Bill English Leader of the Opposition

30 October 2001

Cautious approach to GM welcomed

National welcomes the Government's statements that it wants to allow Genetic Modification to proceed with caution, as recommended by the Royal Commission, Opposition Leader Bill English said today.

"We are pleased the Government has not ruled out further research on GM.

"National takes a longterm view of what is best for New Zealand. We intend to be constructive to ensure that New Zealand can get the benefit of GM for our biological production economy.

"We also want to ensure that New Zealanders can choose what they eat and make choices about the technologies being used.

"It is clear from the debate in Parliament today that Helen Clark does not have the support of everyone in the Government. The Government has only started negotiations with the Greens and the Maori caucus and there is a long way to go to secure their votes for the legislation as promised.

"Helen Clark has let the country down by not dealing with the GM issue until the last week when she was pushed up against a deadline.

"These issues are not too difficult to solve and National is offering to support the Government in working hard to ensure New Zealand can remain a leading biological economy.

"National will hold the Government to account against the yardstick of the Royal Commission," Mr English said.

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