Sun, 26 May 2002

GE Free New Zealand in Food and Environment call for MAF to test all imports of seeds with a chance of GE contamination.

Any crop with a commercial GM version should be tested irrespective of the country it is coming from says GE Free New Zealand in Food and Environment.

" Unfortunately it is not enough to only test seeds imported from those countries, like the US, if we want to ensure contaminated seeds don't enter the country" said a GE Free NZ representative. "Entry via a third-party country not growing that GE crop could occur."

Pointing to Mexico where recent investigations have found that the heritage maize varieties have been contaminated despite a ban on the growing of GE maize crops, GE Free New Zealand is urging the public to support the move and call for a 5 year moratorium.

Public submissions to MAF are open until the 28th June, a discussion paper outlining that only one in three consignments would be tested despite the recent improved funding for biosecurity announced in the budget.

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