GMW: Developing Nations Slam NZ/NZ takes its biotech to the world

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GMW: Developing Nations Slam NZ/NZ takes its biotech to the world

" GM WATCH " <info

Sun, 19 Jun 2005 22:49:05 +0100

 

 

 

 

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http://www.gmwatch.org

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1.NZ takes its biotech to the world

2.Developing Nations Slam NZ

 

COMMENT

 

Item 1 looks like NZ's 30 pieces of silver - except it's a bit more

pathetic than that.

 

New Zealand's government is promoting NZ biotech via its 'New Thinking

programme' (!) which helps NZ businesses 'compete globally by building

on NZ's " clean, green " image'!!! Talk about shooting yourself in the

foot.

 

But, at least they can be sure of a warm (if incredulous) welcome in

Philadelphia after the favours the NZ delegation did the biotech industry

in Montreal.

 

Not everyone's so jubilant, however, as our second item notes: 'New

Zealand is being condemned by developing nations for blocking an

agreement

that would require proper labelling of shipments of GM organisms'. As

the leader of the African Group, Dr Tewolde has pointed out, New

Zealand's intransigence has allowed 'global genetic pollution to escape

unnoticed and unscathed'.

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1.NZ takes its biotech to the world

New Zealand Herald, 20 June 05

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=3 & ObjectID=10331570

 

New Zealand's largest biotech delegation will step out today to do

battle with their competitors and rivals in Philadelphia.

 

Although the delegation comprises more than 60 people representing 47

biotech companies and organisations, it will be severely outnumbered.

But Commerce Minister Pete Hodgson - who heads the delegation - says its

members are determined to make an impact at the world's leading annual

biotechnology convention, BIO 2005.

 

They will be competing with more than 18,000 scientists, business

executives, venture capitalists, government officials and job seekers.

 

The companies attending include: cancer researcher Proacta;

Lactopharma, a company developing an anti-inflammatory drug; and Neuren

Pharmaceuticals, led by chief executive David Clarke, which is

developing a brain

repair drug.

 

The business pitches will be varied: they will talk about using

biotechnology to improve the way farmers grow crops, doctors treat

disease,

and first responders detect terrorism, and tackle topics such as

bioterrorism, genetically engineered food, stem cell research,

prescription-drug safety and steroids used by athletes. " BIO is an

opportunity for the

New Zealand biotech community to show the world what it has got,

including original, high quality research and an ability to generate

valuable

intellectual property, " said Mr Hodgson, who was science minister until

recently.

 

Part of New Zealand's bid to gain attention will be a New Thinking

pavilion which has recycled many of the features of the successful New

Zealand stand at the world's largest information technology fair, CeBIT,

held in Hanover, Germany, in March.

 

The Government promoted the New Thinking programme as helping

businesses compete globally by building on the " clean, green " image

and seeking

recognition for creativity, innovation and technology.

 

The New Zealand stand will again be alongside Australia, after last

year's conference showed potential for the two delegations to work

together.

 

The convention includes 150 educational sessions and workshops, 200

company presentations, 4000 partnering meetings and 1450 organisations

exhibiting highlights of their technology.

 

- NZPA

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2.Developing Nations Slam NZ for 'May Contain GM' stance

 

New Zealand is being condemned by developing nations for blocking an

agreement that would require proper labelling of shipments of GM

organisms, and effectively forcing each country to develop a patchwork

of local

laws.

 

A report by The South North Development Monitor says by blocking

consensus at the Meeting of Parties to the Cartegna Protocol Brazil

and New

Zealand were successful in derailing the talks so no decision was

adopted on Article 18.2(a) governing movements of GMO's internationally.

 

The move may force countries to develop their own laws creating more

complex rules for industry to deal with. New Zealand farmers would be

harmed unless new laws are also developed here, and the government's

agenda is causing alarm throughout the many groups in New Zealand

wanting a

precautionary approach to GE.

 

New Zealand's position is highly contradictory and confusing. Our

government is now promoting " may contain GM " as an adequate label when

this

term was previously rejected as 'unhelpful' and inadequate for

labelling consumer goods.

 

The Chair of the Africa Group at the meeting warned that this would

allow " global genetic pollution to escape unnoticed and unscathed " .

 

This stand will also undermine international trade as countries are

forced to act unilaterally to block GM contamination.

 

'The New Zealand government has been quietly changing its policy while

the public are not looking, and are now effectively promoting GM

contamination thresholds internationally, " says Jon Carapiet from GE

Free NZ

in food and environment "

 

In closing statements at the conference delegates advised developing

countries to design through their national legislation strict

requirements for the documentation accompanying shipments of living

GMO-FFPs.

 

GE Free NZ in food and environment believe New Zealand also needs new

legislation to protect our farmers and the integrity of the agricultural

system.

 

Without these rules the New Zealand government will be betraying not

only the people of the developing world, but our own farming communities,

and the public interest.

 

ENDS

 

Jon Carapiet 0210 507 681

 

REFERENCE

 

Additional Resources

Documents of MOP-2:

www.biodiv.org/doc/meeting.aspx?mtg=MOP-02

(including the draft Decision on LMO-FFPs, UNEP/CBD/BS/COP-MOP/2/2)

Daily coverage by IISD Linkages:

www.iisd.ca/biodiv/bs-copmop2/

 

Brazil, New Zealand block decision on documentation of GMOs

The South North Development Monitor (SUNS), 7 June 2005, issue #5815

http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=5344

 

 

 

 

 

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