Monsanto A Threat to NZ’s Homeland Security

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“Biotech companies are still trying to push their flawed and failed genetically engineered technology onto New Zealand farmers despite markets around the world not wanting to buy it” says Debbie Swanwick, Spokesperson for Soil & Health – Organic NZ.

The XII conference for International Biotechnology, being held at the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua from 2-6 September, signals a significant threat to New Zealand’s future. “One of the key issues these companies will be espousing at this event is genetic terrorism against our food supply, economy and natural assets” says Swanwick.

Monsanto’s VP Biotechnology, Prof Robert Reiter, is one of ten keynote speakers at the conference which also includes representatives from Du Pont and Swiss-based investment firm Festel Capital.

Monsanto has a worldwide reputation as the Darth Vader of agriculture. Despite industry propaganda from this sector, touting GE crops as safe and promising that cross contamination of organic and conventional crops will be prevented, experience overseas shows quite the opposite.

Some Australian farmers lured into the promise of a safe product returning high revenues, are finding their GE crops harder to sell even at lower prices than GE-free crops.

“The only profits from the Australian farmer experience went straight back to Monsanto. Cross-contamination of farms has pitched neighbour against neighbour and Monsanto is now dictating terms of how farmers grow their crops and run their farms – they are, so to speak, Monsanto farmers,” says Swanwick.

This month two Australian farmers, Julie Newman and Bob Mackley, toured New Zealand with Green MP Steffan Browning, to warn against GE and educate farmers and the public on the subject.

Monsanto has purported, in the past, the safety of Agent Orange, PCBs, and DDT. Now they are promoting GE food crops designed to be sprayed with 2,4 D, an ingredient of Agent Orange.

“This hui (meeting) is happening in one of the most beautiful regions of New Zealand that all kiwis consider a taonga (treasure), yet the introduction of GE crops would damage our clean green image and tourist industry. The General Manager of Scion recently suggested Rotorua could benefit from GE crops, but the only benefactor from GE crops are corporate bottom lines,” says Swanwick.

Scion is one of the conference sponsors and one of the two Crown research institutes still conducting GE trials (with GE pine trees).Millions of New Zealand taxpayer dollars have been sunk into GE trials, with absolutely no benefits. Soil & Health wants such funding to go into researching and developing truly sustainable organic farming and forestry systems.

“As a group we are not anti biotechnology – we are pro consumer and the commercial release of GE in New Zealand would destroy our choice to eat healthy, GE-free food and denigrate the mana whenua of our people. It could also compromise our exports and $20 billion tourism industry born of our clean, green image – which many people in Rotorua and Aotearoa rely on,” says Swanwick.

GE crops reduce biodiversity and their associated herbicides can harm birds, insects, amphibians, marine ecosystems and soil organisms.

Soil & Health – Organic NZ will be holding a public vigil at the XII International Biotechnology Conference from 12 noon on Saturday 1st September to 4pm Sunday 2nd September.To register your interest in attending this event please contact 09 419 4536 or email, advocacy@organicnz.org.nz.

New Zealanders won’t tolerate more GE food

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It seems a David vs Goliath battle yet one that New Zealanders repeatedly engage in and win – our right to freedom: whether from nuclear power or legislation that eases the way for more GE food in our food chain.

So, it should come as no surprise that the recent legal ramifications of The Food Bill have created such a public outcry. “While the purpose of the Act is Food Safety, amendments in the latest draft compromise that,” says Soil and Health Association spokesperson Debbie Swanwick.

In the latest draft of the bill, ‘genetic modification of food’, which had been on a list of things requiring food safety consideration under the minister’s regulatory power, was deleted. Now it is up to the trans-Tasman body Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to determine the safety of GE foods and to date, they have approved all of the 53 applications of 71 GE plant lines.

“New Zealanders won’t tolerate our food chain being compromised further by legislation that enables GE food producers easy access to our markets. We need the initial wording reinstated into legislation to secure the safety of our food,” Swanwick says.

The compliance costs of the bill on small organic growers could also disadvantage consumers, whose choice could become skewed toward nutrient-poor GE food produced by multi-nationals because organic growers are being financially ousted by bureaucracy.

The Food Bill 160-2 (2010) raises many issues – food sovereignty being only one. The level of force allowed by food safety officers, their immunity from prosecution and the powers of the minister are others.

The bill has been awaiting its second reading in parliament since February of this year.

Soil & Health – Organic NZ has an Organic 2020 vision – for a GE Free food and environment with clear choice of what is consumed.

Oranga nuku – oranga kai – oranga tāngata. Healthy soil – Healthy food – Healthy people.

New Spokesperson for Soil & Health Association – Organic NZ

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The Soil & Health Association – Organic NZ have announced the appointment of Debbie Swanwick as their new spokesperson.

The Association has been in operation for seventy years advocating  “Healthy Soil – Healthy Food – Healthy People” to create an organic New Zealand. It is the largest membership organisation supporting organic food and farming in New Zealand.

“Speaking out for Organics is a key role for our organisation, which is why our three thousand members so generously supported funding this position last year. We’re thrilled to have someone as gutsy and knowledgeable as Debbie to take on the task of advocating for an organic Aotearoa/New Zealand and to know that the organic movement is behind her 110 per cent,” says Soil & Health Association Co-Chair Dr Matt Morris. “Debbie will be taking the role to new levels, operating through social media as well as more regular media channels and of course through face to face contact.”

Swanwick has fifteen years experience working in not for profits in marketing, communications and advocacy for better social solutions.  Throughout this time she has been a strong supporter against environmental degradation.  In late 2003 she was very active against the lifting of the GE moratorium and most recently has fought tirelessly against a proposed industrial development that will compromise one of Auckland largest floodplains, in South Auckland.

“Over $572 million USD has been spent in campaign contributions and lobbying expenditure, since 1999, by the 50 largest agricultural and food patent-holding companies and two of the largest biotechnology and agrochemical trade associations.  It says something in itself that so much money is needed to push the argument for GE food.  I am privileged to be able to represent the voice of the masses in New Zealand, who don’t want GE food on their plate” says Swanwick.

Swanwick’s predecessor, Steffan Browning was spokesperson for Soil & Health – Organic NZ since 2003 and left to take up the position as Member of parliament for the Green Party in February of this year.

Organics Organisation Gets An MP For Its Seventieth

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The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand, which has just turned seventy, is hailing the election of Steffan Browning to Parliament as a great leap forward for New Zealand’s primary production sector.

Mr Browning, Soil & Health’s spokesperson, was elected to Parliament last weekend at number 10 on the Green Party’s list.

“We are delighted with Steffan’s victory,” said Soil & Health’s co-chair Dr Matt Morris. “This is a huge moment for organics in this country and one that we can justifiably be very proud of. It’s an amazing seventieth birthday present for our organisation.”

“Steffan has done a huge amount of work for the organics sector over the years, and now the organics sector is right behind him. Without Steffan’s tireless efforts, New Zealand may well have been littered with GE mad experiments gone wrong, a long time ago” Dr Morris said.

“Soil & Health wants to see Steffan on the Primary Production Select Committee, where he can have a real influence in shaping the organic future of our nation.”

“Steffan’s vast experience and campaigning in food issues such as aspartame, GE components, pesticides and toxic additives will fill a gap left by food safety champion Sue Kedgley, who has retired from Parliament.”

“We’re hoping he can bring about the change in land management practices and safe food our organisation was born for.”

The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand, founded seventy years ago in 1941, is the world’s oldest organic farming and gardening organisation and has 3000 members.

Organic Winegrowing Reducing Marlborough’s Dangerous Chemical Use

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Organic wine growing in Marlborough is reducing significantly the amount of dangerous pesticides used in the region. With 1400 hectares either BioGro certified organic or in conversion, that equates to a full 1000 hectares of land no longer sprayed with herbicide.

“In September 2007, 70% of Marlborough vineyard area was sprayed with herbicide, anything from 100% blanket coverage to various width spray strips, and a range of dangerous pesticides used the rest of the year,” said Soil & Health-Organic NZ spokesperson Steffan Browning.(1)

“With 6% of Marlborough’s grape growing area under management to BioGro organic production rules, the Marlborough community and environment is spared drift from numerous very toxic sprays.”

“Organic standards are very strict about what chemicals can be used in organic production and both workers and neighbouring communities benefit from this.”

“The reduction of effectively 1000 continuous hectares from herbicide use, also benefits carbon sequestration and increases soil structure and soil life significantly.”

To 100 field day attendees, Organic Winegrowers New Zealand yesterday launched an Organic Focus Vineyard project in Marlborough. Over the next three years, the project will follow prominent vineyards in three wine regions as they are converted to organic production. As part of the project, Wither Hills are converting a portion of their Taylor River vineyard (Sauvignon Blanc & Pinot Noir) to certified organic management. (2)

Wither Hills already have 40 ha in conversion to BioGro certified organic production. Mission Estate in Hawkes Bay and Gibbston Valley Wines in Central Otago are the other focus vineyard participants, with Mission already reporting satisfaction with the organic regime, including economic gains, over conventional, from its first year pilot study.

“Conversion to organic viticulture in Marlborough follow early successes such as Seresin’s in Marlborough and a rapidly building international demand,” said Mr Browning.

“The theoretical economic convenience of harmful herbicides and pesticides has created areas such as Hawkes Bay and Marlborough as potential health risks, and anecdotal evidence points to increasing levels of cancers in both areas, so the very rapid shift to organics is good for communities and wine consumers.”

“Endocrine disruptors are also involved with the sprays and in Marlborough the main population areas of Blenheim, Renwick and Seddon are surrounded or downwind of the dominant spray zones.”

“The spraydrift problem extends nationwide with a slow uptake of technologies that can restrict spray drift or recapture and recycle unused airborne sprays. These however do not address the blanket herbicide use on land.”

“The organic options not only reduce frost damage, but improve soil health and carbon sequestration.”

“Herbicide use is proven to reduce vine health through protein disruption and increases susceptibility to pest and disease. It also reduces grape storage life, and natural flavours appear to be rounder without herbicide use.”

“Clean organic alternatives to massive herbicide and pesticide use are in keeping with New Zealand’s best brand, 100% Pure New Zealand, our clean green image, and Soil & Health’s vision of an Organic 2020.”

https://organicfocusvineyard.wordpress.com

Disclosure: Steffan Browning is also a BioGro board member and Green Party Candidate for the Kaikoura Electorate.

CONTACT:

The Soil & Health Association of NZ – Organic NZ
Spokesperson
Steffan Browning
021 725655
campaign@organicnz.org

Government Must Separate GE Foods In New Zealand Shop Shelves

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New Zealand food labelling of genetically engineered (GE) food components needs to be investigated urgently, according to the Soil & Health Association of New Zealand.

“Soil & Health challenges New Zealand’s Minister of Consumer Affairs Simon Power, and Minister for Food Safety Kate Wilkinson, to find any accurately labelled food products containing genetically engineered ingredients in super market shelves,” said Soil & Health-Organic NZ spokesperson Steffan Browning.

World Food Day on October 16 is being marked internationally by activities showing the lack of labelling on GE foods, and a push against GE foods by events such as Right2Know and Millions Against Monsanto.(1,2)

Seventy different (GE) food lines and many GE food additives have been approved for New Zealand consumption by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), with no GE food applications having been turned down, although risks to human safety have been shown in animal feeding studies.(3)

Labelling of foods containing GE ingredients in New Zealand is practically invisible although GE soybean imports from the USA and Brazil have increased significantly and are widely used in processed foods including breads.

“USA consumers are calling for legislation to cover GE foods. New Zealand has such legislation, but it is not enforced,” said Mr Browning.(4)

“NZFSA has the role of ensuring foods containing GE/GM are labeled in accordance with the standard in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, but is hopeless at monitoring it.”

“When was there a comprehensive study taken by NZFSA to ensure consumers have the choice between GE and non-GE in their diets?”

“New Zealand should follow the Cypriot Parliament’s lead that gives consumers the choice of whether or not to eat GE foods, especially as reports casts doubt on GE food safety,” said Mr Browning.

The Cypriot Parliament passed a bill in April that will have GE foods placed on separate shelves to non-GE foods, and a French report showed weaknesses in GE food safety evaluation, and pointed to possible kidney, liver and reproductive health concerns. (5,6)

“Democracy, despite pressure from the USA, has led to the people of Cyprus getting the type of consumer choice that New Zealanders should be able to expect.”

“GE foods, of which New Zealand allows approximately 70 different GE lines, spread through numerous processed products, must now be displayed on separate shelves in supermarkets and shops in Cyprus, with strong fines for non-compliance. The Cypriots are serious.”

“Soil & Health – Organic NZ reported last year that there were 64 plus GE food lines allowed into the New Zealand food supply, consisting of GE corn, soya, alfalfa, potatoes, canola, cotton, sugar beet and rice, and numerous GE processing aids. This has increased to approximately seventy with several applications in process at any one time,” said Mr Browning.

“FSANZ has yet to turn a GE food application down despite growing concern over GE food safety and flimsy food safety studies. Independent studies show very real risks but the same regulators that take decades to ban now discontinued pesticides continue to protect trade interests ahead of consumers.”

“The latest Seralini report uses available data to show that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), that FSANZ and NZFSA look to, is not testing adequately for health risks from GE foods. Independent research has previously shown organ, hormone and reproductive changes in animal GE feeding studies.”(7)

Soil & Health – Organic NZ has an Organic 2020 vision similar to the USA and Cypriot consumers protesting today. It is for a GE Free food and environment with clear choice of what is consumed.

Oranga nuku – oranga kai – oranga tāngata. Healthy soil – Healthy food – Healthy people.

CONTACT:

The Soil & Health Association of NZ – Organic NZ

Spokesperson

Steffan Browning

021 725655

campaign@organicnz.org

Notes

(1) http://organicconsumers.org/monsanto/index.cfm

(2) http://www.right2knowmarch.org/

(3) http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumerinformation/gmfoods/gmcurrentapp…

(4) http://www.foodsafety.govt.nz/elibrary/industry/nzfsa-food-labelling-gui…

(5) http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/separate-shelves-gm-foods-now-law/2011…

(6) http://www.enveurope.com/content/23/1/10/

(7) Seralini et al have conducted studies showing organ damage in rats fed GE food. The latest report is using the material including industry funded studies and shows the food safety authority is not adequately testing GE foods. Extract from latest French report (6): The 90-day-long tests are insufficient to evaluate chronic toxicity, and the signs highlighted in the kidneys and livers could be the onset of chronic diseases. However, no minimal length for the tests is yet obligatory for any of the GMOs cultivated on a large scale, and this is socially unacceptable in terms of consumer health protection. We are suggesting that the studies should be improved and prolonged, as well as being made compulsory, and that the sexual hormones should be assessed too, and moreover, reproductive and multigenerational studies ought to be conducted too.

Green MP Sue Kedgley Applauded By Safe Food and Organic Community

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Green Party MP Sue Kedgley’s valedictory speech at 5-45pm today marks the coming retirement of this country’s most committed food safety focused Member of Parliament ever, according to the Soil & Health Association of NZ.

“Sue Kedgley has been the Member of Parliament who for 12 years has consistently pursued on behalf of New Zealand’s consumers, effective food labelling, a reduction in pesticide and food additives use, improved residues testing, removal of genetically engineered foods, and the MP who has achieved improvements to animal welfare codes, “ said Soil & Health – Organic NZ spokesperson Steffan Browning.

“A very effective campaigner who could both educate and draw on community support for issues, Sue Kedgley MP has worked closely in support of NGOs, affected industry and consumers, campaigning successfully for phase outs of sow crates, and controls on pesticides such as endosulfan and methyl bromide.”

“In a naïve or short-sighted Parliament, Sue Kedgley MP has strived to bring practical limits to the excesses of the New Zealand food safety bureaucracy, whose main focus is in facilitating trade rather than consumer choice or small producers viability.”

“Sue’s 37,000 signature petition on Country of Origin Labelling of food showed the overwhelming support for the issues that Sue stands for, and campaigns that will be continued.”

“Sue has been one of Parliament’s most avid organic sector supporters, someone who was always seen as an ally in an often indifferent environment. Sue is able to see the full environmental and social benefit of organic production and was never shy to promote those advantages.”

“Soil & Health – Organic NZ and many many consumers are pleased to know that Sue will still be working on the issues important to her following her retirement from Parliament, at the November 26 election.”

“Sue Kedgley MP has successfully promoted the values of Soil & Health, as expressed in our motto, Oranga nuku – oranga kai – oranga tāngata, Healthy soil – Healthy food – Healthy people.”

Soil & Health – Organic NZ will be represented at Sue’s valedictory speech today by our spokesperson, National Councillor, Patron and many members and Organic NZ readers.

CONTACT:

 

The Soil & Health Association of NZ – Organic NZ

Spokesperson

 

Steffan Browning

Declaration; Steffan Browning is also a Green Party candidate.

021 725655

campaign@organicnz.org

Australian imported vegetables should be banned, not nuked

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New Zealand food safety authorities are preparing to allow Australian vegetable imports to be irradiated, because the organophosphate dimethoate is about to be suspended from use for prevention of fruit fly and other biosecurity risks, according to the Soil & Health Association of NZ.

Australian authorities have recommended a suspension of dimethoate from most post-harvest uses by the end of September, following acknowledgement of serious health risks, that organisations such as Soil & Health have been campaigning about for many years. (1)

“The ozone depleting, carcinogenic and neurotoxic methyl bromide fumigant is intended to be used on the vegetables to protect New Zealand from fruit fly, following the dimethoate suspension, while irradiation approvals are sought,” said Steffan Browning, Soil & Health – Organic NZ spokesperson.

“Dimethoate in New Zealand is due to be reassessed next year by the Environmental Protection Authority and has a current Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) of 2 mg/kg in most vegetables, yet the European Union’s MRL’s are generally 0.02 or 0.05mg/kg purposely set at the lower level of detection. Dimethoate should be banned for all uses in New Zealand immediately.” (2)

New Zealand prohibits the import of fruit fly host material from Australia that is considered to be of economic risk, unless it has been suitably treated.

“Keeping production local will prevent the need for New Zealand diets to consist of risky nutritionally altered nuked foods or the use of dangerous fumigants or other systemic pesticides.”

“We were right about the health risks of organophosphates such as dimethoate, and we are right about irradiation and methyl bromide. All are implicated in nervous system failure and risk of cancers. Why do we want them? We don’t.”

“Just as Australian potato growers do not want New Zealand potatoes imported there, because of the risk of the economically damaging psyllid arriving from New Zealand, Australian tomatoes, capsicum, cucumbers and zucchini and fruit with risk of fruit fly infestation should not be imported here.”

“Fruit fly outbreaks are just a matter of time while Australian imports continue. The economic cost of fruit fly to our horticulture would leave for dead, the cost of recent and expensive biosecurity failures such as psyllid and varroa mite,” said Mr Browning.

“Both countries are capable of growing the vegetables at risk, and do not need to import them to feed our peoples. Local production is healthier for people and the environment.”

“Mangoes and lychee already permitted by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to be irradiated for import to New Zealand, can be sourced from fruit fly risk free countries, and there is a range of alternative phyto-sanitary techniques, such as heat or cold treatments, controlled atmospheres, and ozone treatments that can be used if imports are still seen as critical.”(3)

“Steritech, Australia’s current food irradiation business has been lobbying for irradiation of produce intended for New Zealand, and uses misleading risk information. Steritech also says that New Zealand imported 1095 tonne of irradiated mangoes and 110 tonne of irradiated lychees in 2010, while FSANZ says 460 tonne and 33 respectively.”(4,3)

“The same agencies that previously approved dimethoate and other proven dangerous pesticides in New Zealand food, are now using the same public relations ‘Fact Sheets’ spin purporting the safety of irradiation in food.”

Food irradiation uses waste from the nuclear energy industry and the food is exposed to radiation levels that create new risky compounds, while reducing nutrient levels. Cats fed irradiated food consistently suffer spinal cord damage. One outbreak occurred in Australia between June 2008 and March 2009 (Child et al., 2009). 87 domestic cats developed symmetrical hindlimb ataxia, paraparesis, tetraparesis, paraplegia or tetraplegia following eating imported irradiated pet food. (5)

Soil & Health – Organic NZ promotes local organic production without the use of dangerous pesticides, fumigants or irradiation.

(1) http://www.apvma.gov.au/products/review/current/dimethoate_faq.php#suspe…

(2) http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/doc/2146.pdf

(3) http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumerinformation/foodirradiation.cfm

(4) http://www.steritech.com.au/sites/default/files/irradiation_as_option_fo…

(5) http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/doc/1930.pdf Page 31

 

 

CONTACT:

The Soil & Health Association of NZ – Organic NZ

Spokesperson
Steffan Browning
021 725655
campaign@organicnz.org

Fonterra’s gutting of organic dairying next step to GE farms

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Fonterra has taken its next step towards genetically engineered pastures, with its announced scaling back of organic production by half, according to the Soil & Health Association of NZ.

Fonterra’s announcement yesterday of a 50% drop in support for organic dairy production, shows the dairy giant’s lack of support for good environmental practice and consumer health, and marks the next step to genetically engineered (GE) farmlands, according to the Soil & Health Association of NZ.(1)

“Fonterra has never really been committed to organic production, although aiming for 200 farms and a 140% increase in production from 2005. Just 200 farms was a very limited vision. Organic production across all New Zealand’s dairy herd should have been in any long term vision for clean green 100% Pure NZ,” said Soil & Health – Organic NZ spokesperson Steffan Browning.

“Organic production has been identified as the main obstacle to introducing GE grasses and crops into New Zealand in a Ministry of Research Science and Technology (MoRST, now Science and Innovation) report written by Terri Dunahay, an international biotechnology policy specialist with the United States Department of Agriculture.” (2)

“Government also stopped real support for the organic sector following a briefing to the Agriculture Minister by Dunahay in 2009, yet Dunahay was duplicitous in every presentation I observed her. The misrepresentation of GE internationally, was appalling when Dunahay presented to Dairy NZ and the Institute of Public Administration New Zealand,” said Mr Browning.

“Dunahay and other United States lobbyists, along with New Zealand based pro-GE scientists fail to mention the significant GE contamination of non-GE farms, the loss of markets, the massive increase in herbicide use, the new resistant weeds and disease problems, higher seed and production costs, loss of biodiversity, or the human and animal health problems associated with genetic engineering (GE).”

Yesterday’s shock presentation to organic farmers in Taranaki and the Manawatu that their organically certified milk wasn’t wanted by Fonterra, because of reduced international demand, also included comment that organics caused “conventional” dairy production to be questioned as to its quality.

Best practice organics has improved soil structure and climate resilience, 43% more earthworm counts, 28% higher soil carbon sequestration, improved animal welfare, 33% less energy use, and a massive 58% reduction of nitrate leaching, yet is not valued well by Fonterra, because Fonterra’s conventional farming’s dirty environmental footprint, might be questioned more. (3)

“The KPMG Agribusiness Agenda 2011 released in June, highlighted the potential lost opportunity of high net worth customers globally by New Zealand if support for organic market and production research is allowed to languish.” (4,5)

Organic dairy exports from New Zealand grew 400% between 2005-2009. Organic product sales in the USA grew 7.7% compared with total food sales increase of less than 1% in 2010, yet the New Zealand government is allowing funding for Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) to stop this June, and had already long stopped support for the Green Party initiated Organics Advisory Service that had assisted significant growth in organic certification.

“Fonterra missed retailing organic butter in New Zealand, and has failed to market its organic products well. Where was the Fonterra brands organic butter on New Zealand supermarket shelves? It wasn’t to be found. Blaming reduced markets when there has been continued growth in organic consumption internationally shows a lack of organic marketing commitment by Fonterra, not a lack of customers.”

“Fonterra and the government have spent millions of dollars on GE rye grass development, (6) while support has been stalled for the organic sector.”

“Most of Europe and Scandinavia and many other countries have targets for farm production conversion to organics, because the environmental and social benefits are well recognised, but in New Zealand there appears to be a blind adherence to short term economic benefit including GE, even when non-GE alternatives are proven.”

“When I asked on Friday, why the government had spent tens of millions on GE grasses, but had effectively stopped spending money on organics, Environment Minister Nick Smith told me, “We didn’t think there was any money in it,” “said Mr Browning.

“The planting of 336 GE pine trees by Scion and ArborGen at their Rotorua field trial site last week adds to the sadness of spirit New Zealand is suffering through short term financial aims by giant agribusiness, while it ignores the environmental and social health of Aotearoa New Zealand.”

Soil & Health wishes to express its support for the organic farmers whose livelihoods, dedication and dreams have been shaken by yesterday’s Fonterra announcement.

“Support by Federated Farmers to resist the drive for GE production in New Zealand, a requirement of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), could reignite Fonterra’s interest in organics. The New Zealand environment and consumers of the world will say thanks.”

Soil & Health has a motto of Healthy Soil – Healthy Food – Healthy People and a vision of an organic Aotearoa New Zealand.

References:

(1) http://www.fonterra.com/wps/wcm/connect/fonterracom/fonterra.com/Our+Bus…

(2) http://www.fulbright.org.nz/voices/axford/docs/axford2010_dunahay.pdf

(3) http://www.oanz.org.nz/openz/uploads/organic-report-2010-keyfacts.pdf

(4) Ref page 29: http://www.kpmg.com/NZ/en/IssuesAndInsights/ArticlesPublications/agribus…

.

(5) http://www.sustainabilitynz.org/

CONTACT:

The Soil & Health Association of NZ – Organic NZ

Spokesperson
Steffan Browning
021 725655
campaign@organicnz.org

GE grass reports foreshadow potential economic losses

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A report analysis showing potential economic losses by introducing genetically engineered (GE/GM) grasses, comes at a time when the government is drying up funding for the organic sector, one of the best value export growth areas, according to the Soil & Health Association of NZ.

The Sustainability Council of New Zealand has analysed two reports considering the introduction of GE  grasses and in an exclusive with the Weekend Herald put a strong economic case against GE grasses.   The Sustainability Council has identified up to $50 million in taxpayer money has been put into projects in developing GE grasses with Fonterra, Dairy NZ, Beef and Lamb NZ, AgResearch and Deer Industry (NZ) and PGG Wrightson also involved. (1)

“The proposed advantages of the GE grasses exist in conventionally bred forages and organic management systems that do not jeopardise our clean green 100% Pure New Zealand brand,” said Soil & Health – Organic NZ spokesperson Steffan Browning.

“As a nation reliant on primary production, New Zealand has a significant point of difference internationally with no commercialised genetically engineered (GE) crops. Our best value export markets do not want GE foods or GE fed animal products. “

“The KPMG Agribusiness Agenda 2011 released last week, highlighted the potential lost opportunity of high net worth customers globally by New Zealand if support for organic market and production research is allowed to languish.” (2)

Organic dairy exports from New Zealand grew 400% between 2005-2009. Organic product sales in the USA grew 7.7% compared with total food sales increase of less than 1% in 2010, yet the New Zealand government is allowing funding for Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) to stop this month, and had already stopped support for the Green Party initiated Organics Advisory Service that had assisted significant growth in organic certification.

Recent research has shown GE and herbicide toxins associated with genetically engineered crops are moving through from GE foods into both animal and human blood  including the unborn. Animal GE feeding studies have also shown organ damage and reproductive failure. As research results build showing such negative health effects, market resistance can be expected to build also. Several regions internationally are saying no to GE crops with some having changed from a more permissive approach. (3,4,5,6,7)

PGG Wrightson Seeds currently field trialing GE rye grass in Australia have indicated they want to be global sellers of GE forages with an early push into the large and more permissive Brazilian market. It is hoped that Ngai Tahu who are also considering organic conversion, use their new stake in PGG Wrightson to express a more principled and ecologically sensitive approach to business. New Zealand’s clean green 100% Pure brand can be maximised if our exporters show commitment to maintaining that, in their activities both in New Zealand and internationally. (8

Fonterra needs to show leadership and commit to a GE Free future, but is currently implicated by its funding of GE research activities in Pastoral Genomics and not ensuring that GE ingredients are not part of their infant formula products. (9)

Soil & Health aspires to an organic Aotearoa New Zealand that maintains a nuclear free GE free status in line with a clean green 100% Pure Aotearoa New Zealand brand.