14 October, 2003

Kiwi, Aussie Greens create food fighting history

The Greens have created a slice of political history as, for the first time ever, parallel bills are being presented to both the New Zealand and Australian Parliaments.

Yesterday afternoon, Australian Green leader Senator Bob Brown introduced the Truth in Food Labelling Bill to the Australian Senate. It is based on Green MP Sue Kedgley's private member's bill, the Right to Know (Food Information) Bill, which is currently in the ballot.

Both the Australian and New Zealand bills aim to introduce an identical regime for the mandatory labelling of all genetically engineered ingredients in food sales so consumers have the ability to avoid GE food if they wish.

"Given that Australian and New Zealand are yoked together in the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand body, we're only going to get comprehensive GE labelling if both the New Zealand and Australian parliaments agree to it," said Ms Kedgley, the Green spokesperson for Food Safety.

"That's why having Greens on both sides of the Tasman pushing for similar legislation is so significant.

"New Zealand and Australian consumers can be assured that the Australasian Greens are striving to ensure the rights of all people to know what they are eating.

"This is one of the first examples of trans-Tasman Green cooperation, following the summit of Green representatives in Canberra last weekend," said Ms Kedgley.

"It's pleasing to know that good legislation knows no bounds."

ENDS

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