1.Farm group rejects Truss GM crops call
2.NZ to develop GE cows for protein
Looks like NZ is becoming a dumping ground for GE animal experimentation, like the Third World for pharma crops.
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1.Farm group rejects Truss GM crops call
ABC online, Thursday, June 30, 2005
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200506/s1403737.htm
The Federal Agriculture Minister's call for an end to state bans on genetically-modified (GM) crops has been labelled as ignorant by a farm lobby group.
Representatives of all states have sent delegates to a biotechnology conference in the United States this week, but federal Minister Warren Truss has questioned how they hope to attract biotechnology investment while a GM ban is in place.
Mr Truss has also questioned claims that by being GM-free, Australia will have a marketing advantage over overseas competitors.
Julie Newman, from the Network of Concerned Farmers, says there is already evidence of market restrictions being imposed on countries that grow GM crops.
"He only needs to open his eyes, even with wheat there's no customer that wants GM wheat," she said.
"It is not talking about a premium, it's talking about market access and those that don't want GM do not want them at any cost."
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2.NZ to develop GE cows for protein
Jun 30, 2005
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411425/595227/
New Zealand government scientists have signed a partnership with Dutch investors to develop genetically engineered cows producing human lactoferrin in their milk.
The government's biggest crown research institute, Agresearch, will work with Pharming (CRRCT) Group NV based in the Netherlands to produce the lactoferrin in New Zealand.
Pharming is one of the world's leading companies dealing in transgenic animals and plans to sell the lactoferrin around the world in a market estimated as worth $US100 million, Agresearch chief executive Andy West said.
Lactoferrin is a milk protein that boosts people's immune systems, and the GE human lactoferrin will be sold as a health product.