Green MP Sue Kedgley wants new regulations on genetically-engineered animal feed following reports of a trial that found twice as many chickens died when fed a diet of GE maize compared to conventional maize.
In the Canadian study, which was reported by Britain's Daily Mail newspaper, half a group of 280 male birds were fed GE maize while the other half were fed conventional maize.
Five fed the conventional diet died while 10 chickens fed GE maize died.
Ms Kedgley said today she hoped comprehensive trials would be carried out following the initial findings.
The Daily Mail quoted two farm specialists as saying the trial was too small and the death rates of the birds should have triggered more research.
The trial has been used to back up an application to grow the new crop in Britain.
Ms Kedgley said there should be labelling rules in New Zealand to identify when animals had been given GE feed.
".... we need regulations controlling GE stockfeed, and tighter labelling laws to identify meat, eggs and dairy products from animals that have been fed GE stockfeed."
It was a "bizarre anomaly" that New Zealand had no rules about feeding animals GE stock feed, Ms Kedgley said.
"GE stockfeed should be regulated in the same way as GE food destined for human use and other GE organisms. After all, the risks to the environment and health are similar no matter whether we are talking GE cows, GE grains or GE animal food," she said.
Ms Kedgley is drafting a member's bill requiring labelling for animals fed GE feed, and comprehensive labelling for any food produced using gene technology.
Members' bills are drawn from a ballot.
- NZPA
Chicken trial alarms Green MP
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