A taxpayer sponsored conference featuring a number of pro-GE lobbyists and companies signals government intent to push genetic modification, says the Green Party.
The party's primary production spokesperson, Steffan Browning, says the Minister of Science and Innovation, Steven Joyce, needs to come clean about how much taxpayer funding is being used for the conference which features representatives from some of the biggest companies promoting genetic modification.
"The hosting of this conference in New Zealand, and the fact the Government is supporting this conference financially shows, an intent to push genetic modification," says Browning.
He says while New Zealand's global advantage is based on our clean, green image, the government sponsoring a conference full of the biggest names in genetic food modification undermines our clean, green brand.
"Government sponsorship sends a signal that New Zealand is interested in moving into becoming a player in the GE biotech and GE food industries.
