19 July 2009
Media Statement

Would the real Food Safety Minister please stand up?

It has taken just a week for New Zealanders to see that Food Safety Minister Kate Wilkinson isn’t up to the job, Labour Health spokesperson Ruth Dyson said today.

“Kate Wilkinson has been at sixes and sevens over the introduction of folic acid to bread,” Ruth Dyson said.

“Last Sunday she was against it, the next day she was for it, and today John Key has put the issue in the ‘too hard’ basket and deferred the introduction of folic acid till after the election.

“Kate Wilkinson can’t take all the flak though. National has handled this issue appallingly and has shown how susceptible it is to scaremongering from lobby groups.

Ruth Dyson says the previous Labour Government considered a great deal of information before deciding to move ahead with the introduction of folate to bread.

“It’s interesting that John Key says nearly every issue that lands on his desk these days is complex. If the Government has new evidence suggesting it not go ahead with folic acid in bread then it should make that call,” Ruth Dyson said

“If science favours putting it in do it, if not don’t.

“Perhaps Kate Wilkinson should be sacked and former National MP Katherine Rich appointed as her replacement. Ms Rich seems to have more influence than the Food Safety Minister.

“Kate Wilkinson was on Christchurch television on Friday saying the plans to introduce folic acid in September and for a review in October were still going ahead.

“She is obviously out of the loop given today’s developments.

“And why doesn’t the Prime Minister want to hear from the supporters of folic acid fortification and hear their side of the story?

“The National Government’s short term approach to decision making has won the day again. Deferring the introduction is a cheap cop out.

ENDS

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