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GE Better Than Poisoned Foods
GE Better Than Poisoned Foods
Wednesday 28 Jul 2004
Ken Shirley - Press Releases - Other
The unacceptable levels of lead in some New Zealand cornflour is a direct result of New Zealand's nonsensical zero tolerance on GE, ACT New Zealand Science and Technology Spokesman Ken Shirley said today.
"Unlike other countries, New Zealand maintains a foolish, unobtainable and counterproductive zero tolerance for GE," Mr Shirley said.
"Because of this zero tolerance, the only source of corn available for New Zealand millers to make cornflour is China, Korea and Vietnam - and t was a Chinese-sourced consignment of corn that contained the dangerously high levels of lead.
"It is well known that lead and other heavy metals can be injurious to health - particularly the health of infants. What is not widely appreciated is that there is not one example anywhere ever of GE food posing a threat to human health.
"It is extremely ironic that the Green Party, which blew the whistle on the lead contamination, is the very same Party that insists on zero tolerance for GE.
"I call on the Government to drop the foolish policy of zero tolerance for GE, before New Zealanders suffer further dangers from substitute crops imported from alternative sources which pose known and severe dangers," Mr Shirley said.
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