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01/09/2012
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'Find Ethical Path' Biotech Delegates Urged: "Don't be Evil"
Posted Wed, 29/08/2012 - 18:33
Biopiracy threat as Multinational Giants Pitch GM to Maori Businesses
Press Release: Tuesday 28th August 2012, 2.30pm.
Te Waka Kai Ora (National Māori Organics Authority Aotearoa)
For immediate release
The upcoming conference titled “Adapting to a Changing World” run by GE multinationals Monsanto and DuPont has sparked intense debate throughout Aotearoa and Māori communities. Te Waka Kai Ora (the National Māori Organics Authority Aotearoa) takes a strong stand against Genetic Modification and the insidious campaigns by such multinationals to push their agenda on indigenous communities. Te Waka Kai Ora act as the facilitators for Hua Parakore maara kai (pure food growing), using a tikanga based verification system which encourages the use of GE-free, nano-free, pesticide and chemical-free production methods, while enhancing their whanau and community aspirations.
Posted Sun, 12/08/2012 - 23:06
GE FREE NORTHLAND Press Release
ll August 2012
AUSTRALIAN FARMERS HIGHLIGHT GE DANGERS
"GE isn't a solution, it's just another problem for farmers, and a big one,"
-Bob Mackley, Duchembegarra, Western Victoria, Australia
Two Australian farmers visited the Whangarei Saturday Market on the
weekend and gave a presentation at the Old Library on Rust Avenue.
They shared their first-hand experience of genetically engineered
crops in their communities with 50+ ratepayers in attendance,
including local farmers.
Seed farmers Bob Mackley, of Victoria, and Julie Newman, of Western
Australia, are both strongly against genetically engineered food
crops, observing from personal experience how they can damage a farm’s
reputation, negatively impact on finite resources like soils and the
farmers access to key markets and premiums. GE crops also serve to
divide rural communities, due to the nature of transgenic pollution
that does not respect property boundaries.
Mr. Mackley and Ms. Newman said genetic engineering of crops
effectively passed control of a country’s seed supply to the
government or foreign multinationals, rather than being in the hands
of farmers. The pair discussed issues of liability, the impossibility
of co-existence between GE and non-GE farmers and the contamination
problems already occurring in Victoria and Western Australia.
"These conventional farmers from Australia gave us a strong message-
saying local primary producers need to continue to work with our local
councils to protect our existing valuable GM free status", GE Free
Northland spokesperson Martin Robinson said today.
Marlborough-based Green Party list-MP Steffan Browning brought the
Australians to Whangarei as part of an 11-day tour of New Zealand. He
Posted Sun, 12/08/2012 - 22:17
Tasmania and South Australia are both official GM Free food producing regions. Tasmania has prohibited the commercial production of GM crops for some years now, and has a branding programme to position the state as the home of gourmet foods. As it states, “global negatives” (such as GM foods) can be turned to the state’s advantage. They’ve got a great story…
Posted Sun, 12/08/2012 - 22:16
Hawke’s Bay took one step closer to establishing a genetic engineering-free food status for the region when the Hastings District Council expressed support for the vision, writes Lawrence Gullery of Hawke’s Bay Today.
Pure Hawke’s Bay presented to the Hastings Council’s long-term plan hearing this week to put its case forward for a GE-free district and the council responded by voting unanimously in support of the proposal.
The council was keen to join Napier in declaring itself GE-free but wanted to take the concept a step further, writing it into its district plan to give it some legal clout.
The idea is to protect the growing soils of the Heretaunga Plains which supports the region’s primary and horticulture economy.
The council was also keen to become a national leader of the GE-free movement rather than wait for the Government to come up with a national policy. Currently only Whangarei is moving in the GE-free direction.
The status would give food producers a point of difference when marketing overseas and put tighter rules around applications for GE crops to be grown in the district.
Pure Hawke’s Bay said it was not “anti-science” but believed research around GE foods should be restricted “to the labs” and not grown out in crops in New Zealand.
Posted Sat, 14/04/2012 - 23:19
Posted Sat, 14/04/2012 - 21:26
Dear supporters of GE Free Northland :)
ACTION ALERT: your submissions are needed to the NRC draft Long Term Council Community Plan 2012/22
(deadline 3pm, Thursday 19 April 2012)
please help us achieve sound environmental outcomes and protect our existing valuable GE free status and growing organic industry ;)
Now is the time to influence what the Northland Regional Council does for the next 10 years – with our ratepayer $$$. NRC is currently asking for your feedback on our Draft Long Term Plan- don't miss out!
In addition to any other environmental concerns you may have (protection of Northland public and conservation lands from mining and so forth, how to better protect Northland freshwater lakes and rivers), it is important that Northlanders let the NRC know that the very short (and rather weak) precautionary GE policy written in the NRC draft LTCP needs strengthening.
Whangarei District Council has an excellent, strong precautionary GE policy in its draft LTCCP 2012/22- NRC needs to lift its game!
Send your submission by 3pm, l9 April to:
email:
mailroom@nrc.govt.nz
by post:
NRC draft LTCCP 2012/22 document
Northland Regional Council
Private Bag 9021
Whangarei 0148
or...if time is too short to post... drop off by hand to your local NRC office (in Whangarei, Water Street)
other quick options:
Fax (09) 438 0012
online submission:
http://haveyoursay.nrc.govt.nz/ltpandrltp
Posted Fri, 02/12/2011 - 15:05
Call to Action- Have your Say on GMOs in Northland. Protect our
existing valuable GE free status!
Submissions needed to Northland Regional Council by 3pm, Friday 9th
December 2011 in response to the NRC draft Regional Policy Statement
(RPS) document.
It's easy - with our key points/ suggestions below :) thanks!
for your help.
What's it all about?
The Draft New RPS for Northland provides a broad direction and
framework for managing Northland's natural and physical resources,
including land, water, minerals, plants, animals and built structures.
It is made up of:
Principles to guide the way it is carried out, identified regionally
significant issues, objectives to address the issues, and policies and
methods to achieve the objectives. You can access the Draft new RPS
using the link below.
It is only reviewed once every 10 years, and certain individuals are
trying to weaken important environmental policies and focus unduly on
economic development.
www.nrc.govt.nz/Your-Council/Council-Projects/New-Regional-Policy-Statement-/Draft-RPS-released/
In addition to whatever other issues are of concern to you, there is
an urgent need to make submissions to the NRC noting the glaring
omission of the NRC's precautionary GE policy, as proposed in the NRC
RPS Discussion Document 2010.
In response to this precautionary GE provision (put forward by the NRC
last year), the NRC received the largest number of submissions made on
any issue raised in the NRC RPS Discussion document 2010, supporting a
Posted Sat, 26/11/2011 - 14:56
GE FREE NZ Press Release
21 November 2011
Government Research Agenda Goes Against New Zealand Brand
The Ministry of Environment's research into promoting greater use of novel organisms is off-stategy for the New Zealand Brand and shows an intention to dilute bio-security standards.
Posted Wed, 16/11/2011 - 17:44
GE FREE NORTHLAND Press Release l6 November 2011
NRC NEEDS TO DO MORE TO SUPPORT NORTHLAND TERRITORIAL AUTHORITIES AND
THE AUCKLAND COUNCIL IN KEEPING RISKY GMOs OUT OF THE REGION
GE Free Northland are pleased by the NRC decision yesterday to
reaffirm its own precautionary GE policy and to appoint NRC Chairman
Craig Brown to represent the council on the Inter Council Working
Party on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
"We are concerned, however, that the NRC failed to vote to contribute
funds towards the collaborative section 32 analysis on GMOs that all
Northland territorial authorities and Auckland Council are
undertaking," said Martin Robinson, GE Free Northland spokesperson.
There is sustained concern in Northland and other parts of New
Zealand, about genetic engineering (GE) experiments and releases in
this country, particularly in view of the documented adverse impacts
of GMOs overseas and inadequately contained GE experiments in NZ.
“Nonetheless, central government continues to ignore local community
and independent scientists concerns about GMOs,” said Mr. Robinson.
"Therefore, the NRC needs to put its shoulder to the wheel and support
its territorial authorities and Auckland Council and contribute
funding to the important current work programme of the ICWP on GMOs".
"The NRC is supposed to be the over arching environmental protection
authority for the region. In addition, NRC contributing funds would be
a fiscally prudent move- as by doing the work collaboratively,
councils can share costs and staff expertise".
NRC Chairman Craig Brown responds:
"Having been involved in the process of investigating the risks of
GMOs for well over 10 years, I am disappointed that my council did not
Posted Sun, 13/11/2011 - 20:04
GE Free Northland Press Release
13 November 2011
NORTHLAND LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND AUCKLAND COUNCIL COLLABORATIVELY
INVESTIGATE LOCAL GMO CONTROLS
GE Free Northland are delighted by the recent news that Kaipara
District Council voted to join Auckland Council “super city”, Far
North District Council to collaborate with Whangarei District Council
in the investigation of some type local regulation of Genetically
Modified Organisms (GMOs).
KDC Mayor Neil Tiller is the new Kaipara District Council
representative on the Auckland/Northland "Inter Council Working
Party on GMO Risk Evaluation & Management Options".
At least four councils are now set to investigate a plan change and
section 32 analysis of GMOs, because of the risks to our biosecurity,
environment, economy, and the livelihoods of existing non -GM primary
producers.
Northland Regional Council will vote on Tuesday l5 November 2011,
whether NRC will join in this important work, in keeping with their
official precautionary GE policies.
There is sustained concern in Northland and other parts of New
Zealand, about genetic engineering (GE) experiments and releases in
this country, particularly in view of the documented adverse impacts
of GMOs overseas.
“Nonetheless, central government continues to ignore local community
and independent scientists concerns about GMOs,” said Martin Robinson,
GE Free Northland spokesperson.
"Therefore, the NRC needs to put its shoulder to the wheel and support
its territorial authorities and Auckland Council and contribute
funding to the important current work programme of the ICWP on GMOs".
Whangarei councillors have already unanimously rejected the outdoor
Posted Sat, 12/11/2011 - 15:30
ACTION ALERT
Want to help to protect our existing valuable GE free
status from GE experiments and releases on our patch?
You can make a difference.
WHY?
A hugely important meeting of the Northland Regional Council is being
held this Tuesday, 15 November at Kaikohe, where your councillors will
vote on a important GE agenda item.
see
www.facebook.com/home.php#!/groups/159518017436869/
Posted Mon, 05/09/2011 - 23:15
GE Free Northland Press Release
24 July 2011
Northland local authorities and Auckland Council collaboratively investigate local GMO controls
GE Free Northland are delighted by the news that the Auckland Council “super city” and Far North District Council have made a commitment to collaborate with Whangarei District Council in the investigation of some type of regulation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
At least three councils are now set to investigate a plan change and section 32 analysis of GMOs, because of the risks to our biosecurity, environment
Posted Sun, 21/08/2011 - 22:35
27 July 2011 Northern Advocate
NOTHERN ADVOCATE
"North gathers GE free clout"
by Lindy Laird
Posted Sat, 23/07/2011 - 13:53
AFP - Thu, Jul 14, 2011
Environmental activists broke into an Australian government research farm Thursday and destroyed an experimental crop of genetically-modified wheat protesting against what they said were safety issues.
Armed with weed trimmers, three Greenpeace activists scaled a fence at the Canberra facility in the early hours of the morning and razed the crop, which had been modified to lower its glycemic index and increase fibre.
The government science agency running the trials, CSIRO, confirmed there had been "a break-in overnight at their crop trial site" and it was assessing the damage.
"The police, and the government's gene technology regulatory authority ... have been informed and are inspecting the site," a CSIRO spokesman told AFP.
"CSIRO is currently assessing the damage to the trial crops and considering next steps."
Greenpeace said the activists, three women, wore hazardous materials suits to keep them from carrying GM organisms out of the site, and were motivated by concerns about the trial's safety.
Posted Sat, 23/07/2011 - 13:49
Proposals for extending animal feeding studies for GE wheat to humans are unethical and signal the need for an urgent overhaul of the science used by regulators to approve scores of GM foods.
A group of international scientists has warned the developers of a GE-Wheat at the CSIRO in Australia against the proposals. There is an acute ethical issue in the lack of long-term feeding studies in animals, which in some cases show complex and inter-generational harm from the GE food tested of which none of the GM foods approved by Food Authorities have undergone human studies.
Research has recently been published by Professor Peter Gluckman - the New Zealand government's chief scientific advisor - which reveals the complex epigenetic effects relating to maternal diet. The effects continue to the next generation in a way that is not yet understood. This complexity is simply not considered or addressed in safety testing of GE food.
The GE-Wheat been not been adequately tested in animals to even be considered as a candidate for human feeding studies.
"New Zealand scientists should condemn human feeding trials of GM foods in Australia, and elsewhere," says Jon Carapiet, spokesman for GE-free NZ in food and environment.
Overseas there are reports of GE "golden" rice also being used in human feeding trials, despite the risks to human health being entirely unnecessary.
"It cannot be ethical to be experimenting on humans with Genetically Engineered food when the disease targeted by the golden-rice magic bullet can easily be prevented," says Jon Carapiet.
Posted Mon, 09/05/2011 - 23:17
Guest View as published today's 9 May 2011 Northern Advocate (p. 6), under the heading
COUNCIL REJECTION OF GE DESERVES SUPPORT
COUNCIL REJECTION OF GE DESERVES SUPPORT
By
Zelka Grammer
GE Free Northland chairwoman
9 May 2011
NORTHERN ADVOCATE
Cheers WDC for saying NO to GE.
Whangarei councillors recently made history by unanimously rejected the outdoor use of genetically engineered crops and animals in Whangarei District.
WDC is now asking other Northland councils to join in a collaborative plan change to ban all GMOs in our region.
This is a wise move considering that a big multinational like Monsanto or Crown Research Institutes can apply for GE experiments or releases on our patch, without being liable for any harm caused.
After lobbying central government for over 7 years to fix the flaws and gaps in the national minimal legislation that covers GE, local councils have finally had enough and are saying no to GE.
Deformed GE salmon, blends of transgenic animals (including human genes) , GE trees and GE crops that contain insecticide in every cell and gene are the types of experiments Council wants to ban locally to protect our biosecurity, farmers, rural communities and public health.
The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) approved experiments with GM cattle resulting in high mortality rates and gross deformities. Six-month-old calves who appeared "normal" unexpectedly died when their internal organs ruptured.
Posted Thu, 05/05/2011 - 21:59
NO to Genetic Engineering
("Our Town" column)
by
Whangarei Mayor Morris Cutforth
in the Whangarei Report, Thursday 28 April 2011
A constant theme of my mayoralty is that Council needs to listen to the people. A prime example of the will of the people making itself felt is over the controversial issue of genetic engineering.
GE is the 'most-submitted' issue WDC has ever had, attracting over 7,000 submissions of which around 90% were in favour of ensuring Whangarei District remains GE free. Council has heard what people have said and supported it. Last week we voted unanimously to investigate regulating genetically modified organisms through the District Plan in conjunction with other councils in Northland and Auckland. This will most likely mean that releases of GMOs will be prohibited and resource consents will be needed for GE trials in Northland and Auckland.
I am delighted that I have come to Council at this epic point in an eight year journey, where in essence we are saying 'no!' to genetic engineering. Before I was elected to Council I didn't have a strong view one way or the other about GE, but since I have become more involved I have met many people who are passionate about it. After listening to their stories about what can go wrong - often at a very real and personal level - I can understand their passion and I am glad we are able to do something practical at last. And just as importantly, Whangarei and Northland are being seen as taking the lead in an important national and international issue.
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