of full labelling for GE foods, requested by the Health Minister 18 months ago.

'ANZFA are showing their true colours as being under the influence of the pro-GE food industry. They have repeatedly ignored thousands of submissions from the public and now on the eve of the Health Minister's final ruling, are staging a fake 'community forum', said Claire Insley, one of the protesters, 'New Zealand is being poorly served by ANZFA and if they try to back down on labelling again, the only outcome should be for New Zealand to withdraw from the authority entirely'

Protest will take place at : The Hyatt Regency Princes St Tuesday 25th July 2.30 – 5.30pm

For further information please contact: Claire Insley Tel: 815 9869

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