Environmental News 16.10.13 Part II: NZ Councils Working Together to Ban Outdoor Cropping of GMOs The Whangarei District Council in NZ have finally banned the outdoor use of GMOs following the receipt of a petition signed by some 7000 people over 13 years ago. GE Free Northland chairwoman Zelka Grammer says she is proud of the work the council is doing despite the fact that the decision took so long. Grammer acknowledged that the process was slow because it involved an inter-council working party on GMO risk evaluation and included the Auckland, Far North and Kaipara district councils. All the working party councils have agreed to start the plan change process, apart from Kaipara which is under statutory management, and the councils are pooling expertise and money to fight the expected legal challenges from genetic engineering companies like Monsanto. We will have Monsanto and others coming in and saying what the benefits of GMOs are, says councillor, John Williamson. Opposition has also come from central government, with Environment Minister Amy Adams suggesting she will change the law to ensure local councils cannot control GMOs. Whangarei councillor, Phil Halse, disagrees saying that, …[this issue] needs to be dealt with locally and this is the way to do it.” stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/northland/whangarei-leader/9280159/War-against-GMO-expected-to-escalate
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 20:36:45 +0000
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