December 24, 2007

New Zealand approves Monsanto's corn for feed and human consumption

New Zealand has approved GM corn for feed use, despite calls from opposition groups that it may cause cancer.

Food Safety Minister Lianne Dalziel signed off this week on the high-lysine GM corn LY038, made by Monsanto, declaring it safe for human consumption and therefore for animal feed.

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority has also said it is as safe for human consumption as conventional corn.

Concerned groups have said that if the corn accidentally gets into the human food-chain and is then cooked, it could potentially cause cancer, diabetes or Alzheimer's disease.

Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said the Government had given in to Monsanto and had set a "dangerous precedent" for untested GM animal feed to enter the food chain.

A spokeswoman for Ms Dalziel said the minister had studied the approval process carefully and was satisfied with the outcome.

Carole Inkster, the Food Safety Authority's joint food standards director, said the process to gain approval was sound and involved two rounds of public consultation.

The corn was declared safe in July by the Australia New Zealand Food Regulation ministerial council, but the final decision was delayed to seek further advice.

Monsanto's corn was the 33rd GM product to be accepted as safe for human consumption in New Zealand, including canola, lucerne, soy and potatoes.