August 6, 2007

New Zealand government cautious over GM corn

The government of New Zealand says it will not immediately adapt genetically-modified corn for animal feed despite the food regulator's new declaration that GM corn as stockfeed is safe for human consumption.

Food Safety Minister Annette King said the country is not proceeding "genetic modification standard" in the joint Food Standards Code for food derived from high lysine corn (LY038).

The corn was approved for human and animal consumption by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) because GM producer Monsanto has reportedly "expected this decision to turn up in corn-based foods".

New Zealand scientists said there was concern the high levels of the amino acid lysine in LY038 corn may trigger diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancer and diabetes, and questioned the FSANZ decision to compare it with another GE corn, rather than a conventional corn with a good safety record.

King has asked the New Zealand Food Safety Authority to provide her with more proof to the "appropriateness" of accepting such amendments.