SECOND TIER
Trusted testing prior to release Final Vote Score 22 (Mentions 9)
Consumers
- Health analysis. Questions reduced nutritional value. Questions increased foreign chemicals
- Independent testing re-evaluate safe food
- Independent tests are carries out (time?)
Producers / Manufacturers / Marketers / Retailers
- Pool of world’s best scientists working on safety issues
- Foods with inherent medical attributes are common
- Results from long-term health studies
- Clear and rigorous testing regime before products can be sold to consumers
- Science education
- better public knowledge
- better understanding of their own limits by scientists
Research
- Independent verification that testing is sound
Consumer education and participation Final Vote Score 22 (Mentions 21)
Consumers
- Problems with biotech food starts to be openly and publicly acknowledged
- Increased information leads to more (not less) distrust of GE foods
- Public enquiry before regulations discussed
- Forums for two-way discussions help understanding
- Independent sources of information recognising the unknowns given to everyone
- Recognition that things may change as knowledge increases
- Glasnost
Producers / Manufacturers / Marketers / Retailers
- Consumers need better understanding of farming – to know what they can ask for
- Informed debate has taken place on the ethical use of biotechnology
- Acceptance of the general public that biotechnology has a place in NZ society
- Full understanding of the human genome structure
- Consumer education Communication
- what is being done
- by whom, when, why
- Education of the GM issues
- All groups involved. Must listen to each other.
- We have some common goals – let’s identify them
- Well informed public
- “Biotechnology is seen as boring”
- Co-operation of parties is essential
- All views are equally valid
Research
- Recognition that all groups have a common goal of food safety
- Reasonable and rational public debate supported by all groups
Necessity for international co-operation and trade Final Vote Score 18 (Mentions 10)
Consumers
- Recognition that this an international issue that NZ can not deal with alone
- Economic advantage analysis: Question – good for NZ export? Question – good for sales in NZ?
Producers / Manufacturers / Marketers / Retailers
- Clear measurable benefits of technology have been shown since its introduction
- Freer agricultural trade has been key to effective food safety
- International co-operation has underpinned safe food
- Realisation the world faced at least third world famine
- Individuals and countries need to retain high levels of autonomy on GE
- New Zealand’s competitiveness in international markets
- Use of biotechnology means NZ is competitive globally
Research
- Regulation protected safety but didn’t add unreasonable cost
Balance of individual choice Final Vote Score 16 (Mentions 9)
Consumers
- Recognition in the uncertainty in the science and the significantly greater risks GE carries. Application of precautionary policy
Producers / Manufacturers / Marketers / Retailers
- Respect for individual right to social and cultural self determination
- Consumer choice is paramount
- Those who don’t want to eat GE foods have a right not to
- GE of food not controlled by multinationals any more
- Total consumer focus
- Consumers have a wide diversity of views on biotech
- Consumers need to become willing to pay for quality food
- Producers free to apply technology as they choose, providing appropriate environmental and safety controls exist e.g. ERMA
Research
Environmental and health concerns Final Vote Score 14 (Mentions 9)
Consumers
- GE is found to increase allergies, asthma, etc.
- Patenting of staple crops is illegal
- Growing realisation that unadulterated (good) food is essential for health
- GE is found to have produced super weeds; decimated insects; and exasperated loss of biodiversity
Producers / Manufacturers / Marketers / Retailers
- First world economic collapse through diminished resources – land and inputs
- Multivariate
- safety and health
- economic
- environmental
- cultural
- Good health and good environment – ‘ailism’ – good business
- Consumer involvement through whole bio-production chain
Research
- Biotech that showed environmental benefits, improved safety (e.g. reduced allergens), direct and indirect consumer benefits adopted.
Trust in system Final Vote Score 14 (Mentions 7)
Consumers
- Lack of trust in regulatory bodies and Governments
Producers / Manufacturers / Marketers / Retailers
- Clear objective essential
- Consumers must have confidence in the system
- Regulatory authority with credibility and national profile
- Politicians have been kept away from making food safety decisions
- Science based and a-political
Research
- Team work of scientist, consumers and governing authorities
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Contact for Enquiries
Dr Sharon Adamson
Manager,
Innovation Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0618
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0741
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