This is all the more important since our economy is reliant on primary produce. Engineered Maize sticks in Europe's throat. Flavr Savr tomato not available. British Biotech cash call in danger as shares fall. Previously, New Zealand has had a reputation overseas for producing quality food.
Surveys show consumers prefer natural foods.
Other European polls have found that a majority of consumers are very unlikely to buy such foods. In response to consumer pressure during 1996, massive new overseas markets began to open up for countries who could demonstrate that their produce was free of genetic engineering. They may source their soybeans from African countries or from alternative US suppliers who have already set up purity guarantee systems. Therefore we have the option of keeping New Zealand free of genetically engineered foods to protect our own natural environment and maintain a commercial agricultural export advantage over our larger competitors who are recklessly introducing genetically altered foods without due regard for long term consequences or the preferences of consumers. Otherwise we may face many unanticipated, irreversible problems leading to food shortages, irreversible ecological damage, and large-scale health threats.