GM Recommendations Must Go Through

Sunday, October 28th, 2001

Royal Commission GM Recommendations Must Go Through

New Zealand cannot afford to be held to ransom by a minority of MP's over the GM issue, the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) says.

"The decision due tomorrow must be the Government's view, not one based on opinion polling, or keeping the Green Party on side," said Alasdair Thompson, EMA's chief executive.

"Government must press ahead with a position based on the extremely well researched recommendations of its own Royal Commission, and seek Parliament's support for that position.

"The recommendations of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification should be implemented in full - the $6.5 million study resulted in a comprehensive and thorough report. Most of those opposing it have not read it, or even the summary in it.

"The Green Party with which Government seeks a compromise, misled the Government's Royal Commission. Its claims on this issue have been found to be unreliable.

"Government was elected to govern, not be held to ransom by a minority party determined to get control over New Zealand's science programme.

"Treating the issue like a political football will harm New Zealand's reputation and give the wrong signal to our bioscientists and investor in this technology. It confounds Government talk of building a knowledge-based society.

"Why are we seeking international derision as a nation of yokels not prepared to take the advice of our own, and international best thinkers and their dispassionate, comprehensive and reasonable recommendations?"

Ends

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