August 2016

High Court ruling on GE a win for democracy

High Court ruling on GE a win for democracy

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

The High Court has today upheld the ruling that regional councils do have the right to decide on the provisions, policies, and rules regarding the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their region. 

 

The Soil & Health Association (Soil & Health) celebrates this landmark decision as a win not only in the fight against genetic engineering (GE) and keeping a clean green Aotearoa, but also for democracy as it allows community values and concerns about GMOs to be taken into account when drafting regional policy instruments.  

 

Judge Mary Peters ruled in favour of the Whangarei District Council (WDC), Northland Regional Council (NRC), Soil & Health, GE Free Northland and others, dismissing the appeal on all questions raised by the appellants Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Federated Farmers).

 

Federated Farmers lose GMO court battle - again

 

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11702377

 

Campaigners against genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are hailing a High Court ruling allowing regional councils to decide whether GMOs can be banned in their areas.

But a group representing bio-scientists says the country is in danger of becoming a "bioscience backwater" following today's ruling by Justice Mary Peters at the Whangarei High Court in favour of Whangarei District Council, Northland Regional Council, Soil & Health, GE Free Northland and others.