GE feed shows lack of vision by Fonterra

Fonterra needs to come clean about how much genetically engineered (GE) feed it is importing into New Zealand for the dairy industry, the Green Party said today.

Recent reports in Farming Newspaper, Straight Furrow, have shown huge increases in GE cotton seed meal and GE soy being imported to feed dairy cows.

"Using increasing amounts of GE cotton seed and soy to feed dairy cows just shows the lack of vision from Fonterra about maintaining high returns for New Zealand farmers," Green Party genetic engineering spokesperson Steffan Browning said today.

"Fonterra should be transparent about what they, and their suppliers, are importing into New Zealand to feed our dairy herds.

"New Zealand farmers should insist on GE-free supplies if they want an international point of difference for their products.

"Because these crops are not for human consumption they aren't labelled as GE and farmers may not even be aware that they are feeding GE food to their cows.

"Fonterra is trying to market our dairy products as from grass-fed cows living on rolling green hills, but this is starting to be far from the truth.

"New Zealand's best farmers are careful about what they feed their cows and focus on high quality diverse pasture management and appropriate stocking rates, which fits the picture our high value customers here and overseas want.

"Using GE stock feed is continuing a race to the commodity bottom of farming production and returns.

"The Government and Fonterra need to wake up and set a sustainable high value, and GE free vision, for agriculture in New Zealand."