Fitzsimons Jeanette: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Fitzsimons Jeanette: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:608;Page:5685] 
4.  
JEANETTE FITZSIMONS (Co-Leader—Green) 
 to the  
Prime Minister 
: How was her statement that New Zealand’s relationship with the European Union is of “paramount importance” received by European leaders and what steps is she taking to ensure Government policy gives effect to this statement? 
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK (Prime Minister) 
: 
 New Zealand has a number of key relationships including that with the European Union. My visit to Brussels was well received because of the strength of that relationship and the Government will continue to prioritise the relationship with the European Union. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: Why is New Zealand joining a United States – led case to the World Trade Organization disputes tribunal to force European Union citizens to eat genetically engineered (GE) food and plant GE crops against their democratically expressed will? 
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK 
: The Government will participate in that case as a third party because of New Zealand’s strong interest in defending the integrity of the international World Trade Organization system and in particular the sanitary and phytosanitary agreement which requires members to set health-related standards based on scientific evidence and risk analysis. 
Hon Bill English 
: When she was discussing New Zealand’s relationship with the European Union and she said: “What everyone’s looking at is whether there is going to be a Franco-German-Russia link-up with good links through to the Chinese” has she had time since she was last questioned on this matter to find out just who “everyone” is and whether “everyone” includes New Zealand? 
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK 
: The question is falsely premised. That statement was not made in discussions in Europe. 
Hon Bill English 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I would be happy to repeat the question because I believe that the Prime Minister misheard it. I did not say that the statement was made in discussions in Europe. I actually phrased it like this: “In discussing New Zealand’s relationship with Europe ... when she made the statement” and her answer was based on misunderstanding the question I asked. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I thought the member said “discussions” but if the member says he said “discuss” I accept—[ 
Interruption 
] There is to be no interjection at all. If the member says he said “discuss” I accept his word. The Prime Minister might care to comment. 
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK 
: New Zealand has no interest in being asked to choose between the United States and Europe. Both are very important to us. 
Hon Peter Dunne 
: Which outstanding New Zealand issues with the European Union does the Prime Minister now expect to be advanced considerably as a result of her visit to Brussels? 
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK 
: I have had a concern for some time about the effects of the Schengen Agreement if implemented as it stands on the rights of New Zealanders to travel without visas for a period in Europe. Over a period of representations leading up to and including those in Brussels I believe we should be able to get some movement. Apart from that I was able to discuss with a number of European commissioners—and indeed in the bilateral visits with other Governments—the issue of getting movement on the common agricultural policy so that the European Union can make a meaningful contribution for the Doha round in getting agriculture dealt with. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: Did she discuss with European leaders her intention to undermine the social democratic notion held deeply by many European Union nations that citizens have the democratic right to elect representatives who may legislate to set standards such as for the import of GE foods; and why is she challenging this tenet of international social democracy? 
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK 
: I think that detailed questions on this should be put to the Minister for Trade Negotiations. But can I say that I am not aware that the European Union has legislated. One of the problems is that it is a de facto moratorium without limit and that is what has caused the US frustration because over a long period of time it has not been dealt with. I repeat the answer I gave to the member’s first supplementary question: New Zealand stands as the third party in the case because that enables us to set our position of setting standards based on scientific analysis and risk analysis. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: Given that GE foods have never received any safety testing and that the reason for that is the Food and Drug Administration’s decision contrary to the advice of its own scientists that it was substantially equivalent and therefore needed no safety testing what scientific information is she relying on in considering these foods to be safe? 
Hon Richard Prebble 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I suggest that the member cannot possibly authenticate her claim that GE foods have never been subject to any safety checking. There is an enormous amount of checking going on with all food. It is a ridiculous question. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I am not here to judge the question. The Prime Minister however I am sure will be able to provide a brief answer. 
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK 
: The European Union like New Zealand like the United States has very stringent food safety standards but I do not think that this is an issue of food safety. I think it is an issue of a de facto moratorium that has gone on and on and is not seen to be based on thorough scientific evidence and risk analysis. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: I seek leave to table documents presented to the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification showing that the Food and Drug Administration overrode the advice of its own scientists. 
Documents by leave laid on the Table of the House. 
Hon Bill English 
: I seek leave to table the document I referred to in my question—a memorandum from Nicholas Bain of the Prime Minister’s department to the Prime Minister. 
Document not tabled.