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GE corn reveals new MAF regime inadequate

www.greenpeace.org.nz

GE corn reveals new MAF regime inadequate

Auckland, 9 August, 2002: The second incident of GE corn grown in New Zealand would not have been prevented under the new Ministry for Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) seed testing regime, Greenpeace stated today.

MAF will not test every shipment under its new regime. Shipments that have been tested overseas will not be tested in New Zealand before being allowed in. The seed in this case tested negative for GE in the USA.

“This reportedly contaminated corn would still have got in even if MAF’s new regime had been in place at the time,” said Steve Abel, GE campaigner today.

“When we are struggling to keep GE seed out of the country, how can we expect to manage GE field trials and commercial release? New Zealand must halt all field trials, maintain the moratorium, and test every seed import to protect our environment and economy.

“New Zealand must also stop importing seed from the USA. This is the second incident of GE corn contamination from the USA, after the first incident in 2000 was revealed in Nicky Hager’s book, Seeds of Distrust. New Zealand has no option but to seek a clean seed source, and the USA is clearly not it.

“This incident raises another questions about GE. Who is liable if neighbouring farms have been contaminated?” said Abel.

Contact:

Steve Abel, Genetic Engineering Campaigner 021 565 175

Vanessa Atkinson, Communications Officer 025 927 301

Vanessa Atkinson

Communications Assistant

Greenpeace New Zealand

Mobile: +64 (0)25 927 301

Ph: +64 (0)9 6306 317 Ext: 325

Fax: +64 (0)9 630 7121


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