GE Feed Damages New Zealand's Export Reputation and Fonterra

Revelations that imported Genetically Engineered feed is being used in New Zealand's dairy industry undermines our reputation for safe food, and threatens the country's billion-dollar export market.(1)

International consumer rejection of GE products, including as animal-feed in meat and dairy production has led to supermarkets in our major export markets prohibiting their use.

New Zealand dairy foods produced using GE feed will be shut out of major retailers in overseas markets, including Sainsbury and Marks & Spencer in the UK, and Carrefour in France.

The use of GE feed fundamentally contradicts the reputation of New Zealand dairy products as safe, trustworthy, grass-fed, natural, and free-range.

The imported GE feed must be immediately withdrawn and quarantined. New Zealand government and industry musty urgently move to control the damage to our international brand reputation and immediately put in systems to prevent it happening in future.

Fonterra and the wider food and beverage export industry must recognise that GE ingredients are not aligned to the 'Brand New Zealand', and are a threat to our exports.

“It is sabotage to have allowed GM feed into our dairy industry.” says Jon Carapiet, spokesman for GE-free NZ in food and environment.

“Urgent action is needed to reassure our markets worldwide that New Zealand's dairy herd is grass-fed and safe from GE contamination.”

Someone must be held responsible for what is a fundamental attack on New Zealand's brand and export-driven economy, and action taken to prevent it from happening in future.

“We challenge Fonterra to ask their customers around the world whether the use of GE feed is acceptable,” says Jon Carapiet.

“Customers will likely feel utterly betrayed. New Zealand's economy has been put directly in the firing line when consumers worldwide can no longer trust New Zealand dairy products to live up to our reputation for safe, clean, green naturally produced food.”

ENDS

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