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..
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