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The Year that was 2018
Dear Member & Friends
Happy Christmas and thank you all for your support in keeping New Zealand GE Free for another year.
We have had an extremely productive year ..
- supporting our Philippine friends in their struggle to keep GE Rice from being distributed for non profit.
- a successful tour with Jonathan Latham highlighting the concerns that scientists have with the new GE technologies. Many thanks to those who drove us, put us up with accommodation and gave us wonderful kai.
- in October we made a very strong presentation to the Northland Regional Council to introduce a GE Free precautionary controls in their Regional Plan.
We have had strong collaboration with our GE Free alliance colleagues in Australia and the USA. We met some wonderful people this year who all help keep GE free NZ going - thank you! We appreciate it so much.
Having said that, a reminder membership donations and fees are now due for the year. click here for info.
LOTS of reading contained in this email, so please bookmark so you can browse through the articles over your break .. and see where recent subs have been going!
Alternatively, you can also download the full newsletter as a pdf for reading later.
This country is so beautiful and our mahi has shown us that we must keep NZ GE Free.
Kind regards
Claire Bleakley, President
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NATIONAL UPDATES:
Full press release & all references can be found on the links provided with each article.
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Another win for GE-Free New Zealand
Source: Marion Thomson, OrganicNZ 13 April 2018
The Soil & Health Association welcomes a decision released today by the Environment Court declining Federated Farmers’ attempt to challenge regulation of genetically modified organisms under the RMA.
In the latest case before the Environment Court, Whangarei District Council appealed the Northland Council’s Regional Policy Statement, asking to delete one word – ‘plants’ so that the policy would require a precautionary approach to be adopted towards introducing genetically engineered organisms generally – not just plants – to the environment.
“The court’s decision is a victory for common sense and for the interests of all Northlanders concerned about the possible introduction of GMOs into the environment, whether they be plants, animals, insects or microorganisms,” said Graham Clarke, Soil & Health’s chair.
Read more https://tinyurl.com/y898fcgn
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What does GE-free status mean to brand New Zealand?
Source: Jon Carapiet, pureadvantage.org 6 April 2018
New Zealand regulations on the commercial release of genetically modified organisms (GMO) have so far served us well, at least in terms of avoiding the negative effects that have been experienced overseas. These negatives include increased use of toxic chemicals and the desperate measures of ‘stacking’ chemical-resistance genes in crops to battle rapid development of resistance in pests.
Read more https://goo.gl/ceQDW1
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Is it time to re-open the genetic modification debate?
Source: Pat Deavoll, Stuff.co.nz 25 Nov 2018
Fifteen years ago, a nationwide protest attracting 15,000 marchers in Auckland alone, brought the issue of genetically modified organisms to the forefront of the Kiwi psyche.
The protesters armed themselves with the slogan "Keep Your Hands Off Our Genes", and the most hardcore tramped from Northland to Parliament in a "GE-free hikoi " to drop off 92,000 signatures of dissent. ...
The act was reviewed in 2015, but nothing new came of this.
It's time for a shake-up of the issue, say the country's science and agri-industry leaders.
Read more https://goo.gl/zyevDP
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Do Kiwis still care about GE free?
Source: RNZ Audio Podcast (listen: 27mins) 2 Nov 2018
The road to New Zealand becoming GE Free was hard fought. In 2003, thousands marched to show their opposition to Genetically Engineered foods and animals. New Zealand now has some of the strictest laws around genetic engineering in the world. But as technology changes do we still care about it? Jon Carapiet is national spokesman for GE-Free NZ
Read more. https://goo.gl/HHGWbj
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Northland communities urge Northland Regional Council to protect the region's valuable GE free status
Source: GEFree Northland 2 Nov 2018
Gene edited organisms are GMOs and are unacceptable in Northland.
More than one hundred submissions (lodged in response to the Northland Regional Council's proposed new Regional Plan) strongly back alignment with Auckland and Northland District Council plans that already contain provisions and policies created for the purpose of protectiing the Northern peninsula's valuable GE-Free status.
At the Whangarei hearings that took place earlier this week, the NRC was urged by all submittors (other than Federated Farmers of NZ) to include strong precautionary and prohibitive GMO provisions into the new Regional Plan and give effect to the precautionary GMO policy direction of the operative "Regional Policy Statement" (1).
Read more https://goo.gl/NN9P9J
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Dr Jonathan Lundgren - Reforming food production
Source: Kim Hill interview, RadioNZ 9 July 2018
(Listen to podcast 48min) https://goo.gl/7QjXZo
Dr Jonathan Lundgren received his PhD in Entomology from the University of Illinois in 2004 and was a professional pesticide evaluator with USDA for 11 years.
He was in Aotearoa for a workshop on Conservation Biological Control of Invertebrate Pests, hosted by the Bio-Protection Research Centre.
Listen to full interview (48 mins)
A "paradigm shift" in agriculture can massively boost farmers' profits and crop diversity, curb pests, and eliminate the need for tilling, pesticides and herbicides, scientist Jonathan Lundgren claims. "Farming for yield is not farming for profit," Lundgren says.
Topics discussed in the artile are:
No till - 'I make money off my weeds'
Second principle: Never leave bare soil
Maximising profits
Regenerative or organic - what's the difference?
Why risk unforeseen costs?
Neonicotinoids and USDA whistleblowing
'Science does not provide truth'
Mass extinction and neonicotinoids in NZ
Read more https://goo.gl/7QjXZo
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GE FREE NZ PRESS RELEASES:
presented by:
- Claire Bleakley, President 027 348 6731
- Jon Carapiet, National Spokesman 0210507681
- Jon Muller, Secretary 027 479 4195
Full press release & all references can be found on there links provided with each article.
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http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180223.htm
23/02/2018
"FSANZ have made a big mistake and an independent investigation of the decision is warranted. The organisation's credibility is called into question in an unprecedented way,"
There is no requirement to label the rice as being "pro-Vitamin A", setting a dangerous precedent for other nutriceutical foods which will leave consumers in the dark about nutrient changes in food.
The absence of any independent safety testing for unintended consequences should have led Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to decline the application.
"FSANZ have made a big mistake and an independent investigation of the decision is warranted. The organisation's credibility is called into question in an unprecedented way," said Jon Carapiet, spokesman for GE-Free NZ (in food and environment).
Food Safety Minister Damien O'Conner has failed in his duty to the New Zealand public by not taking action to have the approval reviewed. FSANZ must be called to account for a deeply flawed decision.
Full press release with references: http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180223.htm
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Appeal Sought Against GE 'Golden Rice'
http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180225.htm
25/02/2018
"There is a total absence of data on the food when eaten. A pre-market assessment has not been done and significant differences occurred in the GE rice proteins and nutrients, it is difficult to see how the GE rice can be deemed safe and wholesome, when no research has been done on its safety."
GE Free NZ is considering legal avenues to appeal the approval of GE rice by FSANZ and the Minister for Food Safety.
GE Free NZ met with the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) to raise concerns over the total absence of data relating to safety of the GE rice for consumers. Ministry staff replied that any concerns would need to be addressed to the Minister, as their assessment had been done.
The FSANZ’s GM rice decision [1] misleads the public, in saying the application is “Based on the available evidence, including detailed studies provided by the Applicant, … is considered to be as safe and wholesome as food derived from other commercial rice lines…approval of such foods is contingent on completion of a comprehensive pre-market safety assessment.”
The 'detailed studies based on the available evidence' cited by FSANZ were conducted by the applicants, GMO manufacturers Dow and Syngenta. The information was unpublished, and in the many thousand pages of detailed data not one study addressed the product's effect on health and welfare.
In previous assessments FSANZ were provided short term feeding studies indicating that GE food could cause kidney and liver damage as well as depress the immune system [2] [3] [4]. FSANZ now does not require any feeding studies.
FSANZ regulators are also giving false assurances that the GE rice will be labelled. The requirement for labels has many exceptions.
Full press release with references:http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180225.htm
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International Stand against FSANZ Approval of Golden Rice
http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180416.htm
16/04/2018
Unfortunately FSANZ has not provided the scientific evidence that can support GE rice safety. We hope that the Philippine regulators are not as lax and will protect the most vulnerable in their country by ensuring that long term safety studies, along the EU and Codex guidelines, are carried out
The Stop Golden Rice! International Campaign Conference, 2018” was held in the Philippines. The Stop Golden Rice! Network is an alliance of more than 30 organizations from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia with allies from China, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Delegates from health, subsistence and organic farmers, scientists, artists, consumers, women and children rights gathered to echo their united stand to resist the adoption of GMOs and Golden Rice.[1]
“We have long asserted that we don’t need GMOs which are intertwined with the use of toxic pesticides and herbicides. We have our own traditional rice varieties and sustainable ways of farming. We have also established and developed our diversified and integrated farms which is our source of nutritious food, pride and freedom.” explains Ramon Oliva, a MASIPAG organic farmer and community leader of SIKWAL-GMO, a local peasant alliance.
Full press release with references: http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180416.htm
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Border Control for Gene Kits Urgently Needed
http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180519.htm
19/05/2018
To protect New Zealanders from the cavalier use and creation of potentially dangerous homemade gene edited bio viruses, MPI must ensure strict border controls. Mandatory declaration and other measures are needed to restrict the spread of gene kits.
Gene editing kits are creating a new biosecurity and public health risk for New Zealand that needs to be addressed.
GE Free NZ is calling for the government to introduce controls on the importation of gene editing kits.
The New York Times made an investigation that found young adults are buying online gene editing kits to 'play around with genetic engineering at home'.
In one case a biotech executive injected himself with an edited treatment for H.I.V, but instead of killing the virus the gene increased the viral load. [1]
To protect New Zealanders from the cavalier use and creation of potentially dangerous home made gene edited bio viruses, MPI must ensure strict border controls. Mandatory declaration and other measures are needed to restrict the spread of gene kits.
Full press release with references: http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180519.htm
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Wellington Council Urged to Join Other Councils with GMO Rules
http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180607.htm
07/06/2018
GE Free NZ will be presenting a submission asking the Greater Wellington Regional Council to adopt a precautionary approach to the management of GMOs by: prohibiting the outdoor release of a GMO; and making outdoor field-testing a discretionary activity;
GE Free NZ will be presenting a submission asking the Greater Wellington Regional Council to adopt a precautionary approach to the management of GMOs by:
· prohibiting the outdoor release of a GMO; and
· making outdoor field-testing a discretionary activity;
GE Free NZ is concerned about the lack of objectives, policies and rules governing the use of GMO’s in the proposed Natural Resources Plan of the Greater Wellington Regional Council.
The submission will be heard on Friday 8 June at 11.15 Westpac Stadium
Full press release with references: http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180607.htm
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Calls for an Independent Bioethics Council to be Reestablished
http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180628.htm
28/06/2018
"Our concern is that serious and complex issues are being presented in a simplistic and inherently misleading way. The complexities of gene editing have been turned into a series of cartoons, and the absence of any information on the risks is a major error. It appears they are trying to create a patina of simplicity which is misleading for the general public."
The Royal Society of New Zealand (RSNZ) - Te Apārangi is encouraging New Zealanders to submit their views on the uses of gene editing in the area of Health, Human embryos, and Pest control [1]
Questions are being asked about whether the Royal Society is the most appropriate body to consult on the ethics and morals of gene editing. Gene Editing is a new technology that uses a variety of genetically engineered enzyme technologies like CRISPA/Cas, TALENs, Zinc Finger Nuclease and dsRNA.
T"Our concern is that serious and complex issues are being presented in a simplistic and inherently misleading way," said Jon Carapiet, spokesman for GE-Free NZ.
Send your feedback to Dr Marc Rands (marc.rands@royalsociety.org.nz)
Full press release with references: http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180628.htm
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Is Air Zealand disregarding regulations for food and passenger safety?
http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180706.htm
28/06/2018
Offering it on an aircraft sidelines the approval framework required of consumer food safety. Whilst we applaud the move to vegan diets on Air New Zealand flights, the question needs to be asked as to why Air NZ would put itself in the position of ignoring other delicious innovative plant-based non-GE burgers?
Air New Zealand is selling a genetically engineered vegan burger on its Los Angeles to Auckland flights. [1] However, its legality has been questioned as it has escaped food safety regulation. [2]
The GE burger has been developed and tested by Impossible Foods and contains fake GE blood so the “burger sizzles”. The fake blood is derived from yeast Pichia pastoris genetically engineered with a Soy Leghemoglobin Protein (SLH). [3]
Documents accessed by Friend of the Earth under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) state that the “FDA believes that the arguments presented, individually and collectively, do not establish the safety of SLH for consumption, nor do they point to a general recognition of safety.” The FDA also noted that soybean is one of the most common allergenic foods. [4]
“Whilst we applaud the move to vegan diets on Air New Zealand flights, the question needs to be asked as to why Air NZ would put itself in the position of ignoring other delicious innovative plant-based non-GE burgers, fitting the New Zealand Brand?”[6]
Full press release with references: http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180706.htm
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GE Ryegrass Trials Results An Illusion
http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180717.htm
17/07/2018
There is an opportunity cost in pouring money into GE that deprives farmers of real needed help. Since the idea of GE ryegrass was first conceived advantages provided by quality mixed forages and non-GM High metabolic energy rye grasses with proven safety and performance have been disregarded,"
GE ryegrass is still at the starting line, after unimpressive results from US field trials. Approval was given in April 2017, for a one-year trial in the US state of Missouri, but AgResearch costly GE ryegrass field trial has not been able to measure any significant outcomes.
AgResearch's GM rye grass has been 'in development” since 2001 and was intended to be commercially available in 2004. More recently trials were undertaken in Australia in 2012, the outcome is confidential. After 17 years of promises for GE Rye grass the benefits remain just supposition, with no proper safety evaluation of impacts on the environment, or animal health.
"AgResearch must be called to account. The GM ryegrass project is a costly miscalculation and has not improved the quality and resilience of the agricultural system for farmers."
A systems approach based on mixed forage plants and sustainable practices is the best way to add value and resilience that lives up to the reputation of Brand New Zealand that benefits farmers.
Full press release with references: http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180717.htm
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EU Decision on Gene Editing Technologies Supports NZ legislation
http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180802.htm
2/8/2018
Organisations and individuals concerned about the risks posed by GMOs applaud the ruling by the European Court of Justice that the new advanced gene-editing technologies, called ‘GMO 2.0’, are genetically modified organisms and should go through the same regulatory process.
The warning from scientists at the UK Sanger Institute of unintended effects from CRISPR-Cas9 supports the decision to regulate gene editing in Europe. [1]
New scientific research confirms that all genetic modification technologies can have much more damaging health effects than has been believed.
“These are dangerous suggestions, as the Zdziarski study shows, ten years after the genetically engineered corn was commercialised and entered the food chain and we still have no real evidence that the GMOs are safe,” said Jon Carapiet, national spokesperson for GE Free NZ “To introduce these advanced GE technologies without regulation would be irresponsible and negligent.
New Zealand legislation leads the way through the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, which sets out clear guidelines regarding advanced GE technologies devised since 1998. This means that the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) must approve any organism that uses gene-editing tools to alter the cells’ natural traits before such an organism can be released into the environment.
Full press release with references: http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180802.htm
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Government Urged to Review Glyphosate Based Herbicides
http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180813.htm
13/08/2018
New Zealand must find alternative non-pesticide solutions to farming issues. Agroecology and organic methods have proved that people can farm profitably and sustainably without harmful synthetic pesticides like Roundup
It is time to reevaluate the evidence and how Glyphosate Based Herbicides (GBH's) are used in light of a ground breaking court case finding harm from the glyphosate based herbicide Roundup products.
GE-free NZ is asking the government to immediately re assess all GBH’s and conduct a survey of farmers and workers health to see if there is a link to their cancer and the use of GBH’s.
Also we have 'Roundup-ready' genetically engineered corn, canola, cotton, sugar, potatoes and soy products entering the food chain that have been doused in Round up. A major ingredient of the controversial 'impossible' GE burger protein is possibly made from Roundup ready potatoes.
"We urge the government to immediately review the safety of Glyphosate Based Herbicides (GBH)." said Claire Bleakley “New Zealand must find alternative non-pesticide solutions to farming issues. Agroecology and organic methods have proved that people can farm profitably and sustainably without harmful synthetic pesticides like Roundup,”
Full press release with references: http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180813.htm
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Visiting Expert Speaks on Gene Technology For Food, Agriculture and Biosafety
http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180830.htm
30/08/2018
Dr. Latham will talk on the politics of food and address issues of internal culture of decision makers, and the legal framework that is often fraught with industry influences opposing precautionary decision-making, even when the science clearly points to risks.
Dr. Latham will talk on the politics of food and address issues of internal culture of decision makers, and the legal framework that is often fraught with industry influences opposing precautionary decision-making, even when the science clearly points to danger.
Jonathan R Latham, PhD is a prominent international advocate for public interest science. He is co-founder and Executive Director of the Bioscience Resource Project and the Editor of Independent Science News and Director of the Poison Papers project which publicizes documents of the chemical industry and its regulators.
Dr Latham holds a Masters degree in Crop Genetics and a PhD in Plant Virology. He worked at the Department of Genetics in the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA. He has published scientific papers in disciplines as diverse as plant ecology, and toxicology.
Full press release with references: http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180830.htm
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Regulate new GE techniques or Quit Trans Tasman Food Authority
http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180918.htm
18/9/2018
Powerful, clear scientific evidence shows the potential risks that new GM techniques pose. "A Wild West of genetic tinkering cannot be permitted. New GMO techniques need to be validated and safety checked to see what genetic changes have occured."
New Zealand must persuade Australian bureaucrats to follow world-class food safety standards being set in Europe, [1] or withdraw New Zealand from the trans-Tasman Food Standards Australia NZ (FSANZ).
Powerful, clear scientific evidence shows the potential risks that new GE techniques pose. It’s vital that organisms produced using these techniques are assessed for safety before being released into our environment and supermarkets.
The Australian Federal Government has asked the states to sign off on regulatory changes that would leave risky new GE techniques like CRISPR unregulated.
New Zealand's Minister for food safety must now ensure that both governments make the right decision – to regulate all new GE techniques and their products.
"The alternative is that New Zealand pull out of FSANZ and set out our own world leading food safety regime," said Jon Carapiet.
The European Union’s top court has ruled that new GE techniques such as CRISPR pose similar risks to older, transgenic GM techniques so must be assessed for safety in the same way.
The Australian genetics authority OGTR and FSANZ have relied on out-dated advice from scientists with serious conflicts of interest to reach their decision.
Full press release with references: http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20180918.htm
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Gene Editing Drives into Dangerous Unknown Territory
http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20181005.htm
05/10/2018
The hype around the ease and precision of gene drives for gene editing of plants contradicts the complex changes that occur and pose unknown risks to people, the environment and ecosystems...Once released they are released permanently in the environment and cannot be recalled.
The Royal Society of New Zealand, Te Apārangi, is inviting feedback on scenarios for the use of gene editing in the primary industry sector [1]. Are they leading New Zealand agriculture and horticulture into dangerous unknown territory when they promote genetically engineered Gene Drives without regulation?
New Zealand has developed in the laboratory plants and animals have reached a point where to get a return on the investments and patents commercialisation of the GMOs is the next step. However, it appears that the Crown Research Institutes and private investors are not willing to undertake safety studies to show that their GMO’s are safe so they are launching a massive advertorial media drive trying to undermine the regulatory process.
Gene drives are synthetically made enzymes made using laboratory procedures. They act like scissors, cutting out, altering, pasting, silencing and rewriting the cells information. These changes, when made in pest species, can persist in nature until the organism is driven to extinction. [2] There are unknown and unconsidered dangers on the impacts if the GE constructs spread to non-target populations.
Evidence in the last few years show that changes to organisms using genetic engineered gene drives are not precise or easy to develop and have many unknown risks to the cells and the developing organism [3][4][5]. These change are permanent, and inherited. When eaten the constructs can be absorbed by the gut resulting in abnormalities in blood and organs as well as causing auto immune reactions.
The EU has declared Gene Drives as GMOs, so has New Zealand law, requiring them to be regulated. We call on the Government to not fall for the hype. It is imperative that all advanced technologies derived through in-vitro techniques are fully regulated under the HSNO Act and have full governmental oversight.
Full press release with references: http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20181005.htm
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Communities to Council: Please Keep Northland GE Free
http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20181101.htm
01/11/2018
We applaud the Regional Council’s move to a special hearing to consider precautions around GMOs and hope that they uphold their communities concerns for protection of a GE Free region. Northland region has a growing agricultural market dependent on clean green GE free production.
An overwhelming number of submissions to the Northland Regional Council GMO hearing have backed alignment with Auckland and District Council plans that protect the region's GE-Free status.
The Northland Regional Council has been considering whether it should implement precautionary GMO provisions into its Regional Plan and reflect the policy direction of the Regional Policy Statement.
Submitters from Whangarei District Council, Soil and Health, GE Free New Zealand and GE-Free Northland, Auckland Coalition and individual ratepayers provided compelling evidence in support of a precautionary and protective approach in light of the emerging risks and off target effects of GMOs in the environment.
GE Free NZ is appreciative of the thoughtful and considered questions the councillors asked. It allowed an informative and interactive process that revealed the lie to claims of no negative outcomes from the commercial release of GMO’s.
“We applaud the Regional Council’s move to a special hearing to consider precautions around GMOs and hope that they uphold their communities concerns for protection of a GE Free region.” said Claire Bleakley, president GE Free NZ
Northland region has a growing agricultural market dependent on clean green GE free production.
Full press release with references: http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20181101.htm
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Open Letter - Glyphosate Based Herbicides Reassessment
http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20181105.htm
5/11/2018
Tena koe Dr. Freeth,
In light of new information on the safety profile of GBH and without reassessment the original findings on safety are unreliable. We request under HSNO s63 (2)(b) that the Environmental Protection Authority(EPA) conduct a re assessment of the conditions that the workers and public are subject to when GBHs are being used.
GE Free NZ in Food and Environment are extremely disappointed that the EPA is not considering the re assessment of the glyphosate based herbicides (GBH).
The decision not to re assess GBHs (approved under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act HSNO s32) in light of new evidence and concerns raised after the EPA Temple report in 2016, by Bruning and Browning on the safety profile of GBH, means that without reassessment the original findings are unreliable. ....
We ask that these conditions are considered and re classification of toxicity implemented in the reassessment for Glyphosate Based Herbicides use
• All workers are protected with proper clothing and headgear to stop the fine spray being inhaled or landing on their faces.
• Prohibition of spray in public places or sports grounds where the public and children play.
• No GBH is to be used over waterways or aerially sprayed.
• Parameters around wind speed when spraying.
• Regular blood testing for workers who are using GBH sprays.
• All illnesses that arise when people are in contact with or workers undertaking GBH spraying are given thorough clinical tests to rule out GBH causation.
As Dr. Jane Goodall said in her comment in the Bruning J (2016) report
“Today, I find myself wondering how we might hold regulators to account when they appear to be failing in their duty of protecting people and the environment.”
We ask that the EPA not fail in their duty of care to the public and re assess the conditions of use on Glyphosate Based Herbicides.
Full press release with references: http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20181105.htm
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UN Requires Regulatory Assessment of Gene Drives
http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20181201.htm
1/12/2018
The United Nations, Convention on Biological Diversity decision has mandated that gene drives (GE) must undergo a thorough regulatory risk assessment using scientifically sound case-by-case risk assessments before an environmental release.
This confirms New Zealand legislation is correct in requiring regulatory assessment on GE technologies.
However, some New Zealand scientists are collectively pressuring to removal of regulatory assessment on new gene editing (GE) technologies.
“The relentless promotion of gene editing has become a way of deflecting the terrible failures of the first (GMO.1) foray into genetic manipulation. Gene editing is only 5 years old and has never been subject to genomic profiling or feeding trials to see if it is safe to eat,” said Claire Bleakley, president of GE Free NZ.
Full press release with references: http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20181201.htm
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Dr Jeffery Smith now brings you:
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Watch Dr Jeffery Smiths new video for free -
Healing from GMOs & Roundup
Discover how you can protect yourself and your family from the devastating effects of GMOs and Roundup based on their new, leading-edge research
Learn from the Experts: Watch 18 preeminent doctors, researchers and product developers as they share their astonishing findings from the lab to the clinic.
https://goo.gl/p9k3mC
https://healingfromgmos.com/
Also available, Dr Jeffery Smiths new film -
Secret Ingredients
“This film is a life-changing, health promoting, must-see for anyone who eats!”
– Andrea L., Registered Dietician
https://secretingredientsmovie.com/
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SUMMARY FROM ACROSS THE DITCH
Courtesy of Gene Ethics - for a GM-Free Australia
geneethics.org
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* GM crops kept at bay in Australia *
Our advocacy for GM-free saw GM canola drop from 30% to <15% of Australia's canola crop. Only GM canola and cotton are grown commercially.
* 35 local councils move to Roundup-free *
Gene Ethics’ campaign petitions (scroll down) helped Local Councils go Roundup-free as they are liable for Roundup's impacts on residents and workers. Our long-running Chemical-free Councils campaign took off when Dewayne Johnson, plaintiff in the Johnson vs Monsanto case, was awarded $78 million for his glyphosate-induced cancer. Four Corners told the story.
* SA GM-free set to continue till 2025 *
We took the lead with the SAGFIN team in the campaign to keep South Australia GM-free. Our cyberaction and letter writing campaign were successful.
* New CRISPR GM deregulation delayed *
Our joint cyberaction with FoE mobilised 1,500 people to lobby State Ministers. Ministers then resisted the federal government's push to deregulate new GM CRISPR techniques and products which are untried and unsafe. They called for further advice so we are sending more evidence to add to our earlier submissions.
* Farmers Compensation Fund for WA *
Gene Ethics, FOODWatch and FoE made a strong case for a no-fault Compensation Fund, from which farmers can claim for GM contamination. It would be funded from a levy on GM seed sales, so the GM industry opposes the scheme. But Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan and Greens MP Diane Evers are sympathetic.
* Senate reviews APVMA and farm chemicals *
Gene Ethics contributed background to the ABC TV Four Corners program Monsanto Papers. It featured Dewayne Johnson's success and Monsanto's fake denial that Roundup causes cancer. In Australia, the program challenged the APVMA's independence as the regulator recovers most of its operating costs from the chemical companies. We meet the Senate Committee next week to argue the case Gene Ethics made in its written submission.
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New Australian Study Shows GM Crops Cause Leaky Stomachs in Rats
Source: GMO Judy Carman 11 July 2018
A ground breaking new study from Australian experts has shown that so-called “Bt proteins”, produced by some GM crops, may not be as safe as previously assumed.
Any two cells that line the stomach are normally held tightly against each other to form a “tight junction”. This stops any bacteria, viruses […] The post New Australian Study Shows GM Crops Cause Leaky Stomachs in Rats appeared first on Sustainable Pulse.
Read more: https://goo.gl/VKXcaL
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Experts Confirm Differences Between Genome Editing and Mutation Breeding
Source: www.testbiotech.org/en/node/2224 9 July 2018
In a recent publication jointly prepared by experts from the German regulatory authority (BVL) and US corporation DowDuPont, the experts have explicitly confirmed significant differences between new methods of genetic engineering and conventional plant breeding.
According to the publication, plants manipulated with methods known as genome editing can be identified and traced in most […] The post Experts Confirm Differences Between Genome ...
Read more https://goo.gl/W2Ny68
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Loopholes proposed by the Trump administration could exempt over 10,000
Source: Sustainable Pulse 2 Jul 2018
Or one out of six – genetically modified foods from a new GMO disclosure law, according to an EWG analysis.
The draft rule may exempt foods produced with GMOs if the food products contain highly refined GMO sugars and oils. There is a high rate of […] The post Loophole Could Exempt Over 10,000 GMO Foods from GMO Labeling Law appeared first on Sustainable Pulse.
Read more https://goo.gl/Wn8LKy
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Dark Forces Attempt to Weaken GMO Risk Assessment in UN Biodiversity Convention
Source: Sustainable Pulse 29 June 2018
Documents released to Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) by the Dutch Ministry of Health reveal an industry-aligned collaboration between biotech corporations, researchers and regulators, that seeks to weaken UN biosafety discussions on risk assessment of GMOs and new genetic engineering techniques like Synthetic Biology. With a new round of UN talks on the issue taking place […] The post Dark Forces Attempt to Weaken GMO Risk Assessment in UN Biodiversity Convention appeared first ...
Read more https://goo.gl/rHa6wa
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CRISPR Could Be Causing Extensive Mutations And Genetic Damage After All
Source: www.sciencealert.com/ 16 July 2018
CRISPR has been heralded as one of the most important breakthroughs in modern science, but there could be a hidden and potentially dangerous side effect to the wonders of its genetic editing technology, a new study reveals.
A systematic investigation of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in mouse and human cells has discovered that the technique appears to frequently […] The post CRISPR Could Be Causing Extensive Mutations And Genetic Damage After All appeared ...
Read more https://goo.gl/pEmrLZ
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Government Approves Ban on the Cultivation of GMOs in Ireland
Source: www.independent.ie/ 12 July 12018
The Cabinet has agreed to enable Ireland to prohibit or restrict the cultivation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Ireland.
The Government approved the transposition of an EU Directive, which will enable Ireland to opt out of cultivation of GMO crops approved for cultivation elsewhere in the EU. This will happen on a much wider […] The post Government Approves Ban on the Cultivation of GMOs in Ireland appeared first on Sustainable Pulse.
Read more https://goo.gl/C61957
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Trump Administration Reverses Partial Phase Out of GMOs and Neonics in US Wildlife Refuges
Source: newsroom.defenders.org 4 Aug 2018
The Trump administration has stopped a partial phase out of the use of neonicotinoid pesticides and genetically modified crops on national wildlife refuges where farming is permitted, threatening pollinators like bees and butterflies along with a suite of other wildlife species that depend on healthy, natural refuge habitats.
This policy, announced via a U.S. Fish […] The post Trump Administration Reverses Partial Phase Out of GMOs and Neonics in US ...
Read more https://goo.gl/ETPzyc
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European Court of Justice: Gene-Editing Will be Regulated in Same Way as GMOs
Source: Sustainable Pulse 25 July 2018
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) today published its ruling on the legal status of food and feed crops derived from certain new genetic modification techniques.
It gave clear confirmation that organisms from these new gene editing techniques are covered by existing EU GMO regulation. Reacting to the decision, which corroborates the January 2018 opinion of one […] The post European Court of Justice: Gene-Editing Will be Regulated in Same Way as GMOs appeared first on Sustainable Pulse.
Read more https://goo.gl/dTp3xy
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Organic Food Lowers Your Blood Cancer Risk by 86% – 70,000 French People Surveyed
Source: By Mia De Graaf www.dailymail.co.uk 23 Oct 2018
Cutting out pesticides by eating only organic food could slash your cancer risk by up to 86 percent, a new study claims.
The biggest impact was seen on non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma risk, which plummeted among those who shunned chemical-sprayed food, according to the survey of nearly 70,000 French adults. Overall, organic […] The post Pesticide-Free Organic Food Lowers Your Blood Cancer Risk by 86% – 70,000 French People Surveyed ... hygeia-analytics.com
Read more https://goo.gl/ZTf7RX
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New Gene-Editing Report Highlights Risks to Human Health and Our Environment
Source: Sustainable Pulse 13 Sept 2018
On the heels on the European Court of Justice’s ruling requiring organisms developed using new genetic engineering techniques to undergo GMO risk assessments, and several new studies revealing “genetic havoc” as a result of gene editing, Friends of the Earth and Logos Environmental released a new report Wednesday, Gene-edited organisms in agriculture: Risks and unexpected consequences. […] The post New Gene-Editing Report Highlights Risks to Human Health and Our Environment appeared ...
Read more https://goo.gl/22ito1
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Global Anger Erupts after Chinese Scientist Claims First Gene-Edited Babies
Source: Sustainable Pulse 27 Nov 2018
Chinese scientist Jiankui He has announced the birth of twin girls whose DNA he claims to have altered using the gene-editing technique CRISPR.
“If true, this amounts to unethical and reckless experimentation on human beings, and a grave abuse of human rights,” said Marcy Darnovsky, Executive Director of the Center for Genetics and Society, a […] The post Global Anger Erupts after Chinese Scientist Claims First Gene-Edited Babies appeared first on Sustainable Pulse.
Read more https://goo.gl/wcsqn6
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Tanzania Orders Destruction of Monsanto/Gates Foundation GMO Trials
Source: Sustainable Pulse 24 Nov 2018
Tanzanian civil society organisations (CSOs) welcome the decision of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Mathew Mtigumwe, to bring an immediate stop to all ongoing GMO trials taking place in the country.
These are under the auspices of the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) project which includes Monsanto, the […] The post Tanzania Orders Destruction of Monsanto/Gates Foundation GMO Trials appeared first on Sustainable Pulse.
Read more https://goo.gl/WaFdqH
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Bayer to Cut 12,000 Jobs,
Exit Vet Unit Amid Drag From Suits
Source: Tim Loh/Naomi Kresge, Bloomberg.com 30 Nov 2018
Bayer AG plans to cut 12,000 jobs and exit its animal health business in an effort to mollify Wall Street, which has punished the company over the tidal wave of lawsuits that came alongside the $63 billion takeover of Monsanto Co.
Read more https://goo.gl/fXmFyv
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Here is a quick summary of what's been happening,
but please check our website for more info: http://www.gefree.org.nz
Here is a quick summary of what's been happening,
but please check our website for more info: http://www.gefree.org.nz
- We have been participating in discussions with regulators and government.
- We have been disseminating national and international GE research findings.
- We have been actively supporting the GE Free regions court cases led by Soil and Health and GE Free Northland.
- We have participated in collaborative discussions with Australian & USA bodies.
Please have a dig around our site to see what we've been up to over the years.
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Keep an eye out for this logo & encourage manufacturers
to get listed & use the logo.
The policy simply requires sourcing non-ge ingredients for their produce and non-ge feed for their livestock. This is a policy not a guarantee to assure customers so should be easy to encourage all producer across the board.
More information here: http://gefreepolicy.com/
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We would love it if you could help by contributing an AP, no matter how small, to keep us ticking over & provide much needed assistance to raising awarenesses & protecting our legislation.
Please help us continue to keep Aoetearoa GE Free. We utilise your donations towards whatever action is currently requiring attention.
bank account#: 06-0996-0521358-00
http://www.gefree.org.nz/join-ge-free-new-zealand/
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For more information about what you can do to help
please visit
gefree.org.nz
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