New Zealand’s Fast Forward must be organic

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Yesterday’s government announcement of a new fund called New Zealand Fast Forward of $700 million for future research, development and innovation in the pastoral and food industries has overlooked the obvious need for organics, according to the Soil & Health Association.

“The vision is great but is too timid to say ORGANIC. The potential of this investment is massive if directed in a different direction from the past and it is encouraging that the Fast Forward Overview document says this is not about business as usual,” says Soil & Health spokesperson Steffan Browning.

“Business as usual has had genetic engineering and soil life disruptors such as nitrification inhibitors touted as solutions to the mistakes of the past. Fast Forward with the same drivers is fast forward and out for New Zealand. Healthy vital soils and organic production is the way to a sustainable and vibrant future. With an organic focus we can future proof the economy as intended.”

As the Prime Minister’s statement said, “we heard late last year at the Primary Industries 20/20 Summit in Christchurch about the urgent need to lift economic and environmental performance across the primary sectors.”

“I also attended the summit, and the real message was not actually about the big lift in performance that would once again be unsustainable, it was a big NO to GE and a clear YES to ORGANICS, as the demographers who had identified market trends for the next two decades pointed out,” says Mr Browning. “Performance was pushed at the summit, but genuine sustainability was always part of the discussion. More does not necessitate better.”

“The Primary Industries 20/20 Summit identified the dominant market for New Zealand exports until 2030 as the first world baby boomers from North America, Europe and Japan, with discretionary cash who had a focus on ‘wellness’ and who wanted more and more of their food and fibre purchases to be sustainably and ethically produced. Good animal welfare practices, pesticide and GE free, carbon neutral, sustainable water use, and fair trade were identified as part of their preferences. Organics was identified as ideal.”

“So where is the organics in this $700 million equation? Where is the target of 10% organic production by 2012 with research and support to make New Zealand truly sustainable?”

“It appears that no one wants to upset the elephant in the room: the old guard of unsustainable primary production and the exploitive, unsustainable big corporates, with research institutes locked into the same mindset and a wasteful competitive funding structure.”

“The dollar for dollar government and industry arrangement doesn’t easily support the organic sector that has been economically disadvantaged in comparison with the conventional sector. The often unsustainable practices of the chemical-based conventional sector have externalised costs onto the community with pesticide residues, dirty waterways, land degradation and spoiling of our clean green market image. Comparative overseas countries seriously support organics for the benefits for environment, health and community.”

“Does organics only get a look-in if it is part of the giants in this new form of industry-government partnership? Can it be better than just intellectual property and nutraceuticals and GE?”

“Mr Hodgson yesterday quoted two R&D aims. The first was very positive on sustainability, and organics fits perfectly as a solution, however the second while sensibly advocating value adding, got lost in NEW ‘progress in new products, in food ingredients, functional foods, nutraceuticals, all the way to biologically derived pharmaceuticals’, and has missed what our markets actually want; natural, organic and GE free.”

“Mr Hodgson also discussed comparatives with Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands and Canada and extrapolated, “A primary production base can go hand in hand with a higher technology future.” However while none of those has quite the opportunities of New Zealand and its isolation to be a truly clean and green land, Sweden and the Netherlands have government initiated organic production targets already revised upwards. For environmental benefits, community health gains and to future proof our exports, it is time for government policy to have an organic production target,” says Mr Browning.

Wellington’s Regional Council compromising air safety again

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Several hundred kilograms of toxic methyl bromide gas were released into Wellington air from Port Wellington late Tuesday, according to the Soil & Health Association. Conditions were wild with a wind of about 50 knots that had tarpaulins meant to contain the gas, flapping and tearing.

Flags and sea spray in the Stadium-Waterloo Quay area indicated a potential wind direction towards Queens wharf.

The gas, which is a neurotoxin, and also depletes the ozone layer, was released from under fumigation tarpaulins on 11 log stacks and also possibly from the hold of the log ship IVS Hunter.

“This signifies a huge increase from last month’s gas release when just 3 stacks were fumigated, and when the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) misrepresented reality by suggesting all was well by quoting some misleading monitoring results,” says Soil & Health spokesperson Steffan Browning. “GWRC must issue an abatement notice instead of allowing persistent and obvious noncompliance.”

The GWRC plan prohibits any fumigant at or beyond the boundary of the property.

“It appears that misinformation persists and very crude management of fumigation has occurred again.”

“Late this afternoon (Tuesday) I was called by the GWRC Environment Management Divisional Manager to let me know that the Port had just notified to say that due to the high winds the gas covers would remain on until Wednesday or Thursday. By 7 pm tonight (Tuesday) there were only remnants of damaged covers on the logs and all others were neatly rolled up. Effectively, while I was being called the covers were being removed. What sort of consultation is that?”
Lighter and more predictable winds were due Wednesday morning ahead of a lighter southerly change.

“GWRC, port company CentrePort, fumigating company Genera and the Department of Labour have organised an increase in monitoring methods in an endeavour to ensure the safety of the release of the gas. However, methyl bromide is one of the more harmful poisons known to humankind, and it can never be safe unless it is recovered from the fumigation facility.”

“All the gas released today would have swirled its way beyond the boundary without doubt and it will be interesting to get the monitoring data from the agencies involved.”

“Air monitoring at the Port does not equal air modelling. Air modelling could actually guide where monitoring should take place, but will actually indicate that fumigation cannot proceed unless the gas is captured after use.”

Failure to detect the gas at ground or near ground level at port boundaries does not constitute compliance, and GWRC knows full well that the gas doesn’t disappear instantly or go directly up to where it will ultimately damage the ozone layer. Depending on conditions such as inversion layers, breeze, humidity and temperature, the gas could be drifting, swirling anywhere. ”

“Will the GWRC serve an abatement notice on the activity if by chance they were so fortunate to get a whiff of the toxic fumigant at the Port boundary? Were they monitoring or did fumigator Genera just rip the covers off again without actually monitoring? It will be a good test of the integrity of the Regional Plan and council processes,” says Mr Browning.

“While Soil & Health is pleased to hear that the Port’s fumigation code of practice has been improved by not allowing gas release while cruise liners are moored alongside, CentrePort has yet to make that Code of Practice publicly available. We are absolutely sure that no credible Code of Practice was complied with in today’s conditions.”

“Fumigation in the centre of coastal cities is a relic of urban development surrounding ports that began in the days of sailing ships before the use of large volume super toxic synthetic pesticides on logs. Modern ships are welcome but not modern yet primitive phytosanitary practices that disregard human and environmental safety.”

“This log fumigation in Wellington should be stopped immediately.”

Soil & Health is committed to genuine sustainability, healthy people and an organic 2020.

NOTES:

Soil & Health has previously raised the issue of fumigation with methyl bromide gas at the Port, adjacent to Wellington’s Waterloo Quay and the Stadium, and very close to ferries, schools and university, railway station, Parliament buildings and business district. The toxic fumigant gas is released into the air in large quantities from under tarpaulins after hours of log fumigation.

Methyl bromide (CH3Br) is an odourless, colourless gas, used as a pre-shipment (QPS) fumigant pesticide that kills all pests, and is extremely toxic to humans.

Human exposure to methyl bromide has potentially serious acute impacts on the central nervous system and internal organs that can be fatal, with a range of neurological effects associated with chronic exposure.

Soil & Health boosts Methyl Bromide protest

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Soil & Health today joined with Green Party members including MP Sue Kedgley, Greenpeace, and student protestors outside Wellington’s CentrePort log yard to alert morning commuters to the use of methyl bromide there.

“The morning event included white protective suited protestors with gas masks and banners demonstrating the serious risks of the neurotoxic gas that is released to the Wellington air in large quantities following fumigation of export logs,” said Soil & Health spokesperson Steffan Browning.

“The Greater Wellington Regional Council appears to be stalling a ban of the release to air of the toxic and ozone destroying gas.”

“We have met with the Council and since then there have been improvements in observation of the fumigation, but the monitoring results so far prove that they do not know where the gas is escaping to and whose health might be affected.”

“It is an insult to the intelligence of Wellington people for Council to suggest that the gas is not exceeding health standards when hundreds of kilograms are being released with each fumigated log shipment.”

“Everyone knows that methyl bromide destroys the atmospheric ozone layer. Greater Wellington Regional Council can show leadership by insisting that methyl bromide gas be recaptured after use or discontinue its use. New Zealand, with an increase in methyl bromide use of more than 300% since 2001, is a world leader in skin cancer caused by high ultra violet radiation that is increased by weakened atmospheric ozone.”

Methyl bromide (CH3Br) is an odourless, colourless gas, used as a pre-shipment fumigant pesticide that kills all pests and is extremely toxic to humans.

Human exposure to methyl bromide has potentially serious acute impacts on the central nervous system and internal organs that can be fatal, with chronic exposure associated with a range of neurological effects such as motor neurone disease.

“The log exporters’ concern about economic impact must be a very big second to the health risks posed to the community and the damage to the ozone layer. Gas capture technology must urgently be installed if log exports are to continue from Wellington,” said Mr Browning.

“A public statement is now needed from the Port Company and Regional Council, that release of toxic fumigants into the atmosphere at Wellington will stop permanently.”

“Clean alternatives to toxic or ozone depleting gases must be implemented in keeping with Brand New Zealand’s Clean Green 100% Pure image, and Soil & Health’s vision of an Organic 2020.”

Wellington’s air quality safety agencies are dangerously misleading

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Failure by Greater Wellington Regional Council, CentrePort and the Department of Labour to detect toxic methyl bromide gas at CentrePort’s Port Wellington boundary on Tuesday shows that monitoring is inadequate, according to the Soil & Health Association.

Following log fumigation under tarpaulins, a large volume of neurotoxic methyl bromide gas was released at Wellington’s waterfront on Tuesday. Monitoring was carried out primarily by fumigator company Genera. This followed concerns expressed by Soil & Health, who insist that log fumigation in town and city centres must stop until gas capture technology is begun.

“It is exactly as we told the Council,” said Soil & Health spokesperson Steffan Browning. “Air scientists insist that monitoring in the absence of air modelling will tell them little. Monitoring for an invisible, odourless, tasteless gas when you do not know where it is going, is as one scientist said, “like trying to catch a mosquito in a bird net, totally worthless.” Modelling is required to show where it is appropriate to monitor.”

“Somehow the Council and fumigator company Genera, who supplied most monitoring equipment, seem to suggest that magically the gas just disappears when they know full well, that particularly in the light wind conditions of Tuesday, that the gas would dissipate slowly. There is absolutely no way that methyl bromide was not passing the Port boundary on Tuesday and they know that. They did not know where to look and also appeared to avoid the obvious.”

“Methyl bromide is heavier than air and although eventually mixing and diluting with air, it will behave in a variety of ways as any gas does, depending on conditions at the time. Genera and the Port Company, which is majority owned by the Regional Council, have a vested interest in log fumigation business as usual, and are not the independent air scientists that the community needs to have assessing safety risks.”

“Under its own air plan and the Resource Management Act, the Greater Wellington Regional Council has an obligation to stop the log fumigation, and to not fudge the very real safety risks or the Council’s environmental responsibilities.”

“Nelson City Council’s fumigation rules developed with expert air scientists, include capture and destruction technology as agreed there by Genera, and such miniscule levels of air contamination that consequently rule out log fumigation in Port Nelson due to the health and safety risks. Wellington City is just as exposed, yet those responsible for public safety and environmental care appear to be dodging the hard decisions.”

“Media coverage suggesting long term methyl bromide use at the Port, fails to distinguish the huge differences between the relatively small amounts of gas used on some imported goods and the massive amounts recently being used on commodity log shipments. This amounts nationally to a a 300% increase in methyl bromide use since 2001, even with the phasing out of methyl bromide soil fumigation in horticulture.”

“ Log fumigation in towns and cities must be stopped immediately and an urgent phasing in of fumigant capture and destruction technology, heat treatment and other phytosanitary alternatives must be implemented for imports,” said Mr Browning.

Soil & Health is committed to an Organic 2020, with healthy soil, food and people.

Wellington’s toxic gas plume headed to Oriental Parade

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Large volume toxic methyl bromide fumigation continued this morning at Wellington’s CentrePort with the cruise ship Statendam berthed today 140 metres north of the fumigation site.

Two log stacks fumigated under tarpaulins since Sunday evening originally were to have had the fumigant released to the atmosphere in the small hours this morning ahead of the Statendam’s arrival.

“The fumigant gas plume now due to be released at 10-30am today with the light northerly wind is expected to have headed seaward to the south of the cruise ship with dispersal in the direction of Oriental Parade,” said Soil & Health Association spokesperson Steffan Browning. “Fumigation last night would have had a dangerous gas plume headed into town.”

“It is positive to see that for a change warning signs and some limited precaution appears to have been used, however without modelling of air movement at a fumigation site, there is no certainty where the colourless, odourless, tasteless neurotoxin will go, apart from eventually damaging the ozone layer.”

“It is unknown where the gas will dissipate to safe levels and what boat movements or recreationalists are in the area. The gas dispersal does not comply with the Greater Wellington Regional Council Air Plan which disallows fumigation gas to pass the boundary.”

Another cruise ship, the Mercury, is scheduled to berth at the same site or immediately adjacent to the log stacks on Thursday, ahead of the log ship Lodestar Forest’s arrival on Friday morning, however CentrePort has now said that there is to be no more fumigation ahead of the Lodestar Forest’s arrival.

“That is good news for Wellington as generally 8 –10 log stacks would have been fumigated compared with the two that have been fumigated against the Air Plan rules.”

According to the shipping schedule the Lodestar Forest originally to arrive in Wellington from Qingdao appears to have now been diverted to Gisborne and is expected to return there after picking up Wellington’s fumigated logs.

“Soil & Health had called for a meeting with CentrePort, Greater Wellington Regional Council, the fumigators, port workers and other stakeholders ahead of any potential fumigation, and was disappointed that any log fumigation occurred ahead of roundtable discussions.”

“Capture and destruction’ technology that filters out methyl bromide gas from fumigation and other alternatives for phytosanitory fumigation such as heat treatment, are urgently required.”

ALERT !! Wellington’s air to be poisoned Sunday & Monday

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Soil & Health has been told by the Greater Wellington Regional Council that log fumigation using methyl bromide is to be carried out this weekend at Port Wellington.

“The fumigation due to begin late Sunday in preparation for the log ship Lodestar Forest, will release methyl bromide into the Wellington port surrounds particularly strongly on Monday,” said Soil & Health spokesperson Steffan Browning.

“Depending on the log destination and ambient temperature, fumigation may be anything from 12 – 24 hours in duration, and may be required to be released during daylight hours.”

“Fumigating company, Genera, even on best behaviour and following the port company CentrePort’s new Code of Practice, will still not comply with the Regional Plan. This log fumigation in Wellington should be stopped immediately.”

Soil & Health had previously raised the issue of fumigation with methyl bromide gas at the Port, adjacent to Wellington’s Waterloo Quay and the Stadium, and very close to ferries, schools and university, railway station, Parliament buildings and business district. The toxic fumigant gas is released into the air in large quantities from under tarpaulins after hours of log fumigation.

Methyl bromide (CH3Br) is an odourless, colourless gas, used as a pre-shipment (QPS) fumigant pesticide that kills all pests and is extremely toxic to humans.

Human exposure to methyl bromide has potentially serious acute impacts on the central nervous system and internal organs that can be fatal, with a range of neurological effects associated with chronic exposure.

“The fumigation is contradictory to a recent Environment Court decision in relation to Port Nelson which gave strict guidelines for exposure near passenger ships and public space under a ‘capture and destruction’ technology regime,” said Mr Browning. “Capture and destruction is light years ahead in safety than the archaic methods used in Wellington. Wellington releases all gas to air without any filtering or certainty of where the toxin is going.”

“This week’s fumigation does not comply with the Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Air Plan, which states that fumigation is a Permitted Activity as long as it does not cross the boundary. This calls for an immediate abatement notice, however Regional Council staff are hesitating around the risk and are waiting for meaningless monitoring results.”

An air scientist Dr Terry Brady* has said in response to monitoring questions regarding Port Marlborough’s Shakespeare Bay, “The consensus among all air quality practitioners around the world is that computer dispersion modeling is the first step in assessing the possible exposure to an air contaminant. Monitoring may then be employed if it is required…

…The other problem is knowing where to put the monitor at any one time while the wind is moving the plume of MeBr around from one location to the next. Trying to monitor an invisible plume of MeBr with a hand held worker exposure meter is like trying to catch a mosquito with a bird net, completely worthless.”

“Dr Brady has added that even with slightly more sensitive equipment now available, the ability to find the gas plume is not resolved. An expert witness involved with the Port Nelson case has also dismissed monitoring as an unsatisfactory measure of risk,” said Mr Browning.

“This fumigation must be stopped before putting Wellington’s workers, residents and visitors at further risk, and making a mockery of clean green New Zealand’s centre of government.”

“Depending on wind direction and strength, the gas can easily remain concentrated for the less than 1km distance to Parliament, the Courts and surrounds, taking in the Wellington Bus Terminal and Railway Station on the way, or if seaward to any ships or recreationalists in the area. With no air modelling for the Port and casual control by the fumigating company Genera, everybody in the proximity is at risk.”

“Methyl bromide use is limited internationally due to health risks and its serious ozone depleting properties. The recent Environment New Zealand 2007 report skirts around the fact that there has been a more than 300% increase in New Zealand’s use of methyl bromide since 2001. There are satisfactory alternatives to the release of mehyl bromide gas.”

MAF Biosecurity choking on the truth

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Soil & Health is alarmed at the collusion between government agencies that is being displayed in their damage control efforts, following serious breaches of the trial of genetically engineered pine trees near Rotorua.

MAF Biosecurity NZ (MAFBNZ) has just released a report, “MAFBNZ Investigation of Compliance and Monitoring of the Scion GM Field Test,” following the security breach and GE tree cutting at the Rotorua site in early January, and the earlier release of information by Soil & Health in its Organic NZ magazine showing Scion’s non-compliance with the trial’s controls.

“The suggestion that rabbit holes at the Scion GE trees field trial were possibly human-made for publicity purposes goes against the evidence that is available to MAFBNZ or Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) auditing staff,” said Soil & Health spokesperson Steffan Browning. “They should stop pretending that Scion are compliant.”

“Soil & Health has produced clear photographic evidence to both authorities, of well-aged rabbit holes, droppings and all, going under the GE pine trees field trial security and vermin-proof fence (photos attached). The photographs also show the mismanagement of the trees. Because everyone from the Minister down through ERMA and MAFBNZ choose to be complicit with the GE trees experimenter in defending poor compliance, further civil disobedience is predictable as those opposed to genetic engineering have nowhere to turn.”

“The report is consistently misleading and blind to Scion’s shortcomings. It uses innuendo to shoot the messenger and is effectively deceitful. MAFBNZ originally tried covering up Scion’s sloppy management by telling me that Scion had an ERMA amendment to dispose of prunings on site, allowing mulching. Now they suggest that we made an inaccurate claim,” said Mr Browning.

“We had already pointed out the lack of amendment, and now the inspector says that there was no mulching, although acknowledges the prunings had been mown.”

The report says: ‘MAFBNZ issued a minor non-compliance to Scion following notification of this incident, and recommended that a separate area on site be designated for the drying of tree prunings to prevent future mower access. MAFBNZ graded this as a minor incident, because no serious biosecurity risk/threat has resulted, prunings have not been “disposed” of by mulching and incineration is still the intended final disposal method, and staff had taken measures to remedy the situation and ensure it would not occur again.’

“Scion staff had apparently raked up the remaining prunings the day after the security breach was observed, and following Soil & Health’s media release showing Scion’s mismanagement. Retrospectively there is now an ‘agreement’ between complicit ERMA, MAFBNZ and Scion that will allow incineration on site,” said Mr Browning, “Our understanding is that this agreement is illegal. MAF has no jurisdiction: it is the auditor. ERMA is the decision-maker and any change must be a formalised amendment, and to be meaningful should be notified as the community has concerns on how such incineration should take place.”

“The report fails to recommend a wash down facility for equipment for the tractor, mower and other equipment used in the trial. Ironic considering the ‘bath’ (photo attached) that vehicles entering the rest of the (non-GE) Scion facility must drive through. The arrogance that has ERMA, MAFBNZ and Scion assuming that no heritable material can be taken out by rabbits, tractors, footwear etc, perpetuates poor compliance.”

According to the GE trial rules, the pine trees must be hedged at a height of 2 metres, although they are allowed to have a central leader growing up to 5 metres. This is to enable monitoring to stop the release of genetically engineered pollen escaping to the environment and pines of the Rotorua region.

“The inspector has failed to spot the obvious even though Soil & Health have reported that the trees are not being pruned according to the consent. The inspector has chosen to overlook the lack of required hedging at 2 metres high, when reporting that the trees had grown potentially 300 mm in the 3 months ahead of inspection and were apparently no more than 4.8 metres tall. Is there another convenient non-notified ‘agreement’ between the complicit agencies to remove the precaution of hedging at 2 metres?”

“Now a tree that is approaching 6 metres is described as a non-GE ‘filler’ and the report states ‘could mistakenly be concluded to be part of the GM trial itself.’ There are 5 non-GE controls in the trial, but we have never heard of these ‘fillers’ before. In the ramshackle excuse for a shade-house in the trial plot (photo attached), according to Scion’s December 7 report to ERMA, there are apparently 46 cuttings. No cuttings were visible in Soil & Health’s visits, so it must be asked where in the Rotorua environment are these cuttings also reported to have a propensity for producing pollen? Considering the doubts raised by poor compliance, it will be appropriate for Soil & Health to have a copy of the Scion management plan,” says Browning.

“The inspector has gone on to suggest that the rabbit holes we earlier reported were contrived: ‘MAF is still investigating the cause of these holes, and has not ruled out the possibility these were man-made for publicity purposes.’”

“I had supplied the inspector several photos that clearly show the reality of the holes and had a 50 minute interview with her in which I suggested the rabbit burrows could well have been enlarged on the outside of the fence by dogs that are often walked in the area. But the photos clearly show rabbit burrows beyond any enlarged entrances. What is the inspector’s explanation for the sizeable rabbit holes on the inside of the fence at that point, droppings and all, or the rabbits and cat seen within the so-called vermin-proof fence?”

“The MAFBNZ report also states that the outer wire netting fence extends 2 metres below ground. Scion’s reports to ERMA consistently state 1.5 metres although in a report for tangata whenua, Scion have said 2 metres. With rabbits and even a cat, and now protestors having entered the compound, a check of the trial plot’s construction depth is warranted.”

“Honesty in monitoring, reporting and a genuine and full precautionary approach as required by the Royal Commission is imperative in order to minimise the risk of GE contamination of the environment, and may also preclude further civil disobedience.”

Soil & Health is committed to a GE Free future and has a goal of an Organic 2020.

Ends.

Photographs available from Steffan Browning:

* DSCF3680 (2).JPG Vehicle tyre ‘bath’ at Scion compound adjacent to GE trial area that has no equipment wash down facility.
* DSCF3686 (2).JPG 1-11-07 GE trees in centre block. Note tall tree to the right within the block and also ‘shade house’, cuttings not apparent. Prunings lying to front left of GE trees.
* DSCF3689 (2).JPG 1-11-07 Note trees apparently pruned to 4.5 metres 2 weeks before, but no hedging at 2 metres, minimising effectiveness of weekly pollen monitoring.
* DSCF3695 (2).JPG 1-11-07 Note trees as reported by Scion to ERMA 07 December 07 as healthy and growing normally.
* DSCF3696 (2).JPG 1-11-07 Saplings reported to have been cut down in security breach. Reported 07-12-07 as healthy.
* DSCF3707 (2).JPG 1-11-07 Rabbit hole outside perimeter fence possibly enlarged by dogs. Deeper than arms length.
* DSCF3710 (2).JPG 1-11-07 Rabbit hole inside fence adjacent to others outside. Note size, activity level and droppings top right.
* DSCF3713 (2).JPG 1-11-07 Steffan Browning at holes. Right hand indicating hole from photo #10. Two main entrances on both sides of fence.

Organic farming is the clean green solution

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Organic farming is the truly sustainable solution to our dirty record in agriculture, says the Soil and Health Association, in response to the recently released 2007 State of the Environment Report.

“It is imperative that we improve our environmental record in agriculture, so we can live up to our clean and green image, improve our waterways, soils, human and animal health, and also reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” says Soil and Health spokesman, Steffan Browning. “A lot of damage has been done, but we’re offering the solution. The way to make our farming truly sustainable is to go organic, and we need to grab this opportunity immediately with both hands.”

“There are increasing numbers of farmers out there showing that organic production methods are good for the environment, for animal and human health, and for the bank balance. Thanks to the Green Party’s agreement with the government, funding for the Organic Advisory Programme is giving a helping hand to farmers interested in converting to organics.”

Due to natural fertilising regimes, organically farmed soil holds onto nitrogen, virtually eliminating run-off into waterways. Soil structure is improved under organic systems, providing greater drought and flood resistance, and minimising erosion. Under organic systems, soil biology is healthier, and there is greater biodiversity.

Organic farming also offers a way of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. The soil in organic production systems sequesters more carbon than that in conventional farming. Also, no synthetic oil-based fertilisers are used.

Demand for organic food is growing exponentially as consumers seek out produce that is residue-free, tasty and nutritious.

Soil and Health urges the government to encourage farmers to go organic, by increasing funding to help farmers convert, and setting an initial target of 10% organic production by 2012.

The Association encourages farmers and home growers alike to introduce organic practices, and has a vision of New Zealand being completely organic by 2020.

Wellington’s methyl bromide log fumigation must stop immediately

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The Soil & Health Association is appalled that large volumes of highly toxic methyl bromide gas from fumigation of export logs is being vented across Wellington’s Westpac stadium, cruise ships, ferries, Marae, schools, Wellington Railway Station, and Parliament Buildings.

Methyl bromide (CH3Br) is an odourless, colourless gas, used as a pre-shipment (QPS) fumigant pesticide that kills all pests and is extremely toxic to humans.

Human exposure to methyl bromide has potentially serious acute impacts on the central nervous system and internal organs that can be fatal, with a range of neurological effects associated with chronic exposure.

“Last week’s export log fumigation, just through the fence from busy Waterloo Quay, and less than 100 metres from Westpac Stadium, was completed just ahead of the Sevens, but the gas is being released across the public and workers in an uncoordinated and reckless way,” said Soil & Health spokesperson Steffan Browning. “Cruise ships with up to 1200 passengers have been berthed just metres from log fumigation.”

“When I observed fumigation last week, there were absolutely no warning notices, and car and rail traffic flow into Wellington is not halted as the fumigant is released for dispersal. Dispersal follows hours of fumigation, by tarpaulins being towed off log stacks or containers.”

“Depending on wind direction, in the relatively calm conditions experienced last Thursday, the gas could easily have remained concentrated for the less than 1km distance to Parliament, the Courts and surrounds, taking in the Wellington Bus Terminal and Railway Station on the way. With no air modelling for the Port and casual control by the fumigators Genera, everybody in the proximity is at risk.”

“Methyl bromide use is limited internationally due to health risks and its serious ozone depleting properties, and last weeks Environment New Zealand 2007 report skirts around the fact that there has been a more than 300% increase in New Zealand’s use of methyl bromide since 2001.”

“Huge increases of ozone depleting methyl bromide to the atmosphere, makes a mockery of clean green New Zealand’s commitment to the Montreal Protocol, the international agreement on reducing Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Not having a phase out strategy for methyl bromide makes forestry’s environmental footprint unsustainable.”

“Last week the Environment Court released an Interim Decision specifying very strict controls on fumigation at Port Nelson. Such controls extrapolated to Wellington would mean that fumigation so close to the public would need to be carried out in containment with ‘capture and destruction’ technology, not the reckless she’ll be right approach taken around the country at present,” said Mr Browning.

“Following Soil & Health and Guardians of the Sounds investigating the lack of precaution at Port Shakespeare, Picton, fumigation has stopped there and export logs from that Port are currently headed to Tauranga for fumigation. However the same fumigation company, Genera, is also the operator in Tauranga, and following alarming statistics of motor neurone disease among Nelson Port workers, much stricter controls including fumigant capture technology must be implemented around the country.”

Failure in GE tree reporting may bring tears to Crop & Food’s onion trial

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State-owned GE tree researcher Scion has been negligent in its reporting, as has GE trial auditor MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, and the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) may have been complicit in this, the Soil & Health Association has discovered.

Scion’s annual report to ERMA has been presented online recently*, but although all previous annual reports record that rabbits have been present and destroyed, the December 2007 report has no mention of rabbits, and for the first time reporting began is now presented as (Public Version).

“Soil & Health is keen to see the genuine unsanitised version, as presented to ERMA ahead of the recent Rotorua GE tree field trial breach. ERMA insist the report is unchanged, but a ‘Public Version’ on the heels of public criticism must be treated with scepticism,” said Soil & Health spokesperson Steffan Browning.

“Every preceding year, Scion has reported rabbit problems and stated that ‘in any event they could not get out as the fence was buried 1.5metres. Soil & Health in its last Organic NZ magazine, ran a report with photos of the rabbit problem and has also questioned other aspects of compliance.”

“Scion had not pruned all trees according to consent conditions and is now mulching prunings on site, then without a washdown facility is removing GE plant material on mowing equipment to other research and forest areas, and the wider environment.”

“MAF Biosecurity New Zealand had suggested that ERMA had granted an amendment to Scion to allow disposal on site, but such an amendment has not occurred and Scion are in clear breach of conditions by mulch mowing prunings, and MAF had failed again by not addressing the issue.”

Scion Acting chief executive Elspeth MacRae recently said that genes involved with the research would not pose a danger to the outside environment, as the genes were sourced from naturally occurring New Zealand organisms.

However Soil & Health National Councillor and ex Crop & Food GE researcher, Dr Elvira Dommisse said, “That does not mean that the same gene which has been genetically engineered into another species in an artificial gene construction will be harmless. This is the sort of misleading comment we get from some GE scientists. It is in part true, but we cannot conclude from this that all is well.”

“In its genetically engineered form, the gene is no longer under the control of its own DNA. It is jammed into a complicated construct made up of bits of DNA from a number of different organisms. This means the gene is always switched on and is engineered to produce large amounts of a protein that pine trees don’t make. The cellular machinery of a pine tree may produce a protein that is different from the original bacterial protein. Such an altered protein could be harmful.”

“This has already happened in genetically engineered peas, when a harmless bean protein became a toxin when engineered into the closely related pea,” said Dr Dommisse.

“Scions December report also states that all of the trees in one tree experiment are healthy and growing normally. Photographs available to Soil & Health show that is not necessarily the case with some trees having significant die-back,” said Mr Browning.

“Soil & Health would like to see a site plan showing controls and GE trees. The other tree experiment reported does not claim normal growth and photographs show abnormal growth.”

“MAF have also overlooked ERMA’s control condition of limiting the Scion trees to be hedged at 2 metres with just a central leader reaching 5 metres. However the trees are hedged nearer 5 metres with a few taller limbs. Pruning controls are to reduce the chance of GE pollen escape and with these tall bushy trees will be difficult to ensure no flowering occurs.”

“Consistent failures of auditing by MAF show reason to also be concerned at the hundreds of GE experiments in New Zealand universities, crown research institutes and laboratory containment.”

“Crop & Food GE onion researcher Colin Eady was crowing about developing a tearless onion, but with poor performance by all agencies involved with genetic engineering, and the public disdain at risky GE foods, Mr Eady will be wise to listen to farmer calls for New Zealand to be GE Free,” said Mr Browning.

“Crop & Food has already broken consent conditions to its GE onion trial and with MAF and ERMA consistently failing in their GE overview. Any tolerance for the GE trials of onions, brassicas, cows and trees is running out.”

“Producers and consumers share the desire for an economy based on the clean green environment that New Zealand’s discerning markets are looking to. Mr Eady will have no tears if Crop & Food’s research focuses on natural breeding techniques and extends its valuable organic research.”

Soil & Health is committed to GE free food and environment and aspires to an Organic 2020.

Note *Scion Annual Report to ERMA, 2007 Annual Report GMF99001 & GMF99005 (PUBLIC VERSION)