Back Hon. J. Anderton
Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand
Mr. Chairman, distinguished guests, speakers and representatives of the
international community,
Welcome - and greetings to you all-
I thank you for the opportunity given to me to deliver the opening address
of this conference. I have a strong interest in the way that New Zealand
has developed its economy, which is sustainable. However, we need to have
more employment, while preserving our natural environment and strengthening
our local and regional communities. Since becoming the Minister of Economic
Industry and Regional Development, I have visited many industries and regions
in New Zealand - I did not know that our country had so many regions! I
do hope that I can help them develop in a sustainable way.
On these visits, I have seen how New Zealanders are trying to improve their
country both innovatively and creatively. In this venture, organic agriculture
presents significant opportunities. I have met individuals and visited
communities across New Zealand, which are investigating how they could
produce food that is safe and free of harmful chemicals and toxic materials.
The growing use of natural microbes in waste management promises large
benefits, particularly for New Zealand and the clean green environment,
which we have sought to develop here. Agricultural initiatives and waste
management opportunities fit well into the goals of this government, for
sustainable economic development in New Zealand.
Sustainability is a hard word to explain - However it is a fashionable
word today - where everyone puts this word in front of everything. It is
discussed within the government on a regular basis and it echoes in other
corners of New Zealand and around the world. Hence it is certainly fashionable
- but this is neither a recommendation nor a criticism. In my view, sustainable
economic development is being talked about because it is an idea whose
time has now arrived. We understand that it means meeting the needs of
the present generation, without compromising the future generations to
meet their own needs. This is a definition adopted by the Labor - Alliance
government last year, and which appeared in the United Nations publication
of 1987 called gOur Common Future.h
Talking of the environment and using resources wisely are important goals.
I understand that the background to Kyusei Nature Farming, which is contributing
significant elements of this conference, has a strong lesson for New Zealand.
The website of the Asia Pacific Natural Agriculture Network states that
Nature Farming was developed in Japan. For many years, the results were
not sufficient to provide adequate food for the majority of the population.
This changed in the 1980fs when Professor Teruo Higa, distinguished international
professor introduced the concept of microorganisms. Beneficial microorganisms
were cultured and used as a means of improving soil conditions. These microorganisms
suppressed diseases and improved the efficiency of organic matter utilization
by crops. By 1989, the results were so successful that an international
conference was organized, where the Asia Pacific Natural Agriculture Network
was formed. The primary aim of the Asia Pacific Natural Agriculture Network
was to establish an international network of scientists in the region to
test the new technology and promote its use.
Today, science, especially biological sciences could have a significant
beneficial impact on communities. This is true even in New Zealand. New
Zealand is learning and benefiting from your innovative and important work,
and of course, New Zealanders are themselves contributing to nature farming
development. Christchurch itself recycles green wastes using organic technologies
and I understand that delegates will hear more of this from the City Council
staff during the conference.
Ways and means to improve how food is produced is of great interest to
New Zealand. Agriculture is an important part of our economy and we are
doing much better than most of our trading partners. As agriculture and
its development are very fundamental bases for our economy, new technologies
must be used to improve this sector. The new technologies must be applied
and our resource base developed, as agricultural production is worth between
12 - 19 billion dollars per year, which is approximately 45% of all our
exports to the international community. I must emphasize that one of the
reasons that the regions of New Zealand are so strong at the moment is
because of the applied technologies that are used on our renewable resource
base and agriculture.
A stronger organic industry will certainly have significant benefits in
economic terms for us in New Zealand. As you begin this conference, I am
reminded of the current debate globally and in New Zealand on genetic engineering.
This government today has adopted a recommendation of a Royal Commission
to safeguard our environment from genetically modified crops. I reiterate
that this coalition government has ensured that there will be no release
of genetically modified material for at least two years and even then,
nothing will be released unless proven to be safe. Under the new conditions
proposed by the Alliance party, which is led by me, all materials associated
with any trial in the laboratory or in the field must be removable. This
goes a lot further than the previous moratorium, which required that all
heritable material be removed. We now have a compulsory requirement for
inspection and monitoring of all GM research. This government is adamant
that GM research must not contaminate the environment, while so many risks
remain unknown. We have argued for the safe and sensible containment of
GM research in the absence of certain safely guidelines. At the same time,
we need to broaden the debate. We need to pursue organic and non-genetically
modified farming technologies. The government is committed to the organic
industry and hence in April last year, parliament was presented with a
report from the Primary Productions Select Committee, inquiring into organic
agriculture in New Zealand. This report recommended that a national minimum
standard be developed that will certify New Zealand produce to ensure access
to the high value markets and for better consumer labeling. This recommendation
was adopted and a quarter of million dollars was allocated last year by
the government for this purpose. Standards New Zealand is now developing
these standards. Last September, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
published a report for the organics-working group. This report recommends
the development of a national strategic plan for the organic industry.
This is similar to the development plans for other industries, which are
being laid by this government. I as Minister of Economic Development has
established a process to create industry plans for key transforming industries.
The industries already involved are word processing, manufacturing, clothing
and footwear.
At the time of establishing lists of transforming industries, we also identified
biotechnology. Biotechnology is the scientific use of living things, specifically
cells and bacteria in industrial processes. As we ensure that we have the
safeguards to prevent genetically engineered elements entering our environment,
we also need to pursue the benefits of non-GM technology. My colleague
the Minister of Agriculture announced the award of 80,000 dollars for national
strategic plans for the organic industry and the terms of reference will
be finalized in the coming weeks. These plans will be computed by the end
of this year.
This conference provides an ample opportunity to raise and debate these
issues again. It also provides an opportunity for New Zealanders to learn
from your experiences. The knowledge that you bring with you is of great
importance to our country. I must inform you that we in New Zealand are
very good at learning from others and adopting and hopefully making those
technologies even better. I do believe that New Zealanders are among the
most creative people on this planet. In March this year, there is an innovation
event here in Christchurch - which is a showcase to promote innovations
of New Zealanders, who sometimes are reluctant to celebrate the triumphs
of their own country.
This conference is one of celebration of innovation. I welcome and acknowledge
your innovations and pioneering spirit that you have brought with it, along
with eminent scientists and guests to New Zealand. I wish you all well
for the rest of the conference and with great pleasure, declare this conference
officially open.
Thank you.