GE-Free NZ in food and environment
News Update - Election 2005
Any New Zealander would be shocked to see delegates at an international conference stand holding signs saying 'Shame on
New Zealand'. But that's what happened in Montreal this year.
Since before the Royal Commission on GM and huge protest marches the Public has called for an ethical approach to GE
that protects our values, environment and economy. But this wish is being sidelined by vested interest wanting to use
New Zealand as a playground for GE experiments.
New Zealand is accused by the international community of deliberately blocking an agreement on bio-security controls and
liability for GE organisms.
Our Government has also been supporting development of 'TERMINATOR' genes, despite international agreement not to do so.
'TERMINATOR' seeds are developed so that seeds only grow once then 'terminate' to become infertile, protecting corporate
patents and forcing farmers to buy new seeds each year because they cannot save them.
Other GE techniques aim to create seeds that will not grow at all unless you pay for a special chemical to "activate"
them. In the case of Monsanto's Terminator seeds the aim is to control the seed supply which many people see as an
unethical attack on farmers, the food supply, and the natural cycle of life. New Zealand should not be supporting it.
There are also concerns that the latest GE cows planned for New Zealand are unethical and will risk undermining the NZ
Dairy industry.
AgResearch want to make GE cows to mass-produce a chemical that is already readily available. The deal with a Dutch
biotech firm goes directly against the recommendations of the Royal Commission on GM that these animals should not be
used this way. Yet a legal loophole may give automatic approval for AgResearch to proceed anyway.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW TO PROTECT NEW ZEALAND'S GE-FREE FOOD SUPPLY, INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION AND OUR ENVIRONMENT.
ACTION Go see “The Future of Food” at the Film Festival Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin
The “Future of Food” has been given rave reviews by everyone from GE-Free activists to film reviewers. Created by
Deborah Koons Garcia it looks at the take-over of the American food supply by GE food. It’s described as “a vivid
every-person’s guide to agribusiness”, and a piece of “expertly researched, activist filmmaking”...and a wake-up call to
the unconvinced.
Auckland Sky City Theatre Thursday 14th July: 6.30pm and Friday 15th July: 11.15am Wellington: Paramount Monday 18th
July: 6.15pm and Tuesday 19th July: 11.00am Christchurch: Rialto Thursday 28th July: 6.00pm, Saturday 30th July: 6.00pm,
Monday 1st August: 11.15am and 6.30pm Dunedin: Regent Theatre: Monday 25th July: 1.45pm, Tuesday 26th July: 6.30pm
ASK POLITICAL CANDIDATES THESE QUESTIONS
It is vital for New Zealand to be able to produce GE free food. This is part of our shared values and 'clean green'
image so important for our national reputation and economy.
Will your policy guarantee protection for New Zealand's production of GE-free, high-quality food that people want and so
vital to our economy? Do you support strict liability laws for damage by GE organisms so those who cause damage are held
responsible for compensation and clean-up instead of leaving the taxpaying public with the bill?
WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO
Sign up at www.GiantExperiment.co.nz for short emails about what's going on. Register wherever you live as a "GE-Free
zone": www.gefreeregister.co.nz Ask Councils to make protection of GE-free food and the environment a "community
outcome" in official plans.
ENDS