Greens expect GE pressure at summit

New Zealand will be pushed at next week's world summit to accept genetically engineered food as a solution to Third World hunger, says Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons.

A New Zealand delegation of 35 led by Environment Minister Marian Hobbs leaves this weekend for the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development in South Africa.

Famine will be among the global problems considered by more than 40,000 delegates at the environmental gathering. More than 100 world leaders are expected to attend.

Ms Fitzsimons said biotech companies would lobby delegates, saying GM foods were a sustainable solution to feeding the Third World.

"Certainly countries will be asked to sign up to that," she said.

"I don't know where New Zealand will stand, but there will be pressure on the New Zealand Government to agree to it because they keep on saying they want to be at the leading edge of biotech.

"I strongly hope that New Zealand doesn't sign up to that because it is demonstrably wrong that genetic engineering can feed the hungry.

"It's really important that countries don't swallow that line and sign up to it."

The Green Party has vowed to vote against any government that allows New Zealand's GM moratorium to be lifted in October next year. Its hardline stance on the issue ruled it out as a coalition partner for Labour.

Ms Hobbs said she was unaware of any pressure over GM food.

She was certain the issue would not surface at the Johannesburg summit.

"Jeanette has to understand the environment is not just about GE," she said.

"I've been to two United Nations meetings now and GE has barely registered on the radar screen.

"Access to water ... is more important as a means of ridding the world of poverty. There is no silver bullet answer to famine."

- NZPA

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