Discussion Paper 

Voluntary GM-Free Labelling 

April 2003

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Contents

• Foreword
• Call for Submissions
• Official Information and Privacy
  • Official Information Act 1982
  • Privacy Act 1993
• 1. Introduction
  • 1.1 Overview
  • 1.2 Purpose of this Paper
• 2. Why Develop a GM-Free Labelling System?
  • 2.1 Overview: the Role of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification
  • 2.2 Government's Response
  • 2.3 Scoping Exercise
• 3. What Are the Boundaries within Which a Labelling System Can Be Developed?
  • 3.1 Overview
  • 3.2 Fair Trading Act 1986
  • 3.3 Food Standard 1.5.2
  • 3.4 International Issues
• 4. Why Become Involved in a Labelling System?
  • 4.1 Overview
  • 4.2 Consumer Expectations
    • 4.2.1 Transaction Costs
    • 4.2.2 Meaningful Information
    • 4.2.3 Consumer Confidence
  • 4.3 Industry Expectations
    • 4.3.1 Benefits
    • 4.3.2 Risks
    • 4.3.3 Costs
• 5. Use of a "GM-Free" Label
  • 5.1 Overview
  • 5.2 Terminology
    • 5.2.1 Alternative Terminology
    • 5.2.2 GM-Free Symbol
    • 5.2.3 Labelling Where There Are No GM Counterparts or Equivalents
• 6. Labelling System
  • 6.1 Overview
  • 6.2 Verifying Claims
  • 6.3 Standardised Label
• 7. Self-Regulatory Options for a Labelling System
  • 7.1 Overview
  • 7.2 Standards
    • 7.2.1 National Standards
    • 7.2.2 GM-Free National Standard
  • 7.3 Code of Practice
    • 7.3.1 GM-Free Code of Best Practice
  • 7.4 Third-Party Certification
    • 7.4.1 Specialist Certification Organisation
    • 7.4.2 Stakeholder Association
    • 7.4.3 Certified Standard
• 8. Factors for Assessing Options for a GM-Free Labelling System
  • 8.1 Overview: Ownership and Administration Issues
  • 8.2 Technical Expertise
  • 8.3 Consumer Confidence
  • 8.4 Flexibility
  • 8.5 Ongoing Support
  • 8.6 Dispute Resolution
  • 8.7 Funding
• 9. Next Steps
• Appendix One: Organisations Represented at the Key Stakeholders' Meeting - Wellington, 27 February 2002
• Appendix Two: Fair Trading Act 1986
  • Fines and Offences under the Act
• Appendix Three: Examples of GM-Free Claims
• Appendix Four: International Issues
  • Australia
  • Codex and Technical Barriers to Trade
  • Other Export Markets

New Zealand Food Safety Authority
68-86 Jervois Quay, PO Box 2835
Wellington, New Zealand
Phone: 04-463 2500, Fax: 04-463 2501

Ministry of Consumer Affairs
33 Bowen Street, PO Box 1473
Wellington, New Zealand
Phone: 04-474 2750, Fax: 04-473 9400
Email: mcainfo@mca.govt.nz

ISBN 0-478-26336-8

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