No chance of changing GE policy, Clark says

11.45am

Prime Minister Helen Clark says the Government is not going to change its genetic engineering policy despite protests at the weekend.

Thousands of demonstrators marched in Auckland, Wellington and other cities to protest against the lifting of the moratorium for releasing GE organisms on October 29.

"The legislation for the moratorium was passed 18 months ago and no, the Government won't be revisiting it," Helen Clark told Newstalk ZB radio.

Police estimated 15,000 people joined an anti-GE march in Auckland on Saturday and about 1500 marched through Wellington.

The turnout in Christchurch was estimated at 2000 and in Dunedin 700.

They were organised by Greenpeace, Mothers Against Genetic Engineering and the GE-free coalition.

Green MP Sue Kedgley said it was not too late for the Government to introduce legislation to extend the ban.

Helen Clark ended any chance of that with her confirmation today that the moratorium would be lifted.

Environment Minister Marian Hobbs said any application to the Environmental Risk Management Authority, after the moratorium was lifted, would be carefully considered.

"It's unlikely I think that New Zealanders will see fresh genetically-engineered food on sale in New Zealand for maybe eight or 10 years, if ever," she told Newstalk ZB.

- NZPA