30 June 2013

Federated Farmers should back local farmers

Federated Farmers are backing the wrong side with their decision to support Environment Minister Amy Adams’ intention to block local councils from being able to regulate for genetic engineering in their local communities, the Green Party said today.

“By supporting the Minister, Federated Farmers is misrepresenting rural New Zealand, many of its own members, and the majority of New Zealanders who do not want genetic engineering (GE) in their farming systems, environment or food supply,” said Green Party GE spokesperson Steffan Browning.

“Instead of protecting the best interests of local farming families, Federated Farmers is supporting a move that flies in the face of the international experience of GE, litigation, lower yields and unnecessary herbicide use.

“Local councils need to represent their communities in the absence of government regulation. It’s currently up to councils to ensure a genuinely precautionary approach to the risks of contamination, litigation, economic loss, and environmental damage from GE.

“Government legislation, such as the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act and agencies such as the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Ministry for the Environment, consistently fail.
“GE proponents seem very happy to see inept legislation and compliance as a means towards the introduction of GE, regardless of the effects on New Zealand's clean green 100% Pure brand.

“Federated Farmers has also discouraged suspension of the neonicitinoid poisons that threaten the important pollination activity of honey bees and other insects.

“It is vital that spokespeople for primary production in New Zealand, like Federated Farmers, represent the best interests of family farmers and sustainable farming systems, not the corporate interests of the life sciences and agrichemical industry giants.

“Federated Farmers grains council has previously been concerned at the risks of GE contamination in exports to Japan and elsewhere, and the honey industry knows that the EU and other markets don't want GE in a speck of their pollen or honey products.

“GE contamination has had a significant cost on rural communities world wide. The Environment Minister and Federated Farmers should stop pretending that New Zealand legislation can prevent the same here.

“Councils must be able to fill the gap left by the deficiencies in central government legislation and administration,” said Mr Browning.

ENDS

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