17 June 2002

Greens the head of the dog, not the tail

Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons today released a poll commissioned by the Greens which shows the majority of New Zealanders support the Green position of keeping GE in the lab and out of the environment.

The Consumer Link survey was of 476 New Zealanders and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 per cent. Polling was conducted earlier this month. The poll asked two questions.

To the question 'Do you think that living genetically engineered organisms should be kept in a contained laboratory?' 64 per cent said yes, 24 per cent said no and 11.5 per cent didn't know.

To the question 'Do you think that farming of genetically engineered crops and animals should be allowed in New Zealand?' 46 per cent said no, 35 per cent said yes and 17.5 per cent didn't know.

"This poll shows the clear majority of people share the Green vision of keeping GE in the lab and keeping our environment GE-Free," said Ms Fitzsimons.

"It also shows that the Labour Party is misreading the views of New Zealanders in planning to lift the moratorium on the release of genetically engineered crops and animals into our environment in October next year."

Ms Fitzsimons said she was not surprised that most New Zealanders supported the Greens on the GE issue.

The poll is in line with the latest TV3 NFO Poll which showed 56 per cent of New Zealanders think the moratorium on release should be extended.

"This poll is a good measure of how people feel about this issue. What is now important is that voters understand that Labour governing alone will lift the moratorium in October next year and allow applications to release GE into our environment.

"The astonishing thing is that on this issue the majority of New Zealanders are represented by only five per cent of the MPs. On this issue the Greens are the head of the dog, not the tail."

ENDS

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