GMW: NZ a front for GM corn state!

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GMW: NZ a front for GM corn state!

" GM WATCH " <info

Thu, 23 Jun 2005 14:03:25 +0100

 

 

 

GM WATCH daily

http://www.gmwatch.org

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Most people at the recent Biosafety Protocol meeting in Montreal were

completely mystified as to why New Zealand blocked the consensus that

would have required proper labelling of international shipments of GM

organisms, thus allowing in the words of one delegate, " global genetic

pollution to escape unnoticed and unscathed " . How was that in the

interests of a country thta wasn't even growing, let alone exporting,

GM crops?

 

Many concluded that the only reasonable explanation was that NZ was

acting as a US proxy. The evidence for this is piling up. Below are

details of a biotech deal between NZ and Iowa, a state at the heart of

the US

farm belt.

 

No state has been harder hit than Iowa by the controversy over GMOs,

with even the Americans admitting they've lost hundreds of millions of

dollars in blocked corn exports. And no state was harder hit by the

'Starlink' GM disaster which contaminated over 50% of Iowa's corn crop.

 

In other words, no state has a greater interest in global genetic

pollution escaping " unnoticed and unscathed " and NZ, it seems, is

desperate

to curry favour with its business partner - no matter what the global

cost.

 

For more on what happened in Montreal:

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

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Iowa makes 'unique' biotech agreement with New Zealand

By DONNELLE ELLER

REGISTER BUSINESS WRITER

June 22, 2005

 

Iowa and New Zealand have signed an agreement that will expand business

and academic exchanges - and opportunities - between the state and

country, Gov. Tom Vilsack said Tuesday.

 

Vilsack, who attended the Biotechnology Industry Organization

conference in Philadelphia, said the agreement will encourage academic

exchanges

between New Zealand and Iowa, particularly in plant, animal and human

sciences.

 

Iowa is a leader in developing bio-based energy, such as ethanol and

biodiesel, and has academic strengths in developing pharmaceuticals,

chemicals and other biotech products.

 

In the next year, Vilsack said, Iowa could see investment from

companies in New Zealand interested in establishing a U.S. presence.

 

The agreement is a result of discussions and trips between Iowa and New

Zealand officials that began two years ago. Vilsack said New Zealand is

a good partner for Iowa because of shared " core competencies, "

particularly in agriculture.

 

The two partners also plan to co-sponsor events at next year's BIO

conference, an annual meeting of thousands of biotech scientists,

business

leaders and government officials.

 

Iowa traditionally hosts the conference's final reception, this year at

the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal - Pier One.

 

Michael Blouin, director of the Iowa Department of Economic

Development, said the " unique agreement " with New Zealand helps raise

Iowa's

growing reputation in the biotechnology community.

 

 

 

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