Posted on 6-8-2003

GE Action Update 32
5 August 2003

INDEX:
1 RESOURCES / ACTION IDEAS:
2 NEWS / ACTIONS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY:
3. SUBMISSIONS:
4. REQUESTS FOR HELP:
5. IMPORTANT DATES:

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1 RESOURCES / ACTION IDEAS:

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*GE TREE ALERT
‘Despite strong public opposition and the concerns of many eminent
scientists, FOREST RESEARCH (a Crown Research Institute) commenced planting
GE spruce (engineered for herbicide resistance) in Rotorua (Sala Street) on
the l0th of July 2003.

FRI plans to plant GE pines engineered for herbicide resistance and GE
pines engineered for reproductive changes (using terminator technology).
The taxpayer is being forced into subsidising the biotech industry against
the public will. The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) prohibits the use
of GE trees or GMOS due to the serious ecological risks.

Please send letters of complaint to: CEO Bryce Heard, Dr. Christian Walter,
Dr. Tom Richardson, FOREST RESEARCH, Private Bag 3020, Rotorua. tel. 07 343
5899, fax. 07 348 0952 email: tom.richardson@forestresearch.co.nz
christian.walte@forestresearch.co.nz bryce.heard@forestresearch.co.nz

Points you may want to mention:
- Ecological hazards
- Liability issues
- Threat to forestry stewardship council certification (fsc) of neighouring
forests
- Legal implications
- Treaty of Waitangi / Tino Rangatiratanga issues
- Risks to the soil from horizontal gene transfer (hgt)
- Escape of transgenic pollen
- Unforeseen or unintended adverse environmental impacts
- Risks to the public health due to ampicillin antibiotic resistant genes
- Terminator or traitor technology
- Threat to the conservation state

*LETTER WRITING
The NZ Herald ran a story about Bellamy being in NZ and his opinions
29.07.2003: ‘The New Zealand Government would be "foolhardy in the extreme"
if it allowed genetically engineered crops to be grown here, says leading
British ecologist David Bellamy. Professor Bellamy called on the Government
to extend for five years the moratorium on GM field trials, due to be
lifted in October. Delegates at the Local Government New Zealand conference
in Queenstown applauded yesterday as Professor Bellamy told them he
"begged" the Government to give scientists time to find out if GM organisms
were safe.’

You could send letters to the editor (200 words maximum) and let them know
your opinions on the matter…: email: letters@herald.co.nz

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*NEW LEAFLETS:
From Christchurch: ‘Four Things to do’, and ‘Tell Your MP’‘ The 4 points
in the "4 things to do" flyer reflect what we saw as the most crucial
things to be targeting over the next 3 months.’ (to be finalised once hui
info comes through).

This is the latest to come out of the highly motivated Ch Ch crew. If you
want a copy of these leaflets, email melmaibpete@lycos.com

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*STICKERS:
From the Greens: ’We have produced another batch of the GE butterfly
letterbox stickers. They will be $1 for one, 40 for $10. The little ones
(48 to a page) for letters are still available for $2.30 a sheet’Contact:
Danna Glendining, Green Party Parliamentary Office, 04-470-6685
Danna.Glendining@parliament.govt.nz

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*PETITION:
There was a slight change in wording of the petition to stop the moratorium
being lifted. The correct version should have a deadline in October. If you
need a new version contact melmaibpete@lycos.com. (All petitions already
sent from us are correct)

2. NEWS AND ACTIONS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY

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* GE FREE NATIONAL STRATEGY HUI ­ AUCKLAND (See PlaNet TV, www.pl.net)
From Auckland:
‘‘A big thank you’ to all who attended and took part in the successful GE
FREE hui. Once again, thank you to Fridays' speakers: Brendan Hoare, Jon
Carapiet, Hilary Ord, Kate Wood, Jane Kelsey and John Clearwater. Speakers
from Saturday & Sunday: Zelka Grammer & Karen Summerhays (GE-Free
Enforceable Zones), Jeanette Fitzsimons (Political & Parliamentary
Perspectives), Wayne Hope (Media), Logan Petley, Dell Wihongi & Peter
Pangari (Treaty issues), Denys Trussell (Friends of the Earth), Gary Reese
(Save Animals from Exploitation) and others.

Thank you to our main facilitators Gaye Dyson, Metiria Turei, Jon Carapiet
and Karyn Amoore - and to our scribes and minutakers Simon, Marcus, Karyn
and Brian. Thank you to the organising group and helpers who have worked
voluntarily on this for the 6-8 weeks and who worked well together. Karyn
and Marcus for organisational stuff, Coryn & Adin - specifically for
organising all the yummy organic ge-free food (along with David, Lou &
Karyn) who also all the audio visuals Friday & Saturday), Jean
(registration, billeting, GE-Free land register stuff & more), Jarad
(poster design distribution), Lou, Marco and Len, Simon, Steve, Logan and
everyone else who lent a hand took time out to come to our Wednesday and
weekend organisational meetings - didn't we do well!

Thank you also to those companies that donated food: Ceres, Huckleberries,
Mamata Bakery, Organic Soy Company, Phoenix Foods and Total Wellbeing.

It was wonderful to see so many people from all over the country at the hui
(from Northland to Motueka to Dunedin) and to network with so many diverse
and dedicated people in the movement - from mothers to church groups to
science research, academics, Tangata Whenua, farmers, business, etc. The
hui organising group will sort through all the notes and action points and
aim distribute information gathered at the hui to attendees within the next
few weeks. Thank you for input and for taking a weekend out of your time.
Your feedback on the hui is welcome’.

For Hui Press Release contact melmaibpete@lycos.com When we hear more we’ll
let you know…

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*GE Free NZ AGM
GE Free NZ had their annual AGM in Wellington during the weekend. For more
info about how that went contact your local GE Free Person

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*SEED CARRIERS HIKOI-Te Ika a Maui: ’This Hikoi has been born out of a
heartfelt need to find a way to protect our seeds. Seeds that represent the
cumulative experience and wisdom of our ancestors, and are our gift for
future generations. The release of genetically engineered organisms into
the field in Aotearoa, will take away
our ability to ensure our seeds are safe. In our walking we wish to meet
with gardeners and others that nurture and appreciate the sacredness of the
seeds. To share our stories and gather support for a submission to Parliament.

Starting on the 28th of August 2003, we will travel from Cape Reinga, the
tail of the fish - Te Ika a Maui to the heart of the fish(Taupo) with a
collection of seeds. The route is still to be finalized but will include
Northland, the Auckland Isthmus, Hauraki and Waikato. It will be walked in
a spirit of peace under a simple banner of the Seed Carriers

Once we reach Taupo, we will review our journey and draft our message to
parliament. (A message from the heart of the fish to the head of the fish)
We will send a delegation to Parliament and invite others to join us in its
presentation (approx 23rd October). We will follow up any initiatives that
are born of our Hikoi. There are many ways you can join or support us :
Walking with us, Helping with meals and accommodation, Organising meetings
and events, Providing contacts, Joining us at Parliament, Donations,
Providing the use of campervans and equipment for the core group.

Our contacts are: The Seed Carriers, C/- Koanga Gardens Trust, R.D. 2
Maungaturoto. http://www.koanga.co.nz/ Email seedcarriers@pl.net Phone (09)
4312204(Gail) or (09)4312 765(Jude) Fax (09)4312 745 Bank A/C ASB Wellsford
12 3094 0172711

We invite those in the South Island and the Southern North Island to join
us in Taupo, and we will support whatever similar initiatives you wish to
undertake.’

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*GE FREE COUNCILS:
Letter: A letter goes out this week to all councilors (through a local gov.
mail out) compiled by Kara in Wellington asking them to consider the GE
issue seriously. You may be able to use this as a starting point in talking
with your local councilors… For copies of the letter email
melmaibpete@lycos.com

Bay Of Plenty:
Press Release by Environment Bay of Plenty, 1 August 2003 ‘Environment Bay
of Plenty has warned a Parliamentary select committee that "the
consequences of incorrect action may be irreversible" if a moratorium on
genetically modified organisms is lifted in October. In its submission to
the New Organisms and Other Matters Bill 2003, presented last week, the
council "strongly" urged the Government to extend the moratorium to allow
time for adequate consultation on, and consideration of, the issue from a
regional council perspective.’

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*NEW GROUP ­ PUREFOODNZ: ‘Purefoodnz is about:Enhancing the value of the
NZ’s internationally recognised ‘clean, green, 100% pure’ brand. Protecting
the reputation and quality of culinary NZ both domestically and
internationally.Protecting and enhancing our major food export markets.
Ensuring food quality in our domestic market so that our ability to source
the finest quality ingredients available is not compromised. Supporting GM
medicines and other forms of laboratory based GM research
which account for the vast majority of all biotechnology research performed
in NZ’.

Participants:
Annabel Langbein, member of the Sustainability Council of New Zealand:‘For
my entire professional life I have been working in food. Through my work as
in the media, and as a consultant, company director, writer, cook and
publisher I have gained an in depth understanding of the importance of food
in our lives- not just as physical, and social sustenance, but as a primary
source of revenue for our country. I have always considered New Zealand as
the premier food basket in the world. And we need to maintain
this position if we are to continue to be successful….’ ‘A list of chefs
and restaurants available shortly’.

Contact details: PUREFOODNZ, PO Box 24304, Wellington. info@purefoodnz.com

Check out their website for more info: www.purefoodnz.com

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*GE TAMPONS: Concern has been expressed about cotton containing the
antibiotic marker to treat gonorrhea being used to make tampons. Does this
mean women will
develop resistance to medicine used to treat gonorrhea? More
info melmaibpete@lycos.com

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*INTERNATIONAL HELP FOR NZ: Michael Meacher, the anti GE British minister
who recently resigned as UK environment minister over the issue, is to
meet with the education and science committee considering the new organisms
(NOOM) bill tomorrow! This follows close on the heels of David Bellamy,
ecologist extraordinaire from the UK fronting up to the Local Government NZ
meeting in Queenstown! Be sure to keep an eye on the news...

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*YAY GO AUSSIE!: Most Australian States have imposed GE moratoriums, which
means while GE crops may be grown in Australia, there will be nowhere to
grow them… More info from the Sustainability Council.

‘Australian states and territories have been granted greater legal
certainty if they wish to allocate specific areas for genetically modified
crops. The policy principle backs up states' and territories' rights under
the national Gene Technology Act to designate areas for either GM or non-GM
crops for the market. It essentially means that the state is now able to
take some control of its own destiny in terms of whether to accept or
refuse this form of technology’.

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*MONSANTO IN TROUBLE! USA ‘A $2.3 billion hit could be looming over
Monsanto in the form of litigation liabilities, according to an analyst's
report released yesterday that drove the agricultural chemical company's
shares down almost 6 percent. Solutia, spun off from Monsanto in 1997,
represents what once was the chemical business component of the old
Monsanto, a conglomerate of agricultural, chemical and pharmaceutical
businesses. Solutia is being sued in both state and federal courts because
of harmful chemical pollution in Alabama. It has already been found liable
for property damage; thousands of personal injury claims are headed to
court this fall. Adverse court
decisions would likely force Solutia into bankruptcy and leave Monsanto on
the hook for damages, analysts fear.’

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3 SUBMISSIONS / INFORMATION:

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*GE ONIONS 20 AUGUST: This is an important one to make a submission on.
This is potentially the first GE crop that could be grown in NZ. Closing
date is August 20.

Submissions must (according to ERMA) include the following information: The
name of the organisation represented, a contact person, and contact details
(ie postal address, telephone number, facsimile number and email address
(if applicable)). - Written submissions must be signed and dated. However,
submissions received by email or via our on-line submission form will be
accepted without signature.
- Details of the application for which you are making the submission
(including application code).
- Your submission, with reasons.
- What decision you seek (optional).
- Whether or not you wish to be heard (ie at a public hearing) in support
of your submission..

Please contact Andrew Allen, Applications Advisor ERMA if you have any
queries.’ Application summary available from melmaibpete@lycos.com

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4. REQUESTS FROM ROUND THE COUNTRY:

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*CHRISTCURCH: ‘We're going to have another try at getting the Christchurch
City Council to declare Christchurch a GE Free Zone. Would everyone who's
been involved in submissions to their councils please contact Charles Drace
with any helpful advice, resources, etc., especially tactics that work.
charles@cdrace.co.nz’

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*MAdGE Wellington: ‘We’re having a stall outside Trade Aid each Saturday as
its a good way of collecting signatures for the petition and of getting
people to register their properties GE Free in these last 89 days left
before the moratorium is lifted. If you can spare an hour to help out on
the Saturday Stall can you please (!!!!) give Eva a call on 934 8956.’

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5 IMPORTANT DATES

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AUGUST:
*20 AUGUST GE Onions Submissions due
*28 AUGUST Seed Carriers Hikoi begins

*Possible Corngate Inquiry

SEPTEMBER : *10-14 September 5th WTO Ministerial Conference Cancún, Mexico.

OCTOBER:
*16 October 2003 World Food Day
*23 October Seed Carriers to Parliament
*29 OCTOBER proposed end of the moratorium on commercial ge release in NZ.
Rally in Wellington.