https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503450&objectid=12340319
Victory for GMO opposition: Northland Regional Council votes to reverse position
17 June 2020 Northern Advocate
GMO protesters celebrate a victory after NRC votes to reverse its no-provision position. Photo / Michael Cunningham
By: Julia Czerwonatis
Reporter for the Northern Advocate
Northland regional councillors have voted to reverse a decision not to include provisions to manage genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the council's proposed Regional Plan.
The latest turn of events in what has been a lengthy and contentious debate has seen Northland Regional Council (NRC) decide at its meeting yesterday to change its position on GMO provisions.
The move was welcomed by GMO opponents who attended the meeting, labelling it a "victory".
One of about 10 protesters, Nora Shayeb from the Northland Toxin Awareness Group, said there were "millions of reasons" to oppose the use of GMO.
She linked GMOs to the increased use of pesticides, which she described as harmful to the environment and humans.
"Most of our waterways are poisoned. Water is one of our most basic needs, but our water is making people sick," Shayeb said.
Another opponent, Social Credit party president Gloria Bruni, said New Zealand had "the outstanding opportunity to mark ourselves as uniquely sustainable".
"We'll compromise this if we introduce GMO into the region."
