Fluoride Decision to be Appealed says Hamilton Fluoride Group

Hamilton, New Zealand - 7 March 2014

- Justice Rodney Hansen today ruled against New Health NZ’s Judicial Review of the process taken by South Taranaki District Council over their decision to fluoridate the public water supplies of Waverley and Patea. “It has been confirmed that this decision will be appealed,” says Pat McNair, co-ordinator of Fluoride Free Hamilton.

“We are disappointed by the ruling, but not surprised, as we recognise the extensive efforts made by the NZ Government to promote fluoridation, this time to the extent of involving the Attorney General. This is basically the politically acceptable conclusion that we expected.”

Ms McNair feels that Judge Hansen’s ruling now opens it up to councils to legally put anything they like in the water supply under their “implied power” and it could feasibly apply to medications such as Lithium etc. “This alone should be of great concern to all New Zealanders, no matter what their view of fluoridation.”

“As far as Hamilton is concerned this ruling does not change the fact that in June 2013 the Hamilton City Council Fluoridation Tribunal found that there was statistical evidence that fluoridation potentially causes harm (as documented fully on pages 2 and 3 of the City News publication 14 June 2013, distributed free by Hamilton City Council to every Hamilton household).”

In his ruling Judge Hansen acknowledged that fluoridation has a therapeutic purpose. McNair claims that people have the right not to be forced or coerced into undergoing a therapy. “There are many people who wish to avoid fluoridation but cannot afford to avoid it. However, peer reviewed research (Feltman & Kosel, 1961) shows that over 40,000 New Zealanders will have adverse reactions to supplemental fluoride and therefore should avoid the element.”

Increasing numbers of medical practitioners, scientists and politicians globally are now taking the time to educate and inform themselves on the issue. Many see the practice as too risky to brain function, endocrine health, and skeletal integrity, and accept high toxicity levels for bottle-fed babies and kidney patients are real risks. Cogent arguments, both medical and ethical, remain against the practice.

An increasing number believe it is the basic right of the individual to choose. Others see that growing public concern is reaching a tipping point.

Fluoride Action Network NZ has for many years been calling for safety analyses for toxicity from synthetic fluoride chemicals in the NZ food and water supply. This is a national issue, because food produced in fluoridated areas is consumed by everyone across New Zealand.

Fluoridation has been abandoned or banned in a growing number of countries, most recently Israel this year. In Queensland Australia, mandatory fluoridation ended two years ago.

ENDS

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