3. STEVE CHADWICK (NZ Labour — Rotorua) to the Minister for Food Safety : What reports has she received regarding New Zealand's organic food certification? Hon. ANNETTE KING (Minister for Food Safety): New Zealand certification of organic food has recently been recognised by the US Department of Agriculture's national organic programme. This allows the application of the department's organic seal on New Zealand organic agricultural products when all regulations have been met, and it will secure our growing organic export market to the United States. Steve Chadwick: What other agreements regarding New Zealand's organic certification have been reached? Hon. ANNETTE KING: The decision of the US Department of Agriculture follows the European Union's acceptance of New Zealand's official organic assurance programme. New Zealand is one of the few countries to gain third-country listing, which means that there is a Government-to-Government agreement between the European Union and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority for New Zealand organic products exported to European Union member countries. I commend the efforts of officials and the organic product exporters of New Zealand. It is recognition of our evidence-based approach to certification that is internationally trusted and respected. Judith Collins: As the Government's announcement, on 8 November, of this new organic certification has made it to only one New Zealand daily, the Southland Times , is she disappointed with the performance of the "Burns unit"? Hon. ANNETTE KING: I do not see how this has anything to do with anything the Government puts out. Whether newspapers decide to use it is another matter, but I think it is very good. I would have thought that the National Opposition would be welcoming it and putting it in their taxpayers' newsletters to all their constituents. Ian Ewen-Street: Given that the New Zealand organic industry paid for the setting up of this accreditation scheme, and continues to pay the full cost of its operation by the Food Safety Authority, can she see any justification for the organic industry having to subsidise the genetic engineering industry to fund the operation of the mediation service being mooted as a way of facilitating coexistence of genetically engineered and organic agriculture in New Zealand; and if so, can she explain why the genetic engineering industry should be treated preferentially? Hon. ANNETTE KING: No, I cannot comment on that. All I can say is that the programme is at the request of the industry and it is fully funded by it.