Baby food research shows food conference essential
Baby food research shows food conference essential
Government must take note of recent evidence of high levels of pesticide
residues in baby food if they are to fulfil their mandate to ensure foods are
safe. Recent reports to the Primary Production select committee come hot
on the heels of other submissions on the dangers of GE foods.
‘European standards are much higher than ours. Their maximum residue levels
are lower, and monitoring of chemicals and animal testing of GE foods is routine,’
says Susie Lees spokesperson for Food Matters Aotearoa. ‘Even in China some
toxic chemicals and GE variants used in food in NZ are banned, we have a lot of
catching up to do if New Zealand’s reputation as a quality food producer is to continue.’
The Primary Production select committee will report back in the New Year after its
review of the chemical loading in baby food, and decision whether to reassess
approved GE food in light of recent scientific evidence of harm to human health.
In the EU, reassessment takes place after a 10 year approval, the same doesn’t
apply in Australia and NZ, where many GE variants have been approved for much
longer without review.
There are some toxic chemicals entering our food chain that have no maximum
residue limits, the default position should be that none of these chemicals are found
in our food chain.
‘Government representatives need to acknowledge the evidence and not hide behind
studies performed by those corporations that lobby them while making profits from
the contamination of our food’ said Susie Lees from Food Matters Aotearoa. ‘We are
bringing independent evidence to the capital which should not be ignored and will be
accessible to all at our conference.’
The Food Matters Aotearoa conference will bring internationally and nationally recognized
experts to Te Papa, Wellington in February to discuss these problems and offer solutions
to increasingly downgraded New Zealand food production. They will consider a variety of
ways to reduce chemical inputs on farms and ensure newer technologies in genetic
modification are regulated properly.
All MPs, regulatory agencies and farming groups have been invited to attend. It is
government’s responsibility to keep up to date and come and hear the evidence.
Contact:- Susie Lees 0210543492
References:-
Safe food Campaign submission to Primary Production
http://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-nz/51SCPP_EVI_50DBHOH_PET3207_1_A414232/
eedd086b5f950e41446156424d6726c51579f219
GE Free NZ petition to Primary Production select committee
http://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-nz/51SCPP_EVI_50DBHOH_PET3161_1_
A411263/3b8133e5b7329fff56cc870bc5330f8f4168db83
Pilgarten findings
http://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-nz/51SCPP_EVI_50DBHOH_PET3161_1_
A411260/f05a6b0553384329857bc0eac2cf1b08e9e3c020
Argentina Dr. Vasquez findings
http://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-nz/51SCPP_EVI_50DBHOH_PET3161_1_
A411262/9b38c7b4f2a5d9943b45d0bc0e990ea8a43883a3
Petition tabled by Nikki Kaye
http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/presented/petitions/50DBHOH_PET3161_1/
petition-of-jon-muller-that-the-house-note-that-1697
MPI response
http://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-nz/50SCPP_EVI_50DBHOH_PET3161_1_
A367291/a0fd0fe9ca3d819734168068fa8eb276872a2e05
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