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GE-Free New Zealand
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Action alert: submissions needed on GE animals (ERMA200223): deadline 18 December
AgResearch has applied to develop (in indoor and outdoor containment) goats, sheep and cows genetically modified to produce human therapeutic proteins, and to alter levels of gene activities and proteins for the study of gene function, milk composition and disease resistance. Now is the time for people to voice their concern. A High Court decision against similar applications is still under appeal. Please do not boycott the ERMA –process: make a submission against the application! See press releases from 9/11 and 17/11. Read the full application. Please email your submissions to: submissions@ermanz.govt.nz or use a printed form and post to: ERMA New Zealand, PO Box 131, Wellington 6140.

Inghams deliberately using GM feed - despite their advertising claims!
The Commerce Commission has warned Inghams about misleading the public about its products. It is worth reading the scientific advice provided to the Commission showing that GM-feed can result in differences in the animal eating the GM material. See: "Report on Animals Exposed to GM Ingredients in Feed" - J Heinemann. Report on animals exposed to GM in animal feed (PDF) » Please ask inghams to stay GE free and stop using GM feed...the value to their brand of being GE-free, and keeping faith with their customers, is much greater than any savings they make by using cheap GM soy! Email: NZcomments@inghams.com.au , Phone Inghams: (07) 884 6549 READ MORE: TV one News: Inghams gets ticking off over "no GM" claims, TVNZ Breakfast News: GM Chickens, NZ Herald: Inghams warned over GM claims

High Court Appeal On GE Animals Continues
Earlier this year the High Court upheld GE Free NZ’s complaint against other applications for GE animals by AgResearch. These applications for ‘anywhere, anything, anytime’ have the same flaws as the latest application (see: call for submissions). The decision is being appealed by AgResearch, with a hearing expected early 2010. See press release.

Plans for GM Grass threaten NZ See our press releases: 19/07, 9/08 and 19/10. GM grass trial aims to cut cows' gas

EU says no to High-Lysine GE corn Approved in NZ
Monsanto pulls GM corn amid serious food safety concerns. Applicant's dossiers contained wide-ranging fraudulent research. High Lysine GM Maize Withdrawn, Safety Concerns. A much touted second generation “nutritionally enhanced” GM crop bites the dust, as company fails to address serious health concerns. In a dramatic move, Monsanto has withdrawn its genetically modified (GM) maize, LY038 from commercial approval in Europe after safety concerns prompted the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to request further evidence from the company. Scientists cite safety The high lysine maize was also submitted to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) in 2004 and approved as safe for human consumption in December 2007, despite strong scientific objections from the Centre for Integrated Research in Biosafety (INBI) at Canterbury University, Christchurch, in New Zealand [9, 10]. Among the issues raised were risks of cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. FSANZ maintains there is no safety issue with LY038, and that it was withdrawn from Europe purely for commercial reasons. Monsanto spokesman Jonathan Ramsay said [1] “changes in the overall corn market” were among the factors resulting “in a shift of the overall value to customers of this product at this time.” Geneticist Dr. Jack Heinemann, an associate professor at Canterbury University and director of INBI, believes it was a tactical, rather than purely commercial withdrawal on Monsanto's part, and demands to know why FSANZ still considers it would be safe for “Kiwis” to eat the maize [1]. "Personally, I don't believe the withdrawal of LY038 was for economic reasons," Heinemann said. "Monsanto estimated the street value of LY038 was going to be US$1 billion a year. Do we really believe that a market of US$1bn a year is too small for Monsanto? I don't. The European Food Safety Authority requested more safety data from Monsanto." Heinemann also indicated that from comments released to him, it appears that Finland for example, was not satisfied with either the number or the of animal-feeding studies, and Malta voted to reject the maize on the basis of the INBI submission, "the same science that FSANZ attempted to bury down here."

GE TELEPHONE POLL
Imminent GE Telephone Poll in Auckland and Northland (COLMAR BRUNTON). GE FREE NORTHLAND is putting out this alert to let you know that the Auckland Regional Council and most of the territorial authorities north of Auckland right up to Cape Reinga are planning to carry out collaborative community consultation on Genetically Modified Organisms. See ge free northland site for more information.

GE Free New Zealand victory in landmark case AgResearch open ended genetic engineering experimentation has been overturned by a high court decision. The case taken by GE Free New Zealand was due to concerns that without a clear understanding of the organisms to be created any risk could not be evaluated. GE Free New Zealand argued that ERMA was wrong to accept the application in the first instance. Justice Clifford agreed that ERMA erred in its decision to accept the AgResearch application under the HSNO Act. This application can therefore no longer be processed. This application if approved could have allowed any DNA from animals (including human and monkey), plants, fungi, micro-organisms, viruses and/or synthetic sequences to be used in 9 livestock species. It would have set a precedent for carte blanche genetic engineering experiments in unidentified locations endangering New Zealand's agricultural economy and environment More information please see GE Free New Zealand Press Release. See the complete (46 pages pdf file) court document.

Brassica Trial Fiasco... Plant & Food Research has cancelled its genetic engineering trials on the breaches at the field trial of GE broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and forage kale after recommendation on the breach from their internal report. This follows photographic and written evidence of the trial breaches presented at an urgent meeting to ERMA and MAF -BNZ by GE Free NZ and Soil and Health. See photos and documentation from GE Free NZ: See documentation of breach of consent conditions and re-assessment application to Irma by GE Free NZ. Plant & Food Report: Brassica Review of Procedures

AgResearch : putting New Zealand at risk It’s NOT O.K. Government research institute ‘AgResearch’ has applied to develop genetically modified (GM) animals and commercialise their products. This move could pose the single biggest threat to farm animals and New Zealand’s cultural identity. If approved, AgResearch will be able to conduct broad-ranging genetic experiments on cows, goats, sheep, pigs, deer, llama, horses, rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, and chickens. They will even use cells taken from humans and monkeys. Their intention is to mix genes from different species to make transgenic animals. The process creates animal deformities, and new risks to human health, the environment and our reputation. It’s not ok for overseas biotech investors to exploit New Zealand as an experimental playground when the public is liable for costs of clean-up when things go wrong It’s not ok to create deformities and suffering in animals in order to make ‘cheaper’ pharmaceuticals, when other production methods are available It’s not ok to undermine New Zealand’s reputation and brand-image as a producer of safe, natural, clean food the world wants It’s not ok to genetically engineer animals with human genes and have no respect for the integrity of species, just to make ‘healthier’ nutriceutical milks It’s not ok to deliberately create sick animals as ‘models’ of human disease when the Bioethics Council has called for an ethical review of such practices It’s not ok to risk creating new diseases by experimenting on NZ animals when they are currently free of Mad Cow Disease and Scrapie It’s not ok for GE animal waste to be used as compost or sprayed onto ....... .. read more

ERMA Brassica Field Trial - Appeal GE Free NZ (in food and environment) has filed High Court Papers on 25 June 2007. After much consideration papers were filed in relation to errors in law relating to approvals for field trials of GE Brassica. GE Free NZ (in food and environment) has decided that this approval cannot go unscrutinised. Unfortunately there is no other legal redress for those making public submissions to challenge what appears to be an approach by ERMA that justifies why an experiment should go ahead instead of considering all points and then finding solutions to best address them.... read more We need your help to raise money to challenge ERMA's approval of GE brassica field trials . The trials lack common sense, and we believe the approval to be flawed based on points of law (see Court of Appeal document). Please send a donation (cheque) to: Jon Muller, GE Free New Zealand, PO Box 13402, Johnsonville, Wellington - or donate directly into account # 0609960521358 00 (GE Free New Zealand in Food and Environment, Inc., National Bank Wellington)

RED ALERT: Application for GE Crop Trials in New Zealand Field trials of Genetically Engineered broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and kale are applied for. Crop & Food Research in the South island have applied to ERMA (the Environmental Risk Management Authority) for a 10-year field-trial of Genetically Engineered brassicas. The plants will have genes spliced from bacteria and viruses, including ‘Bt’ (Bacillus thuringiensis) which can kill some insects. See the full application at: www.ermanz.govt.nz or view a summary and make a submission online: http://www.ermanz.govt.nz (NB scroll down the page) HAVE YOUR SAY - MAKE A SUBMISSION - Deadline : 12 December 2006. View the Key Notes (PDF) Points to consider (PDF) Visit the Giant Experiment website for an up to date index of key issues and articles about this application.

Local Government ACTION: YOU SHOULD HAVE A SAY RE GENETIC ENGINEERING From March all councils will be consulting you regarding plans for the next 10 years. It is imperative that they hear from you that GE release into our environment is an issue that must be taken seriously. Start your own Petition and give your GE Free requests more weight. Download a Petition Form and collect signatures of likeminded people in your community. Valuable resources to this are also available at: http://www.giantexperiment.co.nz in the Take Action -> Resources section. Basic Council Lobbying Kit Find out how to effectively lobby your Local and Regional Council LobbyingYourLocalGovt-LSNov2004.doc SuggestedCnlPresentation.doc

Stop TERMINATOR Seeds Terminator seeds grow once and then become infertile. The aim is to stop farmers around the world from saving seeds, and to force them to buy new seeds each year. The New Zealand government supports this technology on a "case by case" basis. Click here to download the leaflet showing you ways you can oppose this technology (PDF) 76K

Xenotransplantation: Animal-to-Human Transplantation New Zealand's Bioethics Council has launched a discussion document on the subject entitled “The Cultural, Spiritual and Ethical Aspects of Xenotransplantation: Animal-to-Human Transplantation”. The Council is embarking on a public dialogue project to listen to the views of New Zealanders on the cultural, ethical and social aspects of xenotransplantation. >> Read more here <<

A test for Bt10 is currently available within the EU! on behalf of the EU Commission, as reported in some media reports over the past few days, the detection of Bt10 maize as well as the distinction from Bt11 is possible immediately. >> Read more here <<

Meningococcal vaccine Information (MeNZB) for members interest GE Free has collated information on the Meningococcal vaccine (MeNZB) for members interest. >> Read more here <<

GE Moratorium Reinstatement Bill Lets hope we get more Maori and Green MPs this year! We could lose Act and United Common sense party! Many thanks to all the individuals and organisations who have supported Ian Ewen-Street's GE Moratorium Reinstatement Bill. Despite all our best efforts, the will of 70% of New Zealanders who would like New Zealand to remain GE free has been ignored and the Bill was defeated in Parliament last night. >> Here is how the parties voted <<

STOP SMALLPOX GENETIC ENGINEERING! Send a letter to the WHO Director General, urging the World Health Assembly to reject a proposal that would permit the genetic engineering of smallpox, and to instead ensure that all remaining stocks of the virus are destroyed within two years. >> Read more here <<

	Sign on to the GE Free Register and declare your property to stay GE free. Give a powerful message to those who intent to pollute the country with GE organisms. Research overseas shows that GE cannot be contained and threatens neighboring properties. Check out how many have signed on in your area already!!

R.I.P. GE MORATORIUM The GE Free marches around the country were supported by thousands of people. Government however acted undemocratically deciding to lift the ge moratorium anyway, despite 70% of New Zealanders calling for it to stay in place. At parliament’s "Tent City" the *People’s Moratorium* was launched and the Peoples Moratorium enforcement agency was set up. (see website) Things you can do: 1. Get as many people as you can in your area to sign the GE Free Register to support your calls for councillors to adopt a GE Free stance. 2. Contact your local councillors, encourage them to declare your local area GE Free. This year is local election year, find out prospective councillors opinions and support green candidates. 3. Visit your local Government MP–today, tell them your concerns and ask them to support their electorate!

URGENT: Write or talk to your local authority - questions referring to their new responsibilities in your area after the moratorium on GE is lifted. Check out suggested questions. New amendments are soon to be made to the Resource Management Act with more limited public notification on applications. 95% of resource consent applications are already processed on a non-notified basis and decisions are based solely on information provided by the applicant.
HSNO ACT AMENDMENT INFORMATION

Human Cloning? The New Zealand government is planning to become the first in the world to legalise the inheritable genetic modification of human beings within the next 6 months. They claim they are doing this because "There is potential for therapies that use germ-line genetic modification to rectify inherited genetic conditions such as Huntington's Disease." They are going to do this through a piece of legislation called the Human Assisted Reproduction Technology (HART) Bill. Although this Bill does make some positive changes, for example, ban reproductive cloning, the legal precedent it will set with inheritable genetic modification could change forever the evolutionary history of Homo sapiens. GE-Free NZ submission to the Hart Bill in MS-Word format (750kb) or in PDF format (930kb) The Beginning of the End of the Human Race and the Start of a Transhuman Future? Analysis of the New Zealand Governments Proposals to Amend the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill. Read article by Tremane Barr - also includes lots of LINKS to "cloning related" sites or check out the "International Treaty Prohibiting Human Cloning and Inheritable Alterations"

Win a Founders Brewery organic beer gift pack - to the first five people who send us GE labels found on different product packaging. Although the government has promised to label GE foods the team in Nelson still haven’t located any. We will publish the results in our next newsletter. Send to GE Free NZ, PO Box 693, Nelson.

ERMA DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON MAORI ISSUES AND GE http://www.ermanz.govt.nz/Consultation/Discussion-paper-Maori-concerns.pdf

About 10,000 people marched in Auckland at a Rally on November 16, 2002 demanding Aotearoa New Zealand remain GE-Free in food and environment.

New Edition of the GE Free Food Guide out now A new edition of the GE Free Food Guide was launched recently - much of the market place is now free of genetic engineering. Some of the largest food companies in New Zealand have taken steps to remove GE from their products. Search the database or download your free guide now at www.gefreefood.org.nz

What is Monsanto doing to farmers? The case of Percy Schmeiser and its implications -see cropchoice article.

	Seeds of Distrust: The story of a GE Cover-up In November, 2000 - in the middle of the Royal Commission on genetic engineering - the Government learned that a shipment of GE contaminated sweet corn seeds had been planted in three regions of New Zealand. Imposing strict secrecy, Prime Minister Helen Clark took control of the issue and said that the crops must be pulled out. Then the big business lobbying began. You can find the book here: www.craigpotton.co.nz


Activists - download leaflets, posters etc. for use on your stall etc.

'Coexistence' or the End of GM in NZ?-A Public Perspective - by Jon Carapiet- spokesperson for GE-Free NZ (in food and environment) Prepared for the 'Life Sciences Network' / NZ Journalist Training Organisation workshop, Wellington 23 April 2002. Read the article online or alternatively download it here.

Commission Fails Its Mission - How the Report Of The Royal Commission On Genetic Modification Presents An Erroneous And Unjustifiably Favourable Picture of Bioengineered Foods, Steven M. Druker, Executive Director, Alliance for Bio-Integrity

Open Letter to the Royal Commission on Genetic Engineering - Dr. Mae-Wan Ho, Director, Institute of Science in Society

	Royal Commission on Genetic Modification The Royal Commission on Genetic Modification has delivered its recommendations to the Government. You can download the full report as a zipped up version from our website. Note: It's 5 MB in size. You can also read the report online as a html version on our website.