Posted on 3-10-2003

Whangarei Council Urges PM To Extend Moratorium

The Whangarei District Council is urging Prime Minister Helen Clark to
extend a moratorium on the release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms.

At a council meeting yesterday Mayor Craig Brown said the move was in line
with the council's decision to take a "cautious approach" to the genetic
engineering issue. He has written to Miss Clark citing "considerable
concern in our community" over the release of GE organisms into the
environment.

The moratorium is due to be lifted on October 29. The council's concerns
include uncertainties over:

* The economic benefits versus perceived risks to conventional and organic
food producers,

* who should bear liability relating to these risks,

* the role of local government under the Hazardous Substances and New
Organisms Act, the Resource Management Act and the Local Government Act.

Mr Brown also said in the letter the council had supported Local Government
New Zealand's submission to the New Organisms and Other Matters Bill 2003,
seeking legal clarification on those matters. "Disappointingly, we feel
such clarification was not achieved as a result of the Select Committee's
recommendations," he wrote. "In view of the above, our council respectfully
considers that the present moratorium on the release of GMOs (genetically
modified organisms) should be extended for a further period to allow these
uncertainties to be addressed." Mr Brown said the council was also looking
to host an information-gathering forum on the GE issue with New Zealand
Sustainability Council chairman Sir Peter Elworthy. No date has been set yet.

A GE Free Northland spokeswoman welcomed the WDC's decision. "This is a
brave decision by the WDC. The majority of people do not want GMOs," the
spokeswoman said. "GMOs are a serious environmental issue and the council
has recognised that. We think there should be a cautious approach to GMOs
and good on the council for supporting that."

Source: Royal Society News, 2 October 2003