Hon David Benson-Pope Minister for theEnvironment Member of Parliament for Dunedin South
27 March 2006 Media Statement New Zealand welcomesinternational consensus on genetic technology
New Zealandfully supported the consensus agreement reached last Friday(24 March) in Brazil by the international Working Group ongenetic use restriction technologies (GURTs) as part of theConvention on Biological Diversity.
GURTs encompass a widerange of technologies, not just seed sterilisation, thatprovide the ability to turn on or off gene expression. TheWorking Group agreed to respect farmers rights to preserveseeds under traditional cultivation and for further researchto be undertaken on the impacts of GURTs, particularly onindigenous and local communities.
Minister for theEnvironment David Benson-Pope says this consensus outcome iswhat the New Zealand delegation went to the meeting toachieve. There was no disagreement on the final text adoptedby the Working Group.
"This agreement is in line with NewZealand s position, which will continue to be guided by NewZealand laws and international agreements we have signed upto," said Mr Benson-Pope. "Our government strives in suchnegotiations to accommodate the concerns of others, and weare happy to have reached an outcome that satisfies allparties.
"The New Zealand government has no view on themerits or otherwise of genetically modified organismsdeveloped using GURTs. Our position is to rigorously assessthe risks and benefits of these technologies, if and whenthey arise, on a case-by-case basis under the HazardousSubstances and New Organisms Act. The New Zealand governmentis not aware of any plans to conduct 'field trials' of GURTsin New Zealand," said David Benson-Pope.
"New Zealandsupports further research on the impacts of GURTs, and alsorespects the right of farmers and indigenous and localcommunities to use, save and exchange their farm-savedseeds, subject to national legislation.
"We encourage theparticipation of indigenous and local communities in allfuture discussions on GURTs under the Convention onBiological Diversity and agree that capacity buildinginitiatives are required to enable developing countries tomake informed decisions on GURTs," he said.
The decisionof the Working Group will now be forwarded for adoption tothe plenary session of the Conference of Parties (COP8) thisweek.
ENDS
THIS ISSUE Lead NZ News NZ Politics World News FeaturesNew Zealand Politics
POLITICAL NEWSLETTERS: Transtasman Political Letter -- 23 March Digest Molesworth & Featherston (Weekend) -- March 10 2006
NZ Economy: We're One Quarter Away From A Recession - Economic activity decreased 0.1 percent in the December 2005 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today. This follows increases of 0.1 percent and 1.2 percent in the September 2005 and June 2005 quarters, respectively. In the year ended December 2005 the economy grew 2.2 percent, down from the 4.3 percent growth recorded in the year ended December 2004. See... GDP Declines 0.1 Percent ALSO:NZ Govt - Cullen on December quarter GDPNational - Economy stationary as Govt fails to prepare NZEMA - Urgency wanted on plans to roll back bad news EARLIER:Annual Current Account Deficit Widens Further
Herceptin: Costly Debate About To Begin For NZ's Health Service - The media turned out in force to discover that the cancer drug Herceptin has been provisionally approved by Medsafe. Herceptin is a hugely expensive drug that has lead to debate in other countries, notably the United Kingdom, about its cost vs its benefits. However, for many many of the reporters at todays media briefing - especially those from the major television networks - there was only one question that mattered and that was: "All going well, when will women be able to start getting Herceptin?" See... Herceptin: Will Media Pressure Blow The Budget? ALSO:PHARMAC - PHARMAC welcomes Medsafe approval of HerceptinMedsafe - Herceptin (trastuzumab) provisionally approvedRoche - Herceptin Approved for Early Breast Cancer in NZ National - Herceptin decision welcomed
Tax: Dunne Appreciates Depreciation - Tax cuts for New Zealand business of $1.1 billion over four years. That's Revenue Minister Peter Dunne's analysis of the Taxation (Depreciation, Payment Dates Alignment, FBT and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which was passed without opposition by Parliament last night. "The bill brings into effect the most comprehensive business tax cuts for nearly two decades, and proves that those who claim the Government is not serious about significant tax reform are simply not paying attention. See... Dunne acclaims billion dollar business tax cuts
Employment: Non Revolutionaries Get Trip To Beehive - News that some school students will be engaging further in the democratic process following Monday's 'strike' by Auckland school students in support of her Bill to remove youth rates has been greeted with pleasure by Green Party Industrial Relations Spokesperson Sue Bradford. On Monday, students at Takapuna Grammar were urged by their principal not to take part in the 'strike', and were promised in return that three students would be able to visit Parliament. See..Positive outcome from Monday's student 'strike' ALSO: National Protest organisers should apologise to parents
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:NZ Govt - New PhD students are "brain gain" for New Zealand NZ Govt - Oyster season to open next week at existing limitsNZ Govt - Thousands more receive surgery commitmentsNational - SOE outflanks Labour ideology National - Dramatic decline in heart surgery in Auckland National - Open Polytechnic incites AussiesNational - Parliament to debate organ donation billNational - Parliament to debate organ donation billNational - Labour fails to secure oil, gas exploration bids National - Maharey makes a mockery of school secrecy National - More 'P' being found in prisonsGreen Party- GE medicine derived from human/mouse hybrid gene Maori Party - Sharples: Tariff Amendment Bill Maori Party - General Debate : Dr Pita SharplesUnited Future - Copeland highlights Greens' negative influenceUnited Future - Police run shy on clients of underage prostitutes Progressive Party - Amendment to the Meat Board Act 2004
POLITICAL COLUMNSNewman Weekly: Lowering the BarMarc my Words: Tax - a state sponsored muggingwww.mccully.co.nz 24 March 2006 Heather Roy's Diary - 24 March 2006Gerry: In the House - 24 March 2006Plain English - 24 March 2006The Mapp Report 17 March 2006Newsworthy: Claims by prisoners soarThe Letter -- Monday, 27 March 2006
SCOOP WAS IN THE HOUSE:Questions And Answers - Thursday 23 March 2006Questions And Answers - Wednesday 22 March 2006Questions And Answers - Tuesday 21 March 2006