Greens would deny opportunity & choice

Greens would deny opportunity & choice

The Green Party is wrong when it claims New Zealanders will lose the right to choose to eat and grow GE-free products later this year, Chairman of the Life Sciences Network Dr William Rolleston said today.

“The Greens have forgotten one of the key recommendations of the Royal Commission report on genetic engineering, which was to preserve opportunity. They seem to be happy with having a choice, as long as it’s GE free,” Dr Rolleston said.

“The Greens would deny farmers and other New Zealanders’ the chance to use modern technology like genetic engineering, which has benefits for the environment and the economy. GE will provide a choice in these areas, whereas a continued moratorium will not.

“Amendments to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms legislation will make it possible for the regulated release of genetically modified organisms into the environment on a case-by-case basis, contrary to the Green’s alarmist statements that there are no plans to protect food at the growing stage or for a labelling system that lets consumers know what they are eating” Dr Rolleston concluded.

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