People across New Zealand are coming together to protest
against the controversial Gene Technology Bill.
This
Saturday, 29th November will see community events in
Whangarei and Kerikeri, bringing the tally to over 27
centres across the country.
“Whangarei is the heart of
the Northland/Auckland ‘GE Free Food Producer Region’.
Northland and Auckland farmers oppose this latest attempt by
the National Party to destroy existing GM Free Zones. We
support our local councils, who have worked together in a
collaborative and fiscally responsible manner since 2003,
achieving much needed protection for the environment,
farmers and other ratepayers from the risks of outdoor GE
experiments, field trials, and releases,” said Martin
Robinson, spokesman for GE Free Northland.
“The Gene
Technology Bill is centred on extreme, impractical,
undemocratic, and dangerous proposals. There is no built-in
protection for the rights of existing GM free farmers and
their valuable enterprises, or the basic right to choose.
The Precautionary Principle, which acts as a backstop to
prevent catastrophic mistakes, has been removed from the
Bill. Ethical considerations, such as animal welfare, and
liability have also been removed,” said Robinson.
“The
bill proposes stripping local councils of their authority
and jurisdiction regarding outdoor GE/GMO experiments, field
trials, and releases- including existing GM Free Food
Producer Regions in Northland, Auckland, and Hawke’s Bay- as
well as Nelson City Council. This is undemocratic and
totally unacceptable” said Zelka Grammer, chairperson GE
Free Tai Tokerau.
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“New Zealanders have a right to
know what we’re growing and eating – we will fight to
protect our “Northland, naturally” brand, food sovereignty,
and biosecurity. Northland has led the way in protecting its
farmers against the risks of GMOs in the outdoors” said
Grammer.
“This dangerous Bill would allow GE into
our farms, gardens and food, risking widespread and
irreversible contamination, loss of organic certification,
loss of access to key markets and premiums, loss of our
valuable “Northland, naturally” brand, and Aotearoa’s
GE-free status.”
GE Free Northland is calling for the
Government to stop the Bill, warning that the proposed law
would not only open the door to undesirable GMOs in NZ’s
environment, food system, farms, forests, and conservation
estate, but also destroy existing valuable GE-free food
producer regions and districts.
Northland protest
locations:
Whangarei
Outside Kensington stadium 9am-
llam Saturday, 29 November
Kerikeri 12-2pm Saturday, 29
November
Two locations:
Roundabout- State Highway 10
and Kerikeri road
Roundabout- Caltex, Kerikeri road &
Hobson Avenue (Kerikeri
CBD)
