Corngate

Corngate was a political scandal which took place in New Zealand in 2002 and involved the release of genetically modified corn seed in 2000. The presence of a small percentage of GE corn in seed shipments from the US was raised by Nicky Hagar in his book Seeds of Distrust. The percentage was found well after sowing to be above "allowable limits" of contamination.

Related Topics:
Scandal - New Zealand - 2002 - Genetically modified - Corn - 2000 - US - Nicky Hagar

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It became politically important, due to the New Zealand Green Party stance on GE foods. The ruling Labour Party policy regarding GE Research was brought into the argument allowing Corngate to become an election issue as the book, Seeds of Distrust was released a few months prior to the 2002 Parliamentary elections.

Related Topics:
New Zealand Green Party - GE - Labour Party - 2002 - Parliamentary - Elections

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A Select committee, including members of the Green Party, was formed to investigate the matter. Green Party statements claim the committee was "obstructed" by the Novartis subsidery Syngentahttp://greens.co.nz/searchdocs/other7978.html?rnd=3346 in refusing to release test results.

Related Topics:
Select committee - Novartis - Syngenta

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The scandal was further intensified when news anchor John Campbell interviewed NZ Prime Minister Helen Clark about the issue. It ended with Clark labelling Campbell a 'little creep'

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The name comes from the Watergate scandal in U.S. Politics. It has become popular in New Zealand journalism to suffix any politically or significantly embarrassing event with "gate", such as "Paintergate" or "Powdergate".

Related Topics:
Watergate scandal - U.S. Politics - Journalism - Paintergate - Powdergate

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