https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12144132
NORTHERN ADVOCATE 20 OCTOBER 2018
"GMO FREE POLICY NOT IN NORTH'S DRAFT AIR, SOIL, WATER PLAN"
BY LINDY LAIRD
There could be a small break in the ring fence meant to keep genetically modified organisms out of Northland's environment and primary sector.
The decision has groups who vehemently fought for 10 years for that GMO-proof fence now criticising the Northland Regional Council's decision to exclude its strong Regional Policy Statement (RPS) on GMOs from its proposed Regional Plan.
A year after no-to-GMO policies became operational in Whangārei and Far North Districts' and NRC legislation, the NRC failed to copy over its stance to its new environment plan.
The overarching Regional Plan — the draft of which received 360 submissions overall — will encompass, replace and update three outdated water and soil, air and coastal plans. More than 100 of those submissions referred to the GMOs subject.