Posted 20th August 2001

NZ GE Free Environment Register

The New Zealand GE free environment register will allow all New Zealand residents and businesses to stake their claim for a GE free environment.

The register will record the position of every property in the country whose owners or managers will not accept any risk of contamination on their property from GE crops grown on neighbouring properties. The criteria for a "neighbouring property" will be any property within the foraging range of Bees, currently set at 8km on advice from the National Beekeepers Association of New Zealand.

The register will hold the following information.

* Contact details of the owner/manager of the property.
* Number of residents at the property.
* Map co-ordinates of the property.
* Size of the property.
* Affiliations, Bio-gro, WWOOF etc.

As registrations are entered into the database an interactive New Zealand map will be filled in with corresponding "no go" areas around each property. These "no go" areas will be represented on the map by a green 6km radius circle. Our aim will be to cover the country with so many "no go" areas that it will be clearly demonstrated to the Government that it will be futile for them to attempt to allow GE crops to be planted anywhere in the country.

The GE free register map will be used as a tool to pressure Local and Regional Councils and the Government to declare New Zealand as a GE free environment. The map (but not the register) will also be made available for the media. We believe that a map, that gradually fills up with green "no go" areas during the run up to the Government making it1s decision relating to the Royal Commission will be a powerful tool, a media focus and an inspiration for the GE Free campaign.

Who can register.
* Farmers, both conventional and organic whose livelihood is threatened by New Zealand losing it1s Clean Green image through allowing GE crops to be grown here.

* Individuals who do not want GE pollen contaminating their vegetable or flower gardens.

* Businesses who for whatever reason do not wish to have GE crops grown in New Zealand.

How people can register.

A website www.gefreeregister.co.nz/ should be live in a few days. You will be able to go onto this site and follow a registration procedure.

Maps will be set up throughout the country at business or offices that support a GE free environment. You will be able to mark your property on the map with a green sticker showing your personal buffer zone!

An office is currently being set up and should be ready to take calls by the 24th of August. You will be able to phone this office on 09-434-4066 and register your details.

Donations to "GE Free register" PO Box 1803, Whangarei. Initial donations are required for; Software to map the register. Office equipment. Phone line. Set up for 0900 and 0800 numbers. Stock of GE free zone stickers and gate signs..