The Green Party would work to quash the convictions of the two people convicted yesterday for intentionally damaging supermarket food with anti genetic-engineering stickers when GE labelling is introduced.

Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said today that when labelling is finally introduced she would introduce legislation quashing the protestors' convictions on behalf of consumers around the country.

The two protestors were given deferred sentences for 12 months and a third person was discharged in the Auckland District Court yesterday.

Ms Fitzsimons said the courts were simply enforcing the letter of the law.

"However, most people will be astonished that the police regard it as a priority to protect a supermarket against the truth about their products when there is so much violent crime and burglary still unsolved."

Government is to blame for making no progress on labelling in the year since the decision to label was first made, Ms Fitzsimons.

"They bowed to the pressure of the multi-nationals and because of that two people have been made criminals for being brave enough to try and protect the health of fellow New Zealanders. They should not carry that criminal record for the rest of their lives."

Ms Fitzsimons the real intentional damage was caused not by the protestors but by large international firms such as Monsanto, and by a National government which allowed Monsanto to use New Zealand as a GE test ground.

"Monsanto is using our children to test its food and these people, and other young people who labelled supermarket food, were providing essential information for parents who don't want their children to be used as guinea pigs."

Jeanette Fitzsimons: 025 586 068
Adam Shelton, Green Party parliamentary media officer, 04 470 6723

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