Coast & Country is a rurally focussed newspaper. It appears unannounced in my rural mail box. I always read it. Why – because as a country we are still principally supported by traditional agriculture and horticulture albeit now developed to agribusiness levels.
Not too far into Issue 167 is an article written by one of my district neighbours. I’ve sat at her table, drunk her tea and met her family. She’s a wonderfully normal, funny and engaging woman and mother. She also has an agribusiness degree from Monash University and she is currently a researcher and writer with an agribusiness focus. She’s Jodie Bruning.
The article is about genetic engineering, GMO’s – food and crops and the stance of since elected Federated Farmers National President, Dr William Rolleston. While the article states Jodie’s opposition to GM food and crops for me the most interesting statement is “Perhaps the NZ Government has spent more than $100 million taxpayer dollars on genetic engineering. This doesn’t appear to be clearly declared… We need to understand where our limited tax dollars are being directed and who will benefit in the long run.” A response by Dr William Rolleston is printed below Jodie’s article. I couldn’t find any mention in that of the issue of governmental genetic engineering funding.
You can read the whole article at http://issuu.com/sunmedia/docs/candc_july_small
Rosemary Balu
