November 4, 2009
New Zealand faces calls to withdraw approval for new GM corn
The New Zealand Food Authorities is facing calls to withdraw approval of a new form of GM corn so as to avoid risks of hurting public health and the country's quality brand name.
New Zealand's exports could also be damaged if manufacturers incorporate the GM corn into foods marketed internationally as "coming from New Zealand".
Monsanto's high-lysine GM corn LY038, which was developed as a new form of animal feed, has already been withdrawn by Europe.
A lack of effective separation of the corn from human food has prompted Monsanto to gain approval for human consumption, but independent scientists have warned that the product when cooked could create compounds linked to serious disease.
Unknown health effects may affect public health, and this cost far outweighs the benefit that this untested, unsafe corn is approved for, according to GE Free NZ.
There are clear indications the corn, when heated, presents a health risk to people and on that basis alone its approval should be rescinded, said Jon Carapiet from GE Free NZ.
Furthermore the approval puts New Zealand's export reputation at a dangerous position, and the Sanlu melamine contamination incident in China last year indicates how vulnerable Fonterra and all exporters are to global concern for food safety.
Allowing importation of high-lysine GE corn is effectively approval of reverse-contamination of New Zealand-made products, said Carapiet.
He added that the food authorities must see the risks involved given Europe's decision not to approve the product.
