New Zealand's double GE standards
It seems that the New Zealand government hasn't been as honest as we had hoped on its GE stance, it still hasn't ratified the Cartegena protocol on Biosafety and has in fact been in active collusion with the biggest and most reckless of the GE producer nations to undermine the international agreement.
New Zealand is part of the 'Miami Group' of anti-protocol countries which includes the biggest and least cautious GE producers: the USA, Canada and Argentina. "These guys have got GE coming out their ears, of course they don't want an international agreement that puts precautionary controls on the trade in GMOs," commented our GE Campaigner Steve Abel.
"But it is shameful that in one breath our government can talk about having the best protections in the world and yet side with those who are undermining a multilateral agreement that ensures the right of self protection to poorer countries."
A consultation period begins today on whether New Zealand should ratify the Protocol or not. "Absolutely New Zealand should ratify. Cartegena is entirely in line with the government's mantra of proceed with caution, yet the Miami link makes this look like another patsy consultation," said Abel. "Like most processes around GE there will be an excess of public submissions which the government will ignore because they've already made up their mind not to ratify."
The Biosafety Protocol entered into force on 11 September 2003, three months after the 50th country ratified it. So far 99 countries have ratified. The Protocol allows countries to establish or maintain means to regulate, manage or control the risks associated with the use and release of living modified organisms.
The Protocol applies to all GMOs that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health. Of particular note, the Biosafety Protocol recognizes in its preamble the crucial importance to humankind of centres of origin and centres of genetic diversity.
"Considering that industry, backed by powerful governments with vested GE interests, had not wanted any meaningful agreement at all, the Biosafety Protocol is a historic achievement. For the first time under international law, there is an explicit requirement that countries take precautionary measures to prevent GMOs from causing harm to biodiversity and human health," concluded Abel.
