Caroline Saunders from Lincoln University's agribusiness and economics research unit says GM food releases have not benefited producers anywhere in the world, and economic modelling shows the situation for New Zealand is no different.
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No point to GM say academics
Sep 07, 2003
http://onenews.nzoom.com/onenews_detail/0,1227,218948-1-7,00.html
A new study from Lincoln University shows that release of genetically modified (GM) crops will have no financial benefit for producers.
The details were presented at a biotechnology symposium at Victoria University in Wellington, which was looking at the impacts of GM.
Caroline Saunders from Lincoln University's agribusiness and economics research unit says GM food releases have not benefited producers anywhere in the world, and economic modelling shows the situation for New Zealand is no different.
Professor Saunders says producers will only benefit from GM crops when consumers demand them, and New Zealand producers do not have anything to gain from growing GM food.
Saunders warns that any potential for increased productivity from GM crops would not lead to higher producer returns, saying it is better to have greater demand through shorter supply.
Meanwhile, Crown Research Institute scientists told the symposium that initial studies show certain GM plants have little or no affect on soil nematodes, honey bees, and some other insects.
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GM DEMOCRACY - NATIONAL FARMERS UNION SPOKESPERSON IN CANADA
"In a real democracy, the government would say in the interests of the citizens that we don't want this. The fact is, GM technology has nothing to offer. It's like a doctor saying, "Here's a pill. It won't make you feel any better, and it might be bad for you." Who wants to swallow that? But Monsanto want it, and we don't have a real democracy."
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=1394
NEW ZEALAND MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT: 'GM industry falling apart worldwide'
"How many polls, protests and warning signs does it take...? The Government is not listening to science, to its own voters or to our overseas markets. Countries that embraced GM food in the mid-1990s were ignorant and careless. Countries that voluntarily give up their coveted GM-free status now are being deliberately and obstinately foolish."
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3519881&thesection=news&thesubsection=dialogue
CANADIAN FARMER ARNOLD TAYLOR ON GM
"The land forgives a lot. But this is a step too far. We play with nature at our peril. And Nature always bats last. She'll have the final say. We think we've got it sorted - but we've really no idea what we are doing."
"They tell us that GM food isn't bad for our health, but the jury may be out on that for years. And why should we believe them anyway? They told us GM would help farming, and it has brought nothing but trouble."
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=1394