GE FREE Northland (in food & environment)

30 August 2019 Media Release

"Another Northland council joins appeal against controversial GMO decision"

GE Free Northland welcomed the news yesterday of Far North District Council's unanimous vote  to lodge an appeal with the Environment Court against Northland Regional Council over its decision on genetic engineering (Genetically Modified Organisms).

"We thank FNDC for its commitment to challenge the recent controversial NRC decision to exclude all precautionary and prohibitive GE/GMO provisions from the proposed new Regional Plan for Northland," said Martin Robinson, spokesperson for GE Free Northland.

GE Free Northland announced it will join FNDC and Whangarei District Council in legal action.

"In our view, the NRC has failed to make a sound decision on the critically important GE/GMOs issue, despite the  scientific, economic, and cultural evidence presented by submitters supporting provisions to control the adverse effects of GMO use on the environment through the Plan.  We will join FNDC as well as WDC in seeking relief in the Environment Court against NRC," said Mr. Robinson.

The NRC decision was passed by one vote, the casting vote of the chair, despite strong community and submitter support for a precautionary approach to GMOs, and clear direction for precautionary wording (already in the operative Regional Policy Statement for Northland).

"We thank the Far North District Mayor and all councillors for acting on their duty of care to local farmers, primary producers and other constituents, as well as our environment and biosecurity," said Zelka Grammer, chairperson GE Free Northland.

"FNDC continues to demonstrate leadership on the important GE/GMO issue, in the face of NRC's recent decision and the significant risks posed by outdoor use of GMOs," said Ms. Grammer.

"The process followed by NRC regarding the GE/GMO issue has been highly controversial, and angered many Northlanders.  We consider there has been a lack of transparency which was exacerbated by the failure to appoint independent commissioners to consider the GMO issue under the Regional Plan for Northland," said Ms. Grammer.

FNDC's Deputy Mayor Tania McInnes put forward the motion for FNDC to lodge an appeal against NRC, with FNDC Councillor Kelly Stratford seconding.  

Clr McInnes, who chaired Thursday's council meeting, said she hoped a new regional council would reconsider, averting the need for a costly appeal. ''I'm sure everyone's aware it's caused quite a backlash,'' she said. 

"We have a very special backyard and should be doing all we can to protect it for now and future generations. It will pay dividends in the long run," said Clr McInnes.

GE Free Northland would like to see Far North District Council and WDC working together collaboratively and with other interested parties (including local mana whenua and farmers) in this legal challenge to NRC, as our District Councils have done so successfully in the past, regarding the "Regional Policy Statement*" for Northland," said Zelka Grammer.

"Northland region's valuable agricultural, horticultural, apiculture, pastoral, and forestry sectors, and "Northland, naturally" brand must be protected (as Auckland Council has already achieved in its region)."

"Our community group will seek relief against NRC via legal action through the courts in order to protect the region's biosecurity, unique biodiversity, existing GM free primary producers, economy, and valuable existing GE free status. We support precautionary and prohibitive GE/GMO provisions, policies, and objectives in the new Regional Plan for both land and the Coastal Marine Area," said Ms. Grammer.

[ENDS]

Contact:

Martin Robinson
spokesperson, GE Free Northland
09 407 8650
Mob: 022 136 9619


Zelka Linda Grammer
chairperson, GE Free Northland
email: linda.grammer@gmail.com   

NOTES FOR JOURNALISTS

"Another Northland council joins appeal against GMO decision" 30 August 2019 Northern Advocate

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503450&objectid=12263231  

"Whangārei council to appeal Northland Regional Council GMO policy"  16 August 2019 Northern Advocate

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503450&objectid=12258949  

GE Free Northland 16 August 2019 Media Release "Widespread support for legal protection against GE triggers legal appeal"

http://web.gefreenorthland.org.nz/press-releases/ge-free-northland/00253-widespread-support-for-protection-against-ge-triggers-legal-a  

Far North District Council GE/GMOs Agenda item 10.3   Northland proposed new Regional Plan - NRC  GE/GMO Decision and Appeal   

ENDS

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(6)  GE Free Northland 17 July 2019 Media Release "Casting vote on GE a slap in the face for community" 

http://web.gefreenorthland.org.nz/press-releases/ge-free-northland/00242-casting-vote-on-ge-a-slap-in-the-face-for-community