Labelling a complex issue

In response to the letter from T.T. Mok headlined, 'Corporate double-speak' (South China Morning Post, December 11), DuPont China would like to clarify the comments made by Anthony Tan, who was quoted in your December 6 report, on labelling.

During the interview, Mr Tan indicated that labelling is a complex issue. The complexities create significant challenges.

For example, government regulations are developing in varying ways and at varying speeds in different countries. This has the potential to create great complexity. And there are many questions that still need to be addressed such as tracking materials as they move around the globe and developing accurate and cost-effective testing technology, to name a couple.

These challenges will have to be met so that the objective of protecting consumers' rights can be achieved.

DuPont supports the consumer's right to make informed choices about the products they purchase and use, and views labelling as one of many ways to give consumers access to information. Where labelling is determined to be the most appropriate way to provide meaningful information, DuPont will join in developing workable labelling systems.

DuPont is a scientific company. Biotechnology is a technology platform that will help the company achieve the goal of contributing to creating a more sustainable future for generations to come.

Efforts based on this platform include finding ways to produce chemicals and polymers via biological routes and gene enhancement is one of the many efforts.

Presently DuPont has only one genetically enhanced product approved for commercialisation in the US and it is not yet in the market place.

MINI LAM External Affairs Manager Du Pont China Ltd