Posted on 4-11-2002

GE Free Action Update 17, 2 Nov 2002

INDEX:
1. ACTIONS
2. NEW RESOURCES
3. REQUESTS / HAPPENINGS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
4. IMPORTANT DATES

1. ACTIONS
*SUBMISSIONS:
*IMPORTANT: Public Submission on the discussion paper for improving the
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES AND NEW ORGANISMS ACT and Government responses to the
Royal Commission on GM: ‘individual submission" format to help people
respond to the MfE document consulting on "conditional release" of GE and
other issues in NZ is attached to this email. Please if you want to and
have the time print it out and photocopy a few to gather local submissions,
leave them in shops, have a stall, whatever. This is a very important
submission for the GE Free movement in NZ and it is very important to try
to get submissions in as soon as possible.

A pro-forma submission will soon be available which answers the key issues
but is not meant to constrain people from doing their own response: the
website
www.mfe.govt.nz/about/publications/hsno/discussion-paper/important.html has
the full document.

Submissions can also be emailed, faxed or posted. Ministry contacts:
E-mail: HSNOamend@mfe.govt.nz phone: (04) 917 7400 fax: (04) 917 7523
write to: HSNO Amendment Ministry for the Environment PO Box 10-362
Wellington Deadline Nov 15!!

*‘MAF is seeking submissions on CO-EXISTENCE BETWEEN GM AND NON-MODIFIED
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION.’ The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is
seeking submissions on the practicalities of co-existence between GM and
other forms of production in New Zealand. The Government has charged MAF
with investigating and reporting back to it on the practicalities of
several aspects of coexistence.

If you would like to make a submission on this issue, please send it to:
raeme King, MAF, PO Box 2526, WELLINGTON Fax: 04 474 4163 E-mail:
kingg@maf.govt.nz due by 15th Nov. See following for more info or send to
melmaibpete@lycos.com:
www.maf.govt.nz/mafnet/rural-nz/research-and-development/biotechnology/condi
tional-release/index.htm

*Submissions on ‘THE BIOTECH STRATEGY’ by 30 Nov see
www.morst.govt.nz/Biotech/strategy_foreword.asp

*Responses are called for to the first draft of what will be a large study
by the WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION into GE food and agriculture. The
introduction to the study (which is all that exists so far) available from
melmaibpete@lycos.com The study is keen to solicit comments on the attached
draft from non pro-biotech organisations. In particular on the economic
arguments, food security and the implications of outcrossing (but all
comments would be welcome).

It looks like the comments can be of a general nature and if you would like
to see Greenpeace's response feel free to contact either Janet
J.Cotter-Howells@exeter.ac.uk or Jim Thomas, Greenpeace International,
jim.thomas@dialb.greenpeace.org: We are requested to send comments by
Monday 4th November to Dr. Alexander Haslberger at haslbergera@who.int

*GE-FREE MARCH SATURDAY NOVEMBER 16TH 12 NOON Aotea Sq, Queen St Auckland
Demand a GE-Free Aotearoa, in food and environment. The idea is to get one
huge march going rather than lots of little ones all over the country ­ so
if you can make it to Auckland bring lots of family and mates… and check
out the protest on the Monday after.

*MONDAY 18TH NOVEMBER 8am-11am PROTEST, Sheraton Hotel, Symond St Auckland,
3rd International Pacific Rim Biotechnology Conference. Contact Karyn:
amoorenz@yahoo.com

2. NEW RESOURCES /INFORMATION

*GE FREE REGISTER: www.gefreeregister.co.nz. If you want a pack of goodies
to get the register going in your area contact chris@paradisecoast.co.nz 09
4344 066 or melmaibpete@lycos.com.

*Keith Locke is available to speak on themes of Peace, Tolerance & Civil
Liberties - or whatever you want.
‘Recently I have been speaking on peace and civil liberties issues, using
the title "The Bush Agenda and the "war against terrorism": Is it a threat
to our civil liberties? Should New Zealand be involved?’
Keith.Locke@doc.govt.nz

4. IMPORTANT DATES

*EARLY NOVEMBER
Public meetings with MfE around the country.

*MID NOVEMBER
MadGE GE Free 2003 calendar goes to print in Wellington.

*15 NOVEMBER
MfE Submissions due

*SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER
GE-free march 12 Noon Aotea Sq, Queen St Auckland
Auckland GE-Free Coalition (Karyn 09 3584105) or MAdGE (mothers against GE)
ph 09 3093838

*MONDAY 18TH NOVEMBER 8am-11am PROTEST
Sheraton Hotel, Symond St Auckland 3rd International Pacific Rim
Biotechnology Conference. contact Karyn: amoorenz@yahoo.com

*17 - 20 NOVEMBER 2002
8th INTERNATIONAL PACIFIC RIM BIOTECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE
http://www.pacrimbiotechnology.com. Coalition For Responsible Science.
stopbiotech@yahoo.co.nz

* NOVEMBER 23RD SATURDAY Grey Lynn festival. MAdGE in the Eco-park with the
teepees and teeshirts

*23 ­ 24 November Festival of Holistic Health Hamilton Gardens
Hamilton

*7 December
‘Labelling’ regime comes into place

*18 ­ 20 Jan Organic River Festival. National GE Free Hui.
Levin www.ecofest.co.nz

*1st weekend February Martiborough Festival

*9 February Medieval Market Day - Wairarapa

*June Mystery Creek Field Days
Waikato

*September 2003
Photo Exhibition by MAdGE

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