WIRES:

A Call For A Stop To Imports Of Sweet Corn Seed

Wednesday, 12 May 2004, 12:54 am
Press Release: SOIL and HEALTH Assn of NZ

The SOIL & HEALTH Assn of NZ (Inc)
Publishers of Organic NZ
email:info@organicnz.pl.net

The Soil and Health Association of New Zealand is calling for a stop to imports of sweet corn seed until absolute certainty of nil GE contamination is achieved.

Soil and Health co-chair Steffan Browning says Environment Minister Marian Hobbs is downplaying the risks by saying only 20 thousand of seeds are estimated to be contaminated out of the huge volumes imported. Ms Hobbs is failing to recognise that even a few GE seeds can cross pollinate surrounding corn crops, whether commercial or home gardeners.

All regrowth plants constitute ongoing contaminated cross pollination, they must all be removed.

New Zealand can supply its own seed and in doing so can protect its reputation as a GE Free producer, and certifiers our growing organic industry have a zero tolerance to GE contamination Mr Browning said.

The Soil and Health Association insists that all gardeners in both town and country have the right to save their own seed without any risk of cross pollination from nearby GE contaminated crops he added.

ENDS

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