Balloons filled with helium have been released all over New Zealand on the 28th of October 2002. This date is one year from the proposed end of the moratorium on GE release into the environment in Aotearoa / New Zealand. The balloons are a representation of pollen and show how GE infected pollen cannot be contained. We can't control where the balloons will end up when they drift on wind currents in the same way that the GE scientists, advocates of GE and growers of GE organisms cannot control where pollen from GE plants ends up. We believe that genetic engineering poses risks which cannot be controlled outside the laboratory. Research has shown that GE farming has consistently failed to produce the results claimed by biotech companies. Many people all over New Zealand are concerned about the release of GE into our unique and isolated temperate island enviornment for a range of diverse and valid reasons; environmental risk, health reasons, the right to choose what you consume, economic and trade implications, liability issues, sovereignty / tino rangatiratanga, spiritual and ethical questions, impact on conventional and organic agriculture, self determination of New Zealand as an independant 'democratic' state... the list goes on. Whatever the reason for concern and opposition to the lifting of the moratorium, people need to have the ability to participate in decisions in a meaningful way. This action sends a message to the government, biotech companys and GE research companies that the issue will not go away and that serious concerns must be addressed. This action is not endorsed by any political party. The organisers and participants are not members of specific parties, but are simply concerned members of the public from across the country, being individuals or belonging to various GE Free, environmental, and social justice groups. If you want more information or want to get involved contact your local GE Free group, check out the links to the NZ GE Free websites or contact us through this website.
Check out the UK Soil Association report on North American farmers' experiences of GE crops.
