The organic community mourns Jeanette Fitzsimons

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6 March 2020

The Soil & Health Association expresses deep condolences to the family
and friends of Jeanette Fitzsimons. Among Jeanette’s many roles, she was
a patron of Soil & Health for several years.

“Jeanette gave wise counsel and was a champion for the organic cause,”
said Marion Wood, chair of Soil & Health. “She lived her values by
farming organically with her husband Harry Parke.”

Over the years Jeanette and Harry hosted hundreds volunteers on the farm
through the WWOOF scheme, including Organic NZ editor Philippa Jamieson.

Ever practical, Jeanette also wrote articles for Organic NZ including
one on gorse control, and letters to the editor.

Soil & Health and the Organic NZ team are thinking of Harry and family
at this sad time.

Media contact: Philippa Jamieson, editor, Organic NZ, 027 547 3929

Community Support for a GE free Waikato – submissions needed by Monday 22nd January 2018

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The Soil & Health Association is encouraging the Waikato District Council to adopt precautionary provisions in the Waikato District Plan for any genetically engineered organisms that may be trialled or commercially produced.

The plan as currently drafted fails to regulate, or make any mention at all of GMOs.

“We want to ensure that the Council adequately protects the district from the significant adverse effects posed by GMO use by including strong precautionary GMO policies and rules into its District Plan,” says Soil & Health National Council member Marion Thomson.

“We call on the Waikato District Council to follow the lead of the other councils around New Zealand that have already adopted precautionary provisions and banned the outdoor release of GMOs via their local policy statements and plans,” says Marion Thomson.

“Provisions in the Waikato District Plan should be the same or similar to those in the Auckland Unitary Plan to ensure a consistent approach across Auckland and the Waikato and eliminate cross boundary issues,” says Thomson.

Auckland Council, Far North District Council and Whangarei District Council have all prohibited the outdoor release of GMOs and made field trials a discretionary activity with performance standards regarding liability and the posting of bonds.

GMOs threaten the economic sustainability of a wide range of agricultural activities that benefit from having GE-free status. This includes the many organic operations in the Waikato District, as well as non-organic dairy, forestry, honey, horticulture and other producers.

GE animal trials have been undertaken at AgResearch’s Ruakura research centre for several years, making the potential for GE escape or contamination of ongoing concern to Waikato residents.

“New Zealand has already seen several GE field trials breach the conditions of approval. No matter how carefully conditions are crafted, there inevitably remains a risk that they may be breached by poor management, human error, natural events such as severe storms or even sabotage,” says Thomson.

Current laws are inadequate to properly protect communities from the potential adverse effects of GE. There is no provision under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act for financial liability for GMO contamination resulting from the release of an approved GMO, meaning those people or companies responsible for causing harm may not be held liable.

Once GMOs have been released into the environment, they would be very difficult if not impossible to eradicate. In the case of a food product, the GE-free status of a district would likely be lost permanently, along with the market advantages of that status.

Fortunately, under the RMA, requirements for bonds for remediation and to cover the costs of contamination can be included in district plans if local councils choose to implement them.

The Proposed Draft Waikato District Plan is now open for feedback, and Soil & Health is calling on Waikato residents to express support for precautionary and prohibitive GMO provisions, policies, and rules.

Submissions close on Monday 22nd January at 5pm.

Submission Template on Draft Waikato District Plan

Media contact

Marion Thomson, Soil & Health National Council

027 555 4014

GE Free from the Bombays to Cape Reinga

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GE Free Northland and the Soil & Health Association are celebrating the Far North and Whangarei District Councils’ decisions to retain precautionary and prohibitive genetically modified organisms (GMOs) provisions in their new District Plans.  This follows Auckland Council’s recent decision to retain similar precautionary and prohibitive GMO provisions in the new Unitary Plan.  The result of which is a GE Free northern peninsula from the Bombay Hills to Cape Reinga.

Whangarei District councilors voted unanimously last week to protect the community, local economy, and environment from the risks of outdoor uses of GMOs.  Their neighbours in the Far North voted a week earlier to introduce similar rules to their District Plan.

“These decisions, and our recent victory in the High Court, represent a huge win for Northland.  Our elected representatives are to be congratulated for their tenacity and commitment in supporting the aspirations of their constituents and protecting our biosecurity,” said Martin Robinson, spokesperson for GE Free Northland.

In June this year, GE Free Northland together with the Soil & Health Association gathered a panel of expert witnesses, mana whenua, and community representatives, to present evidence to the independent commissioners at the councils’ hearings on GMOs.  Both groups offered strong support for the District councils’ proposed precautionary approach to outdoor GE experiments, strict liability provisions, and outright ban on the release of GMOs.

“This is necessary because of serious deficiencies in the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO Act).  Government agencies have a poor track record in containing outdoor GE experiments, and the law has very limited liability provisions for damage” said Soil & Health Chair Marion Thomson.  “The GMO policies they have now adopted are a sophisticated, collaborative, and fiscally prudent response.”

For more than a decade the Far North District and Whangarei District Councils have worked with the Auckland and Northland Regional Councils to plot a path that works for farmers, the wider community, and the environment.  The councils’ decisions to adopt the independent commissioners’ recommendations help protect the Northland region’s GM Free status, biosecurity, economy, and environment by requiring additional local protections that are not required by the national regulator, the Environmental Protection Authority, under the HSNO Act, with an outright prohibition of release of GMOs.

“Environment Minister Nick Smith has tried to portray local bodies as anti-science and anti-progress.  His claims are untrue, unjustly attempting to denigrate the robust course that our councils have charted,” said GE Free Northland’s Chair Zelka Grammer.

Despite the minister’s statements, the global Non-GMO food market is currently valued at US$250 billion, and trends show this is only going to grow.  It is clear that New Zealand producers benefit from access to this huge non-GMO market.

Soil & Health and GE Free Northland combined represent more than 10,000 members and supporters, including primary producers and consumers, both organic and conventional, who want to avoid genetically modified organisms and products made from them.

CONTACT

Marty Robinson

Spokesperson, GE Free Northland

022 136 9619

Marion Thomson

Chair, Soil & Health Association

027 555 4015

Zelka Linda Grammer

Chair, GE Free Northland

022 309 5039

Merger Council

Landmark merger a win-win for organic sector

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The organic community celebrated the landmark merger of two long-established charitable organisations yesterday. Members of the Soil & Health Association of NZ Inc and the New Zealand Biological Producers and Consumers Society Inc (BioGro Society) voted in favour of the proposal. This means that the Society will transfer its assets to Soil & Health, on winding up on 30 September.

 

The merger brings together the skills and resources of the two charities into one strong, unified organic sector body.

 

Soil & Health will become the proud new owner of BioGro NZ Ltd, New Zealand’s largest organic certification agency. This will empower Soil & Health to carry out its vital education and advocacy work for healthy soil, healthy food and healthy people.

 

BioGro NZ Ltd will remain a separate company.  It retains its own board of directors and independence as a company, with the excellent reputation it has built up over 33 years.

 

“It’s time to get really serious about lifting organics to the next level,” said Gaz Ingram, chair of BioGro Society. “Organic needs to become the new normal. It offers clean, green and practical solutions to many of our current problems, including environmental, health and climate change issues. The refreshed organisation will promote these with renewed vigour.”

 

“If we and future generations are going to survive and thrive, we urgently need to shift to producing food and other products that are organic, high value, safe, sustainable, GE-free and ethical,” said Marion Thomson, co-chair of Soil & Health. “By joining together we combine our strengths in leadership and governance, authenticity, public good advocacy, and commitment to healthy organic food and farming.”

 

The Soil & Health Association retains its name, as does BioGro NZ Ltd. Soil & Health’s flagship magazine Organic NZ will continue to be a strong and independent media voice for all things organic: food, gardening, farming and lifestyles.

 

Media contacts
Marion Thomson
Co-chair, Soil & Health Association
027 555 4014

 

Gaz Ingram
Chair, BioGro Society
027 511 8097

 

BACKGROUND NOTES

  1. The Soil & Health Association is the largest membership organisation supporting organic food and farming in New Zealand. In 2016 it celebrates its 75th anniversary. Soil & Health was founded in 1941 as the Humic Compost Club by New Zealanders who were concerned about degraded soils, increasing refined foods, and the links of both of these with declining nutrition.
    It promotes sustainable agricultural practices and principles of good health based on sound nutrition and the motto ‘Healthy soil – healthy food – healthy people’. Soil & Health’s magazine Organic NZ goes out to members and to the public via retail outlets six times a year.
    www.organicnz.org.nz

 

  1. The New Zealand Biological Producers and Consumers Society was formed in 1983 by Soil & Health, the Biodynamic Association and the Henry Doubleday Research Association, who all saw the need for a credible and internationally respected organic standard and certification process, in order to safeguard the interests of producers and consumers.
    BioGro NZ Ltd (a company owned by the BioGro Society) is the premier organic certification agency in New Zealand. It certifies and accredits over 600 producers in New Zealand and the Pacific, is accredited to IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) and has an excellent reputation with domestic and export markets.
    www.biogro.co.nz
margeret jones

Honouring the Warrior Queen of Organics

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One of New Zealand’s oldest advocates of organics, Marguerite Jones, has died at the age of 95.

 

Famous for wearing her ‘Don’t panic, go organic!’ sign at stalls and expos, and always resplendent in vibrant, colour-coordinated outfits, this feisty woman has been an inspiration to many and was a living example of a healthy lifestyle through good diet and nutrition.

 

Marguerite was a founding member of the Soil & Health Association (publisher of Organic NZ), having joined the organisation at its first meeting in 1941, when it was called the Humic Compost Club. For decades she tirelessly promoted organics, natural health and good animal welfare by sharing wisdom, common sense and laughter in her forthright style.

 

“Others get awarded honours and yet have poisoned Aotearoa,” said Steffan Browning, Green MP and former spokesperson for Soil & Health. “Marguerite was a champion to the end – not seeking acclamation or reward, but driven for the health of present and future generations.”

 

“Marguerite was a tenacious leader who was so loved for the strength of her convictions,” said Brendan Hoare, chief executive of Organics Aotearoa and a former president of Soil & Health. “For the right and just cause, she embodied the meaning of relentlessness; always in support, never giving in, always grounded in the daily practice of health (starting with her garden) and wellbeing for herself and those around her.”

 

Marguerite grew up on a farm in the Manawatu that supplied her family with fresh vegetables, eggs, raw milk and butter. A life-long gardener, she credited her good health to fresh organic food. She shunned pharmaceuticals, preferring nature’s medicine cabinet and, until the last few months of her life, had never taken antibiotics.

 

In 2002 Marguerite was made a life member of the Soil & Health Association, and was the Association’s patron from 2004–2006. She also campaigned for improved animal welfare and was a founding member of the New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society.Organic NZ will include an obituary and memories of Marguerite in its September/October issue.

 

Marguerite Jones passed away peacefully at her home in West Auckland on Monday 20 June. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday. Soil & Health offers condolences to her family and friends.

 

More information about Marguerite’s life:

http://www.feedmeright.co.nz/pdf/ONZ_Nov_Dec11MargretJones.pdf

 

Legal Team

Together we can keep Aotearoa GE-free!

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One of the world’s oldest organic organisations is now using crowdfunding to help keep New Zealand’s valuable GE-free status.

 

The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand, founded in 1941, has just launched a Givealittle page to appeal for donations from a wide range of Kiwis who want a clean, green, GE-free Aotearoa.

 

Recently, Soil & Health has been defending the rights of councils to control the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their regions under the Resource Management Act.

 

Soil & Health’s new Givealittle page will help Kiwis contribute towards the costs involved in the High Court case held in Whangarei in February 2016. Soil & Health joined with others in the High Courtto protect Northland Regional Council’s ability to decide whether or not GMOs are released or field-trialled in Northland and, if so, whether any conditions should be placed on them. Soil & Health anticipates similar court cases in the future, so is also seeking funds now in preparation for these.

 

Any donations or financial support would be greatly appreciated and can be made viahttps://givealittle.co.nz/cause/soilandhealthstandagainstge.

Together we CAN keep Aotearoa GE-free!

 

 

For more information on the court case, visit: https://soilandhealth.org.nz/node/1102

For more information and GE and GMOs, visit: https://soilandhealth.org.nz/node/571

Cutting Organic Cake

Celebrating 75 years of organics in NZ

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Cutting an organic cake at Parliament today marked the 75th anniversary of the Soil & Health Association, one of the world’s oldest organic organisations. The cake ceremony was a highlight of the launch of the OANZ 2016 New Zealand Organic Market Report.

 

“We’re so proud to be part of a movement that is championing healthy soil, healthy food and healthy people,” said Marion Thomson, co-chair of Soil & Health.

 

According to the Organic Market Report, two out of every three Kiwis are buying organic products. The organic sector in New Zealand has grown by 11% per annum every year since 2012, being driven by consumer demand, which is outstripping supply. Organic grocery sales through supermarkets have increased by 127% since 2012.

 

“More and more people are looking for organic food, which gives assurance that it is safe, healthy, environmentally conscious and GE-free,” said Marion Thomson.

 

“The report is a powerful validation of the growing strength of organics when it comes to Soil & Health’s legal cases, as we defend the rights of communities via their councils to retain the right to be GE-free, or determine the use of any outdoor GMOs in their areas,” she said.

 

The Soil & Health Association has, since it was founded in 1941, promoted organic gardening and farming methods, healthy food and good nutrition. It is the largest organic membership organisation in New Zealand, and publishes Organic NZ magazine.

GE-free Activists

New wave of GE-free activism

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Pressure from the biotech industry for the government to relax laws on genetic engineering will result in a new wave of GE-free activism, the Soil & Health Association predicts.

This follows comments from some GE companies, and from the Treasury Secretary Gabriel Makhlouf in a speech at Fieldays that New Zealand is missing out on opportunities.

“Kiwis have fought hard to keep our environment GE-free, but if that is threatened, we will see massive protests,” says Marion Thomson, co-chair of Soil & Health. “GE farming and/or forestry will jeopardise our clean, green brand.”

Relaxing the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act would be absolutely detrimental to our environment, our economy and to our communities. Experiences overseas have shown that GE crops have led to the rise of herbicide-tolerant ‘superweeds’, and the use of more and stronger pesticides. GE yields are no greater. In the USA and Europe, pig farmers using GE stock feed are seeing health problems and deformities in piglets, and finding that the pigs cannot breed; instead of a fetus there is just a sac of water.

“The trouble is that genetic engineering is inherently risky. Scientists cannot control where inserted genetic material ends up in the DNA,” says Thomson. “This can lead to unexpected outcomes. For example, many people are allergic to the pine pollen that is widespread around New Zealand, but imagine if GE pine pollen turned out to be even more allergenic, or even toxic?”

“Millions of taxpayer dollars have already been spent on GE field trials, with no positive results to date,” says Thomson. “Rather than go down the GE road, New Zealand has a great opportunity to keep our point of difference. Let’s ensure that we live up to our clean, green image and shift towards high-value, environmentally sustainable, GE-free organic farming and forestry. This is what markets around the world are crying out for.”

Media contact

Marion Thomson, co-chair, Soil & Health

027 555 4014

advocacy@organicnz.org.nz

REFERENCES

http://earthopensource.org/gmomythsandtruths/ – GMO Myths and Truths – an evidence-based document by two genetic engineers and a researcher

Pig farming references:

http://sustainablepulse.com/2012/04/24/pulse-news-2/

http://sustainablepulse.com/2012/07/06/agribusiness-farmer-loses-biz-gmos-promotes-organic/#.VX9FF6ats7A

RMA reforms undermine communities and the environment

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“Proposed changes to the Resource Management Act, announced last week by Environment Minister Amy Adams, could result in ratepayers picking up the tab for industry damaging our environment. This is highly immoral and undemocratic,” says Debbie Swanwick, Spokesperson, Soil & Health – Organic NZ.

Councils have a responsibility to ensure that ratepayers are protected against risk and liability.

“Removing this ability undermines local bodies and makes central government all powerful,” says Swanwick.

The proposed changes to Part 2 of the RMA lower environmental standards. The Resource Management Act is both a planning tool and an environmental protection mechanism.

“The reforms provide a pathway for the former compromising the later,” says Swanwick.

It has been suggested that an application for the release of GE ryegrass in New Zealand may be filed this year.

“This is of most concern with regard to the RMA reforms as the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act requires neither a bond to be paid nor compensation for immediate or future loss to the social, economical, environmental or cultural wellbeing of our communities as a result of GMOs. Should the RMA proposals become law, alongside a weak HSNO Act, ratepayers will be left to pay for what should be the responsibility of industry,” says Swanwick.

Soil & Health is one of the oldest organic organisations in the world and advocates for the consumer’s right to have fresh, healthy, organic food and water free of GE, pesticides and additives and their right to know what is in their food and water. Oranga nuku, oranga kai, oranga tangata. To learn more about what is really in your food subscribe to their Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/OrganicNZ

To view online click here www.organicnz.org.nz/node/712

ENDS

References

1) http://beehive.govt.nz/release/major-reform-resource-management-system
2) http://press.gefree.org.nz/press/20130811.htm

3) http://community.scoop.co.nz/2013/08/governments-announcement-on-rma-ref…

4) http://www.3news.co.nz/Cows-fed-super-grass-could-produce-more-milk/tabi…

Saving the bees means saving ourselves

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“Europe’s decision to ban neonicotinoids was a good day for bees. We need to follow this lead and ban systemic pesticides that are killing our bees,” says Debbie Swanwick, Spokesperson, Soil & Health – Organic NZ.

In April 2013 Europe placed a two-year ban on three neonicotinoids – a systemic pesticide that permeates every cell of a plant and makes it poisonous. Birds, earthworms and other wildlife are thought to be affected too.

This class of pesticide is not limited to agricultural and farm use but is also found in many pesticide products used in the home and by pest professionals.
“Humanity is hugely dependent on bees for our food, and we poison them at our peril,” says Swanwick. “We urgently need to switch to sustainable, organic farming methods that are kind to bees, to us, and to the whole ecosystem.”

Bees pollinate 75% of food crops, and in New Zealand 430,000 hives contribute $5 billion to the economy from crop and clover production.

The United Nations Environment Program released a report in 2011 indicating a “sixth major extinction” of biological diversity is currently underway, caused by habitat loss, pollution, pest invasion, and disease, leading to ecosystem havoc.

“Bee populations are in decline worldwide. In the UK alone honeybee populations have halved in the past twenty five years. This could take us on a journey to a destination we never thought possible and one worthy of a Darwin award. The harsh reality is that humans may be responsible for our own extinction because we didn’t fight hard enough for our survival,” says Swanwick.

Consumers can avoid GE, pesticides and additives in their food by buying certified organic produce. In New Zealand that is labelled as BioGro, AsureQuality, OrganicFarmNZ and Demeter.

Soil & Health is one of the oldest organic organisations in the world and advocates for the consumer’s right to have fresh, healthy, organic food and water free of GE, pesticides and additives and their right to know what is in their food and water. Oranga nuku, oranga kai, oranga tangata. To learn more about what is really in your food subscribe to their Facebook Page and subscribe http://www.facebook.com/OrganicNZ

To view online click here www.organicnz.org.nz/node/623

References

(1) http://bbe-tech.com/bees/2012/04/03/know-your-neo-nicotinoids/

(2) http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/35355/title/Europe…

(3) http://www.unep.org/dewa/Portals/67/pdf/Global_Bee_Colony_Disorder_and_T…

(4) http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/304525

(5) http://bees-decline.org/

(6) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/9160366/Honeybee-decline-blam…

 

Image:
Honeycomb Bees