The Green Party has “hijacked pole position” at the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification and was able to play politics because of its special interest status at the hearing, ACT Agricultural Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff said today.

He said it was disgraceful for the Green Party to claim its only role at the commission’s hearing was to articulate its environmental concerns in a non-political manner.

“It is completely obvious from media reports that the Greens have hoodwinked the commission through the use of its special interest status,” Mr Eckhoff said.

“The Green’s representative at the hearing, Sue Kedgley, is simply indulging in sensationalism and is not at all interested in balance. “The Greens, with their closed minded attitude have gained pole position at the hearing and have a distinct advantage over any others who hold a contrary point of view.

“Sue Kedgley’s attack on agricultural research is totally unprincipled and she offers no alternative research suggestion that could ease the suffering of people ravaged by a range of diseases, that have been the focus recently of important studies.

“Her attitude of ‘I’m all right Jack, to hell with you’ is outrageous,” Mr Eckhoff said. He said it was now more important than ever for farmers and others with a strong interest in agricultural research, to counter the Green’s “Chicken Lickin point of view,” and make their voices heard at the commission’s hearing around the country.

“If farmers want a balanced outcome from the Royal Commission it is important to get off their tractor seats, get to town and start expressing their views, rather than simply leaving it up to lobby groups like Federated Farmers,” Mr Eckhoff said.

He said a lack of understanding and interest by farmers saw them “left out of the loop” during debate on the controversial Resource Management Act.

“We can not let the same thing happen with the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification,” Mr Eckhoff said.

ENDS

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

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