BIOTECH COMPANIES ARE COMING TO NEW ZEALAND WHERE THE LAND IS CHEAP AND THE REGULATIONS LAX. WE ARE THEIR SEED-BED FOR OFF SEASON FIELD TRIALS.

Let us reject the bad science that has served to exploit, to oppress, to obfuscate, and to destroy the earth and its inhabitants. Let us opt for a joyful and sustainable future beyond genetic engineering: Dr.Maewan Ho.

ERMA HEARING 6 & 7 APRIL 2000
20 Custom House Quay WELLINGTON
Protest and candle light vigil outside on the 6-4-00
ERMA has not turned down a single application to field trial genetically engineered organisms to date. PROTESTS To be held outside the building for the duration of the hearing to bring attention and public awareness to the issue of ERMA not protecting the best interests of the NZ people it represents and is funded by.
VENUE - 20 CustomHouse Quay, Wellington - 9 am at the ERMA NZ hearing room, Level 1 BP House,. If the capacity for this room is exceeded, the venue may be moved to the BP Theatrette, also in BP House.
APPLICATION # GMF 99004 Agreseach is "To field test in containment in the Waikato Region, genetically modified sheep with an inactivated myostatin gene, to increase the understanding of myostatin function in order to identify the effects on sheep muscularity." No medical or agricultural benefits have yet been proven.
Trudy L Burgess

EU POISED TO BAN ROUND UP
Europe is considering banning the herbicide Roundup because of a recent scientific report showing that the chemical (technically called glyphosate) kills beneficial insects. A ban would not only hurt Roundup sales, but would also affect the biotech crops genetically engin-eered to withstand the chemical. Independent research in Sweden has linked exposure to glyphosate with non Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer.
Canada's renowned geneticist and CBC host, Dr. David Suzuki, calls for a moratorium on genetically altered foods. He said Canadians have become unwitting guinea pigs in an experiment on our food supply. Dr. Suzuki stated that anyone who says these foods have been proven safe is mistaken because it would take decades of research to determine the safety of genetically engineered foods, which have only been around for a few years.
Richard Wolfson, PhD Biotech News

TERMINATOR 2 YEARS LATER: SUICIDE SEEDS ON THE FAST TRACK
"We've continued right on with work on the Technology Protection System [Terminator]. We never really slowed down. We're on target, moving ahead to commercialise it. We never really backed off."
Harry Collins, Delta & Pine Land Seed Co., January, 2000

MONSANTO "BULLISH" ON FUTURE OF GM CROPS
ORLANDO, Fla., March 7 (Reuters)
Monsanto Co. will forge ahead with bringing its next wave of genetically modified crop seed to market despite the uproar in Europe and Asia over transgenic crops. Monsanto's vice-president for North American agriculture business said "We see the technology as very beneficial for the long term." said Carl Casale in an interview at a commodity conference there. "We are going to work through the issues. We are very, very bullish."
by K.T. Arasu

THE CURRENT SITUATION HERE
Nothing has changed. We are still eating unlabelled genetically engineered food. The Royal Commission of Inquiry is still having the terms of reference written. At present we are not going to get a moratorium on field trials for the duration of the commission. This is of grave concern, as farm scale sized 'field trials' march across the UK, New Zealand seems set to follow.

 

www.RESISTANCEisFERTILE.com

 

Include your postal address when you Email NZ Prime Minister:  pm@ministers.govt.nz

TRIAL CROPS IN THE UK
The Times (London) March 18, 2000 Home news
Michael Meacher backs yet more GM sites.
The Government was set on a new collision course with anti-GM protesters last night after giving approval for farmscale crop trials on 31 sites in England and Scotland.
GREENPEACE

PRODUCT BOYCOTTS IN NEW ZEALAND
There is a renewed call by customers for MILO to be made GE-Free. This kiwi icon is a family favourite and should be guaranteed not to have GE ingredients. People need to call the consumer hotline and ask when this will be? In the UK and Hong Kong the manufacturer has agreed to go GE-free but only when it has "heard " from customers. The period of action is also expected to see people turn the product upside down in stores across the country to remind people to call and demand action.
Phone 0800 - 830 840 and ask that Nestle NZ goes GE Free here as well.

LABELING GE FOODS OVERSEAS
The US and Canada, came under fire at a global summit on GE foods yesterday; over the thorny issue of whether consumers should be told they're consuming GM products.
Lisa Katic said, "Mandatory labelling could lead consumers to believe there are dangers (associated with GM foods).''
Katic was further cited as saying mandatory labels might force U.S. and Canadian retailers to purge GM foods from stores, where as much as 60 % of products contain genetically modified ingredients, mostly soybeans, corn and canola oil.
She said the growing niche market in organic foods would always leave consumers with a range of choice!
Ase Fulke, head of the Norwegian Food Control Authority, was quoted as saying, ``If your customers don't know about it, you've effectively taken away their right to choose. Labelling must be mandatory.''
Dr. Suman Sahai, a scientist from India said, ``It's presumptuous and arrogant that someone else should decide on behalf of consumers.'' Sahai was also quoted, ``I would like to know what Canada stands for. On one hand, you're supposed to lead an effort to establish labelling, on the other hand, you're working with the United States to sabotage it.''
Mitch Potter, Toronto Star European Bureau

GENETICALLY MODIFIED CANOLA FOUND IN AUSTRALIA DUMP SYDNEY, March 25 (Reuters)
Genetically engineered canola plants not yet approved for public release in Australia, have been found in a garbage dump; the Age newspaper reported on Saturday. The Melbourne paper said the experimental plants, contain multiple genetic modifications - including one for antibiotic resistance.

BIOTECH COSMETICS
The European Commission is currently investigating biotech ingredients in cosmetics. Soya and corn, which can be genetically engineered, are used in a huge number of beauty products, including moisturisers, powder compacts, eye shadow, anti-aging creams and lipsticks. Antibiotic resistance genes, which are routinely included in many genetically engineered crops, are a major concern because of the fear they may be taken up by disease organisms and add to the growing number of antibiotic resistant diseases.

The full text of Dr. Ho's concerns can be read at:

 

http://www.twnside.org.sg/souths/twn/title/mae-cn.htm

webmaster Memo : this link is to be updated or removed - pending review by www.twnside.org -

VITAMIN A RICE - IS IT GOOD FOR YOU?
The genetic engineering of Vitamin A rice deepens the genetic reductionism of the Green Revolution. Instead of millions of farmers breeding and growing thousands of crop varieties to adapt to diverse ecosystems and diverse food systems; the Green Revolution reduced agriculture to a few varieties of a few crops. From approx 100 to about 6, (mainly rice, wheat and maize) bred in one centralised research centre (IRRI for rice and CIMMYT for wheat and maize).
The Green Revolution led to massive genetic erosion in farmers fields and knowledge, erosion among farming communities, besides leading to large scale environ-mental pollution due to use of toxic agrichemicals and wasteful use of water. Genetically engineered rice as part of the second Green Revolution is repeating the same mistakes, while adding new hazards in terms of ecological and health risks. Including possible Vitamin A poisoning.

 

www.foxBGHsuit.com

"If the people of New Zealand realised that this kind of thing is happening here, they might take a little more interest in the whole genetic engineering issue."- Ed

The campaign to stop the genetically engineered bovine growth hormone (r-BGH) entering into the EU and Canada has been successful. The FDA failed to investigate studies showing that the oral feeding of rBGH led to thyroid cysts and prostate activity in male rats. The Health Canada study found that these results necessitated further study of the human health impacts of rBGH. The study also found that significant animal health problems were associated with rBGH use in dairy cows, including a 50% risk increase of lameness and a 25% risk increase of mastitis (udder infections).
However, the FDA approved rBGH for use in the U.S. in late 1993 without finding that it was safe for use and ignoring studies that indicated these human and animal health risks. In contrast, both Canada and the European Union have found the potential human and animal health problems associated with rBGH is great enough to prohibit rBGH use.
Antibiotic Resistance: Because rBGH use results in elevated mastitis levels, dairy farmers tend to use more antibiotics -- residues of these drugs may end up in milk and dairy products. These residues may cause adverse (i.e. allergic) reactions in a few sensitive individuals and contribute to the growth of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, now an important human health issue.
Laurel Hopwood

GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FIELD TRIAL CROP DESTROYED IN AUSSIE 8 March 2000
Activists from the Free Seed Liberation Front (FSLF) up-ended and trampled more than 200 genetically engineered pineapples in a field trial near Brisbane (Queensland) last night.
"Our governments should be directing research dollars into moving our society towards sustainable organic food production, rather than developing crops such as these pineapples, which are being developed purely to benefit the food processing and biotechnology industries." a spokesperson for the FSLF said.
"Following the Federal Governments' pathetic backpedalling on labelling of genetically engineered foods yesterday, it's obvious they can not be trusted to act in the best interests of the people. It's time for us to take action. This is just the beginning of the people's movement against genetic engineering of our foods.
We believe that genetic engineering of food crops will exacerbate the environmental problems caused by industrial agriculture and increase corporate control of the food supply through patenting genetic codes."

"DIRECT ACTION IS NOT ONLY JUSTIFIED... IT'S ALSO VERY EFFECTIVE"

TONY ARE THERE TOAD GENES IN MY SPUDS?
The field trial application to grow GE potatoes near Lincoln '98 stated that the object was to control the serious problem of bacterial soft rot in potatoes. Prior to the ERMA hearing; on contacting the main commercial potato growers in the Auckland region and other areas we were told that bacterial soft rot is not a problem in potato growing because: Resistant varieties of potatoes are already grown, and bacterial soft rot is a management problem. Solved by ensuring healthy soil, growing conditions, and correct storage of the crop.
Which really introduces questions of the real motivation and purpose of the decade long field trialling of GE potatoes in NZ by Dr Tony Conners? (Has there been a crop this year, as they had approval for a five year trial?)
Wendy Johnson (FOE)

CHINA - HIGH LEVEL OF MODIFIED FOOD ON SALE
An appeal for speedier labelling of genetically modified food was made by the Consumer Council yesterday. When the council released a survey that found one in five super-market products studied, contained GM ingredients. In a survey of 105 food products, the most commonly modified crops were soya beans, corn and tomatoes, 21 products were found to have GM contents. The nine products with the most genetically altered ingredients had from three to 50 per cent, including three baby formulas. Abbott Laboratory's Isomil Soy Protein Infant Formula had the top reading, 50 %, followed by Campbell's Golden Corn soup and Nissin Demae Ramen Instant Noodle, at 30 % each.
By Alex Lo - South China Morning Post Ltd

AUSTRALIA-WIDE PROTESTS SAY 'NO!' TO GE FOODS World Consumer Rights Day - March 15
There were protests in most capital cities and many regional centres today over the presence of unlabelled, untested genetically engineered foods on supermarket shelves. An information leaflet was launched to mark World Consumer Rights Day and to counter government funded disinformation in supermarkets.
"Access to information and the right to know what has been done to our food must be guaranteed by labelling," said GeneEthics Director Bob Phelps.
"But our Prime Minister has delayed the labelling of processed foods containing imported GE soy, corn, canola, potato and sugarbeet, as well as local cottonseed oil," said Bob.
"Health Ministers decided last year to label all foods produced using gene technology, but that may now be reversed and July 2001 is the earliest we may see labels," he said.
"Howard has done the dirty on Australian food buyers, siding with US companies that claim to benefit US farmers but impose health and environmental hazards on us," he said.
"On World Consumer Rights Day we demand our right to know what we are eating," he said.
"With government support for the organic industry instead of GE, Australia could meet the huge demand for clean, green organic foods," he concluded.
How does this impact upon us? By giving our decisions on labelling to ANZFA, has NZ lost its right to choose.

Clean and Green sounds familiar - will NZ Miss the Boat?

GE-FREE ZONE FOR CHRISTCHURCH
April 13th, the Environment Committee of the Christchurch City Council is holding a seminar on the GE issue. They aim to become more informed about GE. They can then consider what declaring a GE-Free Zone would mean for Christchurch. Afterwards, the Committee will decide whether to recommend that Groundswell's GE-Free Zone proposal proceed to full council. Dr Morgan Williams, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Janice Wright from IBAC and Sue Kedgley from the Safe Food Campaign will address the seminar. In Nov 99 many committee members expressed concern about GE, and a desire to know more about the issue, reacting positively to the vision of a GE-Free Christchurch as outlined in the proposal.
Contact 03 389 2938 Paul de Spa

GREENPEACE ATTACKS FRANKENFLAKES
The Detroit News March 24, 2000
Greenpeace protests Kellogg.
Demonstrators scale museum wall, call for end to genetically modified ingredients.
Five Greenpeace demonstrators were arrested Thursday for scaling the walls of a Kellogg Co. museum and unfurling banners…

 

http://www.producer.com/articles/20000210/news/20000210news01.html

 

www.ge-free.co.nz

www.purefoods.org

www.bio-integrity.org

for kids: www.oneworld.net

PSRG: www.psrg.org.nz

www.greenpeace.org

Richard North: www.iea.org.uk/wpapers/northgmo2.htm

Revised USDA Organic Proposal: www.ams.usda.gov/nop/

www.safe-food.org

Luke Andersons book
Genetic Engineering, Food and Our Environment
Scribe publication $24.95 Isbn No: 0-908011-43-1
Distribution-Addenda Ph 09-836-2999 Fax 09-836-2399

 

Email: ED.Nz@xtra.co.nz

BIODEMOCRACY AND ORGANIC CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION
March 21, 2000
Washington, March 21-An unprecedented coalition of more than 50 consumer, environmental, scientific, farm and health groups filed a legal petition with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today demanding the establishment of stringent pre-market safety testing regulations for genetically engineered foods (GE foods). Under the current FDA "non-labelling" policy, those suffering from food allergies have no way of knowing they are consuming GE foods or how to avoid this potential new source of food allergy. Health profession-als are also concerned that the mass consumption of GE foods, most of which contain genetic material resistant to antibiotics, could eventually make treating infections more difficult.
"The FDA has ignored the law and placed the interest of a handful of biotechnology companies ahead of their responsibility to protect public health," stated Andrew Kimbrell. "By failing to require pre-market testing and labelling of genetically engineered foods, the agency has made consumers unknowing guinea pigs for potentially harmful, unregulated food substances."
Web Page:

 

http://www.NaturalLaw.org.nz/genetics/default.htm

SEED SAVING
Saving seed of non-hybrid (open pollinated) food is of paramount importance, for those interesed in seed saving all are welcome to enquire as to joining Seed Savers Aotearoa New Zealand.
Contact John Massey:

 

Email: john@seedsavers.org.nz

website: www.seedsavers.org.nz

 

www.soil-health.org.nz

 

Email: GEFREE@ts.co.nz

Compiled and edited by Trudy L Burgess
Co edited by Susie Lees

For further information contact:
G E Free NZ
P O Box 693
Nelson, New Zealand
Phone 03 548 6606, Fax 03 546 5036

 

Email: GEFREE@ts.co.nz

www.ge-free.co.nz