(First published 1st January, 2025 - Updated 3rd January, 2025)
New Zealand is best going organic because the world is demanding safe, healthy food. Health-conscious and discerning consumers are increasingly opposing genetically modified (GM) foods. You do not have to look far to see that organic products have a powerful and growing global following. Shoppers, from everyday mothers cooking dinner to athletes who compete, want to know what they are eating and that it is healthy and clean. They want to know that what they are buying is both nutritious and clean, and they are prepared to pay a premium for these foods. In New Zealand, where our "clean", "green" reputation is so deeply valued, adopting GM food production puts our nation's agricultural exports at an economic risk.
Why? Because this hard-earned reputation of excellence is a cornerstone of our export success. The moment we start playing around with genetically engineered crops, we risk tarnishing that image in the eyes of international markets.
More than just a label, organic and non-GM designations command premium prices. If we are to sustain our First World status, then we have to shift from producing low-value mass-produced commodities, and shift to high-value products. Overseas buyers consistently pay top dollar for our dairy, meat, fruits, and other produce, precisely because they perceive them to be safer, healthier, and environmentally responsible.
Introducing GM food into the mix could spook these vital markets — sending them to look elsewhere for "clean" produce. New Zealand cannot afford to jeopardise a trust that has taken generations to build. Whether you are a farmer, a consumer, or a business owner, there is a clear message here: preserving our competitive edge and ensuring long-term prosperity involves protecting the integrity of our food supply.
By staying away from GMOs and growing nutritious, high-value organic products, we can still make money from global consumers. We also make sure our families and our international customers are safe about what they eat.
(Evidence supporting what is claimed, is listed at the end of this article).
Bringing Consumer Power to the Fore
Please read this article:
I wonder if Biozest will give us a list of the farmers and other food producers who use their products instead of drugs and chemicals? We can then take that list, circulate it widely, and encourage consumers to buy their produce preferentially. In the end, the market rules. If people do not buy a product but buy a competitor's product, then the one that is not selling dies, unless someone fixes it to be on a par with the ones that sell. We saw this happen with caged eggs: Consumers were shifting to "free range" eggs, and demand for these eggs reached a tipping point where the big supermarkets announced they were phasing out eggs from caged chickens. The regulators followed in tandem, updating the regulations, and within a few more years, caged egg production in NZ ceased. We need to do this with food produced with drugs like Bovaea and also with genetically engineered products.
The Problem with GE
The proponents of GE for NZ are being sneaky with their proposed GE legislation, and to the point of being downright frightening. Among many concerns, it removes protections in food labelling. The Bill allows GE food to be sold without suitable labelling. What this means is consumers will lose their ability to pick "clean" foods. However, the biggest problem, in the context of this article is, once a GE life form is released into the environment, there is as good as zero chance that it can be contained. For starters, organic food producers risk having their crops contaminated by GE DNA — and it is inevitable. Once released, the GE DNA Genie can not be controlled. Have we not learned anything from the COVID-19 biolab fiasco. DNA is the essence of life, and mad scientists are fiddling with it. They are playing God. We exchange DNA with every life form. Once in the environment, altered DNA can not be contained.
Please read some of my articles here about DNA:
Dr Guy Hatchard explains our concerns about this GE Bill better than I can in his articles here, and in this video:
And this video helps you to make a submission on the Bill, but why not wait a week while we prepare better guidelines for you, which I will publish.
Supporting Research and Articles by Reputable Sources
In this article, I said that more and more people want organic foods. They do not like genetically modified (GM) foods, drugs, or food made with chemicals. To support these claims, here are studies from an AI search that align with each point:
1. Consumer Demand for Organic Foods:
Study on Organic Food Consumption and Health: A systematic review and meta-analysis found that increased organic food consumption is associated with a lower risk of certain health conditions, which may drive consumer demand.
Impact of Organic Foods on Health and Chronic Diseases: This systematic review suggests that organic food consumption is inversely associated with cardiometabolic risk factors, potentially influencing consumer preferences.
Review on Organic Food and Health Benefits: An article discusses the potential health benefits of organic foods, including reduced pesticide exposure, which may contribute to consumer demand.
2. Rejection of Genetically Modified (GM) Foods:
Evaluation of Adverse Effects of GM Food Consumption: A systematic review of animal and human studies assessed the safety of GM foods, reflecting ongoing public concerns and rejection by some consumers.
GMOs and Food Safety Overview: An article discusses consumer concerns about the safety of GM foods, highlighting the ongoing debate and rejection by certain market segments.
Health Risks of Genetically Modified Foods: A review article discusses potential health risks associated with GM foods, which may contribute to consumer rejection.
3. Rejection of Chemical-Based Food Production:
Health Implications of Organic Food and Agriculture: A review discusses the potential health benefits of organic agriculture, including reduced exposure to chemical residues, which may influence consumer preferences.
Environmental Health Perspectives
Advantages and Nutritional Value of Organic Food: An article discusses the perceived health benefits of organic foods over conventional ones, which may lead to rejection of chemically produced foods.
Consumer Perceptions of Organic Foods: A study explores consumer perceptions of organic foods, including beliefs about reduced chemical exposure, influencing their purchasing decisions.
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