27 August 2002

Government Review Of ERMA Caving In To Pressure From Greens

The Government has once again caved in to pressure from the Greens over GE by agreeing to review ERMA, says National's biotechnology spokesperson Dr Paul Hutchison.

"Incidents like the recent discovery that MAF had allowed in 19 noxious weeds with a load of maize seeds illustrates that greater environmental risks than GE are occurring because of the Government diverting resources into GE detection.

"The impact of the bee varoa mite, the painted apple moth, and weeds like those introduced at Mangatawhiri could be utterly disastrous for New Zealand and pose huge real risks.

"The Greens obsession with GE has influenced the Government to the extent that Helen Clark is now blaming ERMA for her Government's own shortcomings.

"The Greens will stop at nothing to make the ERMA regulations even tighter and achieve a long term moratorium through the back door. That would be a disaster for our vital agricultural industry.

"The Government claims to be pro-science and pro-biotechnology yet has already imposed a temporary moratorium over and above the recommendations of the Royal Commission.

"The proposed review of ERMA is a direct result of bowing to pressure from the Greens. It is vital for New Zealand that the Government doesn't overlook very real biosecurity risks in its haste to appease the Greens," said Dr Hutchison.

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