COURT CASE FOR LOCAL CHOICE ABOUT GMOs
GE Free Northland Press Release, 20 April 2015
On Friday, 24 April, an important Environment Court hearing will take place in Whangarei about the outdoor use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
GE Free Northland and the Soil & Health Association of NZ are seeking confirmation of their view that there is jurisdiction under the Resource Management Act for local control of outdoor use of GMOs in the face of a challenge to jurisdiction by Federated Farmers New Zealand.
“We support the right of local bodies to manage any potential use of GMOs in their area, using the Resource Management Act. We applaud the efforts of various NZ councils to put in place a much-needed additional tier of local protection against the risks of outdoor use of GMOs to our biosecurity, GE free primary producers, economy, environment, and food sovereignty," said GE Free Northland spokesperson Martin Robinson.
"Our councils have taken these steps because their ratepayers want a more locally responsive and planned app