Ministers Agree To Mandatory Labelling Of GM Food

Samira Wohlfart (Wohlfart@chch.agnz.co.nz)
Wed, 4 Aug 1999 08:36:11 +1200

Ministers Agree To Mandatory Labelling Of GM Food 
Staff Reporter {HYPERLINK "Mailto:gorf@actrix.gen.nz"}Peter Fowler
4/08/99 07:42:00
The Australian New Zealand Food Standards Council (ANZFSC) has agreed
to the mandatory labelling of genetically modified food, although
some outstanding issues still have to be worked through.
ANZFSC health ministers met last night in Australia to discuss the
issue. It followed consideration of how to implement the "in
principle" decision of December to label substantially equivalent
GMFs.
The ruling confirmed the initial decision, but noted there were a
number of areas which need clarification by the Australia New Zealand
Food Authority (ANZFA).
These areas included whether to exempt refined foods, and whether the
decision will be viewed as a technical trade barrier under
international trade rules.
The New Zealand Minister of Health, Wyatt Creech said the decision
underlines the government's commitment to safe food and informed
consumer choice.
He said the 5500 public submissions to the Government on the issue
helped influence New Zealand's vote. The common theme from individual
submitters was that the consumer had a right to know whether the food
they were buying was genetically modified.
Meanwhile the Grocery Marketers Association, which represents
processed food distributors, has expressed concern that a new regime
of mandatory labels for GM foods will push up prices.
Labour spokesperson on research, science and technology, Mark Peck,
this morning described the decision as “good”, but said Labour will
promote wholeheartedly legislation to require that all genetically
modified foods are labelled.
ANZFSC is due to meet again in October.
© NewsRoom 1999

Samira Wohlfart
Organic Products Exporters Group Inc. (OPEG)
PO Box 8640
Christchurch
New Zealand
Ph: +64 3 348-0979
Fax: +64 3 348-1867
Email: wohlfart@chch.agnz.co.nz
Website: http://www.organicsnewzealand.org.nz

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