Joining the call to err on the side of caution when it comes to gene technology, the Soil & Health Association of New Zealand has officially submitted its comprehensive response to Food Standards Australia New Zealand, rejecting Proposal P1055.
The proposal seeks to change the definition of genetic engineering technologies used in food production, to accommodate new technologies and regulate foods according to the risk they pose.
The association also urges Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to extend the consultation period by at least a month to allow for sufficient time to make submissions.
“Redefining gene technology to exclude new breeding techniques (like gene editing) without proper labels and safety checks threatens our ability to choose what we eat. We stand for transparency and informed choices in food consumption, not ambiguity,” Charles Hyland, soil scientist and co-chair of the Soil & Health Association, said.
Echoing this sentiment, Jenny Lux, organic producer and co-chair of Soil & Health, highlighted the potential impacts on the organic sector.
“Introducing gene-edited products into our food system without clear labels could inadvertently lead organic foods to contain genetically engineered ingredients. This is unacceptable and undermines the trust consumers place in organic labels.
“People are concerned not just about what’s in their food, but also about how it’s been produced. The global market for non-GMO foods is growing.”
The public is urged to participate actively in the consultation process by making individual submissions to FSANZ. The deadline for these submissions is September 10, 2024, at 8pm New Zealand time. Submissions can be made via email or through the FSANZ consultation hub.
