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Economic Benefit for New Zealand In Meeting Demand for Clone-Free Food

Monday, January 21, 2008
Posted in Cloning | Tagged Cloning

New Zealand’s food exports to the world could get a boost by meeting the demand for clean, natural, and safe “clone-free” food. Despite consumer resistance, demands for testing and labelling,�and calls by Congress for�more research, US authorities have approved for sale food products derived from cloned animals. “Many US consumers will�look for sources of natural, clone-free foods. As clones penetrate the US industry manufacturers worldwide will seek out alternative supplies and New Zealand producers�should be high on the list,” says Jon Carapiet from GE Free NZ in food and environment. �

The issue of cloned animals has yet to be debated in New Zealand, but marketing realities mean that even if some�people�in the agricultural sector want to use cloned animals, they�risk�sabotaging our international brand reputation on which our economy relies. � To ensure consumer confidence in New Zealand products worldwide, New Zealand producers should maintain a GE-free and Clone-free policy. � This needs to be backed up by traceability “from farm to fork”, and labelling of products�to ensure they are clearly marketed as clone-free and in line with our Brand reputation as clean, green and natural New Zealand. �

ENDS

(GE Free NZ Press Release)

� REFERENCES:

FDA Approves Food from Clones against the Will of Congress and the American Public � http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/�

Despite scant data, congressional action demanding further research and over 150,000 public comments in opposition, FDA approved the sale of meat and milk from cloned animals yesterday. In addition, the FDA will not require any special procedures for tracking or handling food products from clones.� It�will not�require labeling of any kind on food products from clones or their offspring, depriving consumers of their right to know about the origins of their food. This action comes at a time when�Congress has voted twice to delay FDA’s decision on cloned animals until additional safety and economic studies can be completed.���

The FDA’s bullheaded action disregards the will of the public and Congress. FDA based their decision on an incomplete and flawed review that relies on studies supplied by cloning companies that want to force cloning technology on American consumers.� FDA’s action has placed the interests of a handful of biotech firms above those of the public they are charged with protecting. While FDA may deem these products safe to enter the market, companies like Ben & Jerry’s and Organic Valley have pledged not to use cloned animals or their offspring. Dean Foods, Hormel, Tyson and Smithfield Foods have also stated they do not plan to accept milk or meat from cloned animals, but have not addressed their plans regarding the offspring of clones.