Latest news with #GEFree
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Chief Science Advisor Needs Courage To Take Honest Look At GE Failures
Press Release – GE Free NZ The new Chief Scientist should recommend aligning research investment with the existing value food chain to preserve New Zealands healthy, high quality food that is GE Free. The Government's newly appointed chief science advisor Mr John Roche, must have the courage to advise and deprioritise investments in New Zealand GE trials that have failed to deliver. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, as quoted in the NZ Herald has said 'I also expect them to provide bold and courageous advice about those areas that aren't delivering value for New Zealanders and may need to be deprioritised. It's about making sure we are investing in what will have the greatest impact for New Zealanders.' [1] This points directly to being honest and aware about the poor performance of all New Zealand field trials of genetically engineered / modified organisms. After 25 years and the millions of dollars of public funds given to GE at the expense of other research and development (R&D) sectors, none of the outcomes provide any solutions to help advance farmers productivity. [2] 'The areas that need courageous advice and halting of investment should be focused toward the failure of the NZ GE field trials' said Claire Bleakley, president of GE Free NZ 'To date, every New Zealand GE field trial has failed and not delivered on investment. Investing and supporting existing traditional non-GE cultivars that are being used today would have to greatest value, impact and public good for New Zealanders.' New Zealand benefits from diverse farming practices using high performing mixed pastures, grass fed animals and humane husbandry practices with superior animal breeds that are resistant to foot rot and worms. Organic milk produced from grass fed animals with no pesticides used or GE in the product chain is attracting a premium for milk solids of $11.50-$12.50/kg. [3] The new Chief Scientist should recommend aligning research investment with the existing value food chain to preserve New Zealand's healthy, high quality food that is GE Free. Safe, natural food is what the consumers in export markets want and a marketing advantage for New Zealand. This is threatened by deregulation in the Gene Technology Bill. If we lose our export advantage it harms the regional and rural sector economy which currently benefit from the export market and consumer choice for GE-free produce. The concerns about the Gene Technology Bill are reflected in the petition by Lisa Er which closes on 17 June. [4] The Prime Minister has asked for Mr Roche's advice. He should support the recommendations of independent watchdog Physicians and Scientists for Global Responsibility (PSGRNZ) to set up an inquiry into The Gene Technology Bill and for major changes to the science funding system. [4]
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Chief Science Advisor Needs Courage To Take Honest Look At GE Failures
The Government's newly appointed chief science advisor Mr John Roche, must have the courage to advise and deprioritise investments in New Zealand GE trials that have failed to deliver. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, as quoted in the NZ Herald has said "I also expect them to provide bold and courageous advice about those areas that aren't delivering value for New Zealanders and may need to be deprioritised. It's about making sure we are investing in what will have the greatest impact for New Zealanders." [1] This points directly to being honest and aware about the poor performance of all New Zealand field trials of genetically engineered / modified organisms. After 25 years and the millions of dollars of public funds given to GE at the expense of other research and development (R&D) sectors, none of the outcomes provide any solutions to help advance farmers productivity. [2] "The areas that need courageous advice and halting of investment should be focused toward the failure of the NZ GE field trials" said Claire Bleakley, president of GE Free NZ "To date, every New Zealand GE field trial has failed and not delivered on investment. Investing and supporting existing traditional non-GE cultivars that are being used today would have to greatest value, impact and public good for New Zealanders." New Zealand benefits from diverse farming practices using high performing mixed pastures, grass fed animals and humane husbandry practices with superior animal breeds that are resistant to foot rot and worms. Organic milk produced from grass fed animals with no pesticides used or GE in the product chain is attracting a premium for milk solids of $11.50-$12.50/kg. [3] The new Chief Scientist should recommend aligning research investment with the existing value food chain to preserve New Zealand's healthy, high quality food that is GE Free. Safe, natural food is what the consumers in export markets want and a marketing advantage for New Zealand. This is threatened by deregulation in the Gene Technology Bill. If we lose our export advantage it harms the regional and rural sector economy which currently benefit from the export market and consumer choice for GE-free produce. The concerns about the Gene Technology Bill are reflected in the petition by Lisa Er which closes on 17 June. [4] The Prime Minister has asked for Mr Roche's advice. He should support the recommendations of independent watchdog Physicians and Scientists for Global Responsibility (PSGRNZ) to set up an inquiry into The Gene Technology Bill and for major changes to the science funding system. [4] References [2] [3] [4] [5]
Scoop
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
NZ Gene Technology Bill Breaches International Convention Directives On Public Right To Know On GMO
Press Release – GE Free NZ The process of writing The Gene Technology Bill and the regulatory system it sets up, contravenes the Aarhus directives in a number of ways. The New Zealand government's Gene Technology Bill is in breach of the directives of the Aarhus Convention to consult the public, allow public participation and ensure access to justice. On April 20, the Aarhus Convention's new GMO directives was passed. The protocol was ratified by 27 of the 35 parties and sets a precedence for international harmonisation on all parties and signatories to the Cartagena Protocol and Aarhus Conventions. [1] Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Astrid Schomaker, clarifies the directives on the procedures for consulting with the public when developing a national biosafety framework. This includes facilitating capacity building programmes with the participation of the public for further developing access to information, public participation and access to justice with respect to genetically engineered/ modified/gene edited (GMOs/GE) organisms. [2] The process of writing The Gene Technology Bill and the regulatory system it sets up, contravenes the Aarhus directives in a number of ways. There has been lack of public and stakeholder participation from the start, which continues to this day. The Bill makes broad exemptions of GE products from regulation and traceability which takes away the right to choose from farmers and consumers. 'The lack of consultation and democratic public participation in writing The Gene Technology Bill goes against everything the directives say is important,' said Claire Bleakley, president of GE Free NZ. 'In light of the international Convention's directives it is clear that the process around The Gene Technology Bill is seriously broken.' The charity organisation Physicians and Scientists for Global Responsibility (PSGR) has written to the Ombudsman to investigate whether the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) officials and the responsible Minister, the Hon Judith Collins directly undermined public law conventions and processes to their benefit in advancing policies and laws in favour of the deregulation of gene editing technology. [3] Also just released is a Parliamentary petition sponsored by Lisa Er calling for people to sign the petition to 'Halt the Bill and set up a Commission of Inquiry.' This is in direct response to the deliberate omission of the public, farmers and businesses in the drafting of the Bill. [4] As a signatory to the Cartagena Protocol the Aarhus Convention guides New Zealand to abide by the directives and set up a Commission of Inquiry on the Gene Technology Bill. [5]
