Delamere delighted terminator seeds 'terminated'
Hon Tuariki Delamere
Associate Health Minister
Media statement
For immediate release
5
October, 1999
Delamere delighted terminator seeds 'terminated'
Associate Minister of Health, Hon Tuariki Delamere, said today he was delighted at the news that the US company Monsanto will not now commercialise the 'terminator' gene technology that sterilises seeds.
"After a visit to the United States earlier this year, where I was thoroughly briefed on this potential technology, I said it must be resisted," he said.
"It seemed ridiculous then, as it does now, that farmers might be forced to buy new seed every season just because a giant company wanted to extort vast sums of money through its monopoly of a new technology.
"I am pleased that public pressure has forced Monsanto to see reason," concluded Mr Delamere.
Ends