Royal Commission offers a way forward

Media release 30 July 2001

Royal Commission offers a way forward

The Royal Commission on Genetic Modification appears to have taken a cautious approach that offers the prospect of a sensible way forward, says Business New Zealand Chief Executive Simon Carlaw.

Mr Carlaw says the business community knows our future depends on how well we use science to leverage up from commodities towards highly differentiated products.

"To use science successfully in this way requires both an enabling and a controlling approach. The Commission has balanced the need for progress with the need for robust safety controls.

"If the Commission's recommendations are accepted, then more work will need to be done to ensure our safety controls keep us safe while still enabling economic advances based on science.

"The Commission's report will help us all consider GM-related issues in a more rational, informed way than previously," Mr Carlaw said.

ENDS

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