[ACT] GE Better Than Poisoned Foods -- Ken Shirley

[a...@parliament.govt.nz]

GE Better Than Poisoned Foods

Wednesday 28 Jul 2004
Ken Shirley
Press Releases -- Other
(view HTML version at: http://www.act.org.nz/item.jsp?id=25911 )

The unacceptable levels of lead in some New Zealand cornflour is a
direct result of New Zealand's nonsensical zero tolerance on GE, ACT
New Zealand Science and Technology Spokesman Ken Shirley said today.

"Unlike other countries, New Zealand maintains a foolish, unobtainable
and counterproductive zero tolerance for GE," Mr Shirley said.

"Because of this zero tolerance, the only source of corn available for
New Zealand millers to make cornflour is China, Korea and Vietnam -
and t was a Chinese-sourced consignment of corn that contained the
dangerously high levels of lead.

"It is well known that lead and other heavy metals can be injurious to
health - particularly the health of infants. What is not widely
appreciated is that there is not one example anywhere ever of GE food
posing a threat to human health.

"It is extremely ironic that the Green Party, which blew the whistle
on the lead contamination, is the very same Party that insists on zero
tolerance for GE.

"I call on the Government to drop the foolish policy of zero tolerance
for GE, before New Zealanders suffer further dangers from substitute
crops imported from alternative sources which pose known and severe
dangers," Mr Shirley said.

ENDS

Ken Shirley MP
ken.s...@parliament.govt.nz
Phone: 04 470 6635 / 021 570 877
Fax: 04 473 3532

Chas Te Runa, Press Secretary
chas.t...@parliament.govt.nz
Phone: 04 470 6648 / 027 289 4080

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or
contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at a...@parliament.govt.nz.