12 May 2005

NZ Authorities Silent on "Unbelievable Sloppiness!" as EU blockades GM Corn

New Zealand Consumers are being denied information and protection by Food Safety officials at the same time as European officials are taking action to prevent illegal BT10 corn imports. Germany's Consumer Protection Minister has blamed the US for "unbelievable sloppiness!" in allowing contamination of the food system by Bt10- an illegal form of GE corn.

The German Minister's hard-hitting critcism in 'Spiegel' is another signal that New Zealand authorities are failing in their responsibilties to uphold the law and protect public health by refusing to take any action.

Silence from our own Health and Consumer Ministers are a betrayal of their duties to the New Zealand public. The Food Standards Authority based in Australia ( FSANZ) are now using "Article 15" of the Austalian Freedom of Information Act to block information being released to New Zealand organisations and individuals.

"The Bt 10 contamination is a case-study in deceit and failure of the regulatory system," says Jon Carapiet from GE Free NZ in food and environment. The attempt by officials to deny access to information because "you have to have an Australian address" is a sign of what is to come if action is not taken to close the legal loophole allowing freedom of information legislation to be cynically undermined."

ENDS

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