Submission on Proposed Regional Plan for Northland

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Introduction

  1. The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand Inc. (“Soil & Health”) is a charitable society registered under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908. It is the largest membership organization supporting organic food and farming in New Zealand and is one of the oldest organic organisations in the world, established in 1941. Soil & Health’s objectives are to promote sustainable organic agricultural practices and the principles of good health based on sound nutrition and the maxim: “Healthy soil, healthy food, healthy people”. Its membership is chiefly composed of home gardeners and consumers, organic farmers and growers, secondary producers, retailers and restaurateurs. Soil & Health publishes the bi-monthly ‘Organic NZ’ magazine – New Zealand’s leading organics magazine.
  2. Soil & Health makes this submission on the Proposed Regional Plan for Northland (“Proposed Plan”) requesting that it include policies and provisions relating to the management of genetically modified organisms (“GMOs”), as allowed under the Resource Management Act 1991 (“RMA”) and pursuant to the ruling in Federated Farmers of New Zealand v Northland Regional Council.
  3. Soil & Health further requests that amendments be made to the agrichemical section of the Proposed Plan to better protect people and the environment from the adverse effects of pesticides. A holistic approach to land and water use is required if land is to retain its productive capacity, and fresh water and marine habitats are to be restored. Agrichemical rules and policies must take special account of glyphosate use and other pesticide use in the region.
  4. Soil & Health wish to be heard in support of our submission.

    5. Genetically Modified Organisms
    Background

  5. Significant gaps exist in the law around GMOs in New Zealand. In the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (‘HSNO Act’) there are inadequate liability provisions (e.g. ‘polluter pays’) for any unintended or unforeseen adverse impacts resulting from the outdoor release of an approved GE crop or animal, meaning those causing harm may not be held liable. There is no mandatory requirement for the Environmental Protection Authority (‘EPA’) to take a precautionary approach to the outdoor use of GMOs.
  6. Due to these gaps in the law, the Inter-council Working Party on GMO Risk Evaluation and Management Options was establish and as a result a number of councils around New Zealand have been moving to protect their primary producers and communities by introducing precautionary or prohibitive policies. Auckland Council, Far North District Council and Whangarei District Council have all included provisions in their planning documents to regulate the outdoor use of genetically modified organisms. All three councils have prohibited the release of GMOs on land and made field trials a discretionary activity with performance standards in regards to liability and the posting of bonds. Auckland Council (as a Unitary Authority) has also prohibited the release of GMOs in the Coastal Marine Area (‘CMA’) and made field trials within the CMA a discretionary activity with performance standards in regards to liability and the posting of bonds.
  7. The Regional Policy Statement (‘RPS’) for Northland contains provisions relating to GMOs. These provisions are not yet operative. However, they are likely to require a precautionary approach to outdoor uses of GMOs.
  8. To maintain consistency with other member councils on the Inter-council Working Party and in anticipation of operative precautionary provisions in the RPS it is submitted that NRC should include provisions relating to GMOs in the CMA in its Proposed Regional Plan for Northland. These provisions should be the same (or similar) as those in the Auckland Unitary Plan to ensure a consistent approach across Northland and Auckland and eliminate cross boundary issues.

    9. The Law

  9. Soil & Health was a party to Federated Farmers of New Zealand v Northland Regional Council.
  10. That decision ruled that local councils have the power under the RMA to control the use of GMOs via their regional planning instruments.
  11. That decision has recently been upheld by the High Court.
  12. Soil & Health therefore considers that there is jurisdiction for Northland Regional Council (‘NRC’) to make provision for objectives, policies, rules and other planning tools in relation to GMOs under the Proposed Plan.

    13. Integrated Management

  13. GMO proposals require approval from the EPA under the HSNO Act.
  14. The HSNO Act consenting process gives particular attention to the technical aspects of managing individual proposals. However, it does not involve:
    1. consideration of the geographic distribution of GMO projects;
    2. consideration of the need to geographically protect areas of particular value from GMO activities, such as sensitive farming practices (including organic farming, also all farming and forestry relying on a GE-free status, beekeeping etc.);
    3. consideration of the preferences of a community; or
    4. integration of the management of natural and physical resources, and the effects of GMO activities on natural and physical resources, on a geographic basis.
  15. The HSNO Act does not, therefore, provide a planning framework through which GMOs can be geographically, spatially or culturally managed in an integrated manner.
  16. The RMA establishes a regime whereby local authorities are called upon to prepare policy and plans to implement sustainable management on a geographic basis through the use of integrated management of natural and physical resources at a regional level, and integrated management of effects on the environment at a district level.
  17. Consideration of the location and distribution of proposals involving GMOs on a district basis, together with protection of rural resources for organic, biodynamic or GE-free farming, forestry, marine farming, beekeeping or other primary production, are important resource management matters for consideration by territorial authorities in carrying out their functions under the RMA.

    18. Potential Adverse Effects of GMOs

  18. The outdoor use of GMOs has a potential to cause significant adverse effects on the environment. Adverse effects could include (inter alia):
    1. biological or ecosystem harm;
    2. harm to other existing or potential forms of land use including:
      1. organic farming (including organic certification and the requirement to be GMO free); and
      2. farming, forestry, beekeeping, marine farming and other primary production activities dependent on an uncontaminated environmental brand.
  19. GMOs have the potential to adversely affect ecological, economic, and resource management values, and the social and cultural wellbeing of people, communities and tangata whenua.
  20. Application of integrated management and a precautionary approach to GMOs under the RMA is the best available technique for managing the potential adverse effects posed by GMOs within the region.

    21. Sustainable Management and Part II

  21. It is consistent with the sustainable management purpose and Part II of the RMA to establish regional plan provisions (e.g. issues, objectives, policies, rules and methods) that manage the release, location and management of GMOs where they have the potential to adversely affect the environment other land use activities.

    22. Decision Sought regarding GMOs

  22. The decision Soil & Health seeks from NRC is that the Proposed Plan be amended to include the following:
  23. Strong precautionary, restrictive and/or prohibitive GMO provisions in the ‘Tangata whenua’ section of the Proposed Plan which address tangata whenua opposition to outdoor use of GMOs and/or their products and specific concerns about the risks of GMOs to indigenous biodiversity, and keeps with the wording in the RPS as relates to tangata whenua.
  24. To include GMO provisions in the ‘Coastal’ and ‘Coastal activities’ sections of the Proposed Plan that are the same as in the Auckland Unitary Plan, that being to adopt a precautionary approach to the management of GMOs by:
  25. prohibiting the outdoor release of a GMO in the Coastal space; and
  26. making outdoor field-testing a discretionary activity in the Coastal space; and
  27. including performance standards in regard to liability and the posting of bonds.
  28. To include GMO provisions in the ‘Land & water’ and the ‘Discharges to land and water’ sections of the Proposed Plan that avoids toxic discharges to land and water from GMOs, thereby avoiding transgenic contamination of soils and waterways and adverse impacts on GE-free primary producers. We note that the vectors for transgenic contamination include soils, seeds, pollen, insects, machinery, water, plus human error.
  29. To adopt a resource management framework for the management of GMOs that is regional specific taking into account environmental, economic and social well-being considerations.
  30. To address and support the Far North District Council, Whangarei District Council and Auckland Council’s opposition to outdoor use of GMOs.
  31. Soil & Health considers that it is important that there is consistency between the Auckland Unitary Plan and the Regional Plan for Northland, thereby eliminating cross boundary issues.

    32. Agrichemicals
    Introduction

  32. Soil & Health is opposed to the use of harmful pesticides in Aotearoa New Zealand. As an organisation we advocate for farmers and growers to adopt natural, organic, non-harmful methods of pest and disease management. We believe that researchers, farmers and growers should be encouraged to develop and implement nonchemical alternatives to pesticides that foster soil microbial life instead of destroying it. Central and local government should promote and support farmers and growers to transition to more sustainable and environmentally friendly methods of farming and land use while also ensuring that regulations are in place to sufficiently protect people, communities and the environment from the adverse effects of pesticides.
  33. Numerous independent scientific studies have raised serious concerns about the effects that pesticides have on human health and the environment. There is a real risk of people living in rural communities, close to where commercial horticulture takes place, who may be exposed to spray drift. Young children are especially vulnerable as they often play outdoors and in the fields. Children at school can be subjected to pesticide exposures from nearby operations. A number of studies have linked exposure to pesticide drift to chronic conditions in children such as autism spectrum disorders and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
  34. Organic farmers and producers are also at risk. Environmental chemical pollution threatens the long-term viability of organic producers sourcing water for livestock and food production. Organic farmers become exposed when input quality cannot be assured. Water is the major input in agriculture.
  35. New Zealand currently applies an excessive amount of pesticides to soils. The Food and Agriculture Organization’s statistics database advises that in 2014 US$20,481,292.00 worth of pesticides were sold in New Zealand. This list doesn’t include hazardous pesticides like atrazine, which are sold here but are unauthorized in Europe. Herbicides accounted for nearly 50% of these sales.

    36. Gylphosate

  36. Of the many chemicals currently approved for use in New Zealand by the EPA of most concern is glyphosate, commonly known as Roundup. It is sprayed down most New Zealand roads, through our forestry plantations, and on most agricultural land.
  37. Glyphosate is a biocide meaning it has multiple pathways of toxicity. Glyphosate damages gut bacteria, beneficial species are vulnerable but pathogenic bacteria are resistant, it harms the immune system, has been demonstrated to impact serotonin production, is endocrine disrupting and neurotoxic. As a patented antibiotic, it may affect antibiotic resistance. Leaky gut syndrome is a particularly insidious and unpleasant consequence that is affecting increasing numbers of people.
  38. It is expected that the biggest users of glyphosate in New Zealand are forestry, agriculture, New Zealand Transport Agency and local councils. However the EPA doe not exactly know how much glyphosate is being used. In an Official Information Act release dated 16 June, an EPA Communications Advisor wrote: “We often get asked by journalists about the volume or extent of glyphosate use (which we can’t answer).”
  39. After more than 40 years of prolific global use, glyphosate was recently identified by the World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer as a ‘probable human carcinogen.’ Many countries are proactively applying the precautionary approach and are restricting, and in some cases completely banning, the use of glyphosate. These countries include the United Kingdom, most northern European countries, France, Spain, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Bermuda and parts of the United States. Brazil and Argentina are likely to follow.
  40. In New Zealand some local governments are moving towards precautionary avoidance measures to transition away from the use of glyphosate-based herbicides. For example Christchurch City Council have recently proposed adopting a ban on glyphosate-based herbicides in built up areas in their draft Annual Plan. Tauranga City Council has also adopted measures to transition away from the use of glyphosate-based herbicides

    41. Effects on water quality

  41. Soil & Health recognises that New Zealand freshwater is in a dire state, with a staggering 62% of monitored waterways being unsafe for swimming. A big factor in the pollution of waterways is from the increasing intensification of agriculture and namely nitrates from soluble nitrogen fertilisers as well as increased pesticide use, so simply fencing off and planting around streams cannot solve this issue. Healthier fresh water is achievable by ensuring stock numbers are sustainable, and by shifting to organic and biological fertilising practices that involve nitrogen-fixing pasture species, and healthy living soils with good moisture-holding capacity.
  42. Regional Councils have an obligation under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management to maintain and improve water quality however the same document fails to monitor synthetic organic compounds, and particularly, pesticides. The National Standards for freshwater lists only eight attributes for monitoring: cyanobacteria; Escherichia coli; dissolved oxygen; ammonia; nitrate; periphyton; total phosphorus; and total nitrogen. Avoiding greater contaminant monitoring permits a kind of ‘manufactured ignorance.’
  43. We do not have data to demonstrate how New Zealand aquatic environment responds to the chemicals that may cause adverse effects to invertebrates, fish species and other aquatic fauna. Toxic synergies from multiple chemicals are ignored.
  44. While our national freshwater policy does not require monitoring of agrichemicals in our waterways the most common pesticide, glyphosate and its toxic (and persistent) metabolite AMPA (aminomethylphosphinic acid), is not routinely monitored anywhere, not in freshwater, groundwater, or drinking water. Public health policy-makers might take note that glyphosate does not degrade quite as quickly as the claims made by regulators, indicate.

    45. Decision sought

  45. Ensure that cultivation that is on land that is not certified organic becomes made a controlled activity requiring a 400m buffer for sensitive spray areas.
  46. Require that along with National Freshwater standards that are required SectionD.4.1- D4.4, that freshwater and sediment monitoring data (for the previous 5 years) for the following commonly used pesticide screens are required annually. If a freshwater body is identified as degraded, then require pesticide screens quarterly. Ensure this information is published and fully available online.

    47. List of pesticides:

    1. Glyphosate and AMPA residues in freshwater and/or sediment
    2. Organonitrogen, Organophosphorus and Pesticides (ONOP) in Water and Soil.
    3. Multiresidue Pesticides (MR) in Water and Soil.
    4. Acidic Herbicides in Water and Soil
    5. Sulfonylureas (metsulfuron is widely applied on NZ roadsides)
    6. Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOC)
    7. Organochlorines
  47. Ensure that the data supplied to the NZ National Survey of Pesticides in Groundwater is publicly available. Ensure that the metabolites as well as the primary active ingredients are screened for.
  48. The notification period for neighbouring land owners before spraying be increased from 24 hours to 48 hours, at a minimum. The currently proposed 24 hour notification period is not sufficient to ensure that people and communities are protected from the adverse effects of agrichemical spraying, especially for spray sensitive areas.
  49. Any aerial spraying whatsoever should not be allowed as a permitted activity under the Proposed Plan. Due to the nature of application aerial spraying is virtually impossible to contain in order to ensure that spray drift or direct discharge to water does not occur – therefore it is impossible for aerial spraying to meet the permitted activity conditions of rule C.6.5.1.
  50. Soil & Health request that conditions be imposed to ensure agrichemical monitoring, including for air, freshwater and groundwater, takes place which is supported by evidence concerning children’s increased vulnerability to pesticides. Soil & Heath are skeptical of how and whether the permitted activity conditions will ever be enforced without any sufficient requirements for monitoring.
  51. In 2014 11 wells were sampled. Ensure that these wells correspond with regions where higher levels of pesticides may be being applied. Northland is detecting triazine herbicides in groundwater. Europe have banned these due to high mobility and leaching. OEHHA have recognised many triazine herbicides as reproductive toxicants.

Yours sincerely

Name: Mischa Davis
Position: Policy Advisor

The Soil & Health Association
PO Box 9693,
Marion Square,
Wellington, 6141
Email: advocacy@organicnz.org.nz
Website: www.organicnz.org.nz

Joint Submission on the A1139 Potato to Food Standards Australia New Zealand

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 Introduction

GE Free New Zealand in Food and Environment and the Soil & Health Association of New Zealand (“we” and “the submitters”) welcome the opportunity to comment on the application A1139 Food derived from Potato Lines F10, J3, W8, X17 & Y8 (“Application”).

GE Free New Zealand in Food and Environment (“GE Free NZ”) is an Incorporated Society.  It is a non-Governmental Organisation governed by a Board and has a nationwide membership base. It represents its members when making submissions and helps with gathering and disseminating information concerning genetically modified organisms (“GMO”) to its members and the wider public through regular newsletters and its website (www.gefree.org.nz).

The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand Inc. (“Soil & Health”) is a charitable society registered under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908. It is the largest membership organization supporting organic food and farming in New Zealand and is one of the oldest organic organisations in the world, established in 1941. Soil & Health’s objectives are to promote sustainable organic agricultural practices and the principles of good health based on sound nutrition and the maxim: “Healthy soil, healthy food, healthy people”. Its membership is chiefly composed of home gardeners and consumers, organic farmers and growers, secondary producers, retailers and restaurateurs. Soil & Health publishes the bi-monthly ‘Organic NZ’ magazine – New Zealand’s leading organics magazine.

We recommend that FSANZ decline the Application. We submit FSANZ cannot approve the potato lines in the Application without a serious breach of its duty of care as well as the principles of its own mission statement.

We note that there are insufficient data on both the sprays and novel proteins detailed in the Application.

We note that FSANZ’s legal requirements as stated in its mission statement are:

To protect, in collaboration with others, the health and safety of people in Australia and New Zealand through the maintenance of a safe food supply.

FSANZ Values are:

  • To be impartial, open and accountable;
  • To use the best available sciences and evidence to guide decision-making; and
  • To seek, respect and be responsive to the issues raised by others.

FSANZ Responsibilities are:

  • Provide information to consumers to enable better consumer choice;
  • Undertake dietary exposure modeling and scientific risk assessments; and
  • Provide risk assessment advice on imported food.

We have read the assessments for this Application and consider that FSANZ have led stake holders and consumers astray. We outline our concerns below.

Detailed submission

It is illegal to import viable GE plants or plant parts into New Zealand. Potato plants can readily regenerate from even small parts of raw tubers, therefore making any raw imported GE potatoes equivalent to live GE plant material. This will endanger the biosecurity status of New Zealand. It would be illegal to approve the entry of these GE potatoes/potato pieces into the country.

Not labeling GE-containing foods at the point of sale is a breach of consumer rights. The lack of labeling of GE potatoes sold in any form by restaurants is deceptive, as consumers will be unaware of this.  FSANZ should support rather than oppose the enforcement and monitoring of compliance around GE food labeling.

No independent food safety experiments have been carried out on these GE potato lines. Instead FSANZ has relied on data from within the GE industry, i.e., the applicant data.  This shows that FSANZ has not been impartial, open or accountable to the public. FSANZ has not required that any independent experimental food safety assessments be undertaken on these potatoes.  It can therefore not provide advice on the safety of these imported potato lines, such advice being its core responsibility.

The executive summary of the FSANZ evaluation reads:

The changes to levels of free amino acids and reducing sugars are not nutritionally consequential as they do not affect the levels of essential amino acids or other key nutrients important to potato.

This statement assumes that any changes in the amino acids, free or otherwise, do not affect the levels of all other compounds present in the GE potatoes. The amino acid glutamine, for example,  plays an important role in maintaining a healthy immune system, digestive tract and muscle cells.  Any changes to amino acid balance may cause alterations to the assimilation of other amino acids.  Studies have shown glutamine to reduce morbidity and mortality in periods of critical illness. [1]  This demonstrates that any changes to endogenous amino acid levels should not be ignored.

Statement on Compositional analyses:

A detailed compositional analysis was performed on W8, X17, Y9, F10 and J3 to establish the nutritional adequacy of tubers produced from these lines and to characterise any unintended compositional change. Analyses were done of proximates, fibre, vitamins, minerals, total amino acids, free amino acids, sucrose, reducing sugars (fructose and glucose), and anti-nutrients (glycoalkaloids). These showed that, even with the intended changes to sucrose, reducing sugars and asparagine, the levels of all analytes fell within the natural variation found across the range of conventional potato lines used for human consumption. No conclusion could be reached in relation to line E56 as no compositional data was provided. (iii)

The changes in concentrations of glutamine and asparagine in the GE potato lines may be of some concern.  Altered levels of asparagine can result in complications in fetal development, causing brain and neurological problems.[2]

There are concerns over the meaning of “biological relevant differences” as stated in the summary document:

Analysis of the events W8, X17, and Y9 have not revealed any biologically relevant differences compared to the conventional varieties, except for the intended late blight protection, low free asparagine, low reducing sugars, and low polyphenol oxidase activity.

Assuming “biologically relevant differences” translates as food safety, there are no feeding studies to back up this statement, so such assumptions are unable to be made.

Published research on GE potatoes has shown unexpected harmful effects on animals fed with these crops.  A 1999 study (Ewen and Puzstai) conducted on rats fed with  transgenic potatoes found that abnormalities occurred in the gastrointestinal tract (small intestine and caecum) within a short time.[3] This study found that the GE potatoes caused gut abnormalities with or without (an ‘empty construct’) the lectin gene.  Lectin is a harmless insecticidal compound produced by a number of plants. The authors concluded that:

“(b)ecause caecal thickness was similar in rats given boiled parent potatoes in the presence or absence of spiked GNA (a harmless lectin from the plant species Galanthus nivalis), we suggest that the decrease in caecal mucosal thickness seen in rats fed boiled GM-potato diets was the consequence of the transfer of the GNA gene into the potato.”

These GE potatoes were not subsequently commercialised.

Similar results were obtained in feeding experiments using GE potatoes by Fares et al.[4] , who found that there were changes to the mucosal lining and other cells of the ileum of mice. They called for comprehensive feeding tests to avoid any potential risks:

“Although transgenic crop plants used in food and feed production carry different beneficial transgenes… before releasing for marketing thorough tests and all possible consequences of these new types of heredity and new genetic structures must be evaluated to avoid any potential risks”

A 2007 study showed that the consumption of GE potatoes has been observed to cause an increase in immunoglobulin (Ig) levels in human participants.[5]

This is cause for concern, as antibody levels may well have increased as a result of novel proteins present in the GE food.

These afore-mentioned studies are but three of many published studies on the harmful effects of GE foods.  Please refer to the submission of the Physicians and Scientists for Global Responsibility (PSGR) for a more comprehensive list of publications on the harmful effects of GE crops, as observed in feeding experiments.

The obligation of FSANZ is to make themselves aware of such studies and treat all GE foods as potentially harmful.  It would be completely irresponsible to allow these potatoes onto the market. Feeding studies need to be conducted on the GE potato lines in this application before the potatoes are released. This will determine whether these lines have negative health impacts, or even life threatening responses, such as an allergic reaction.

Changes in Metabolites

Cellini et al. (2004) reported widespread changes to metabolite levels, both expected and unexpected in GE potato lines.  They recommended that data analysis tools need to be used.[6]

A study of potato metabolite production has found that field-grown vs laboratory-grown potato tubers showed a tenfold and greater differences across a range of compounds.[7] The potatoes with modified sucrose metabolism or inhibited starch synthesis revealed unexpected disaccharides (trehalose, maltose and isomaltose).[8] Such changes in metabolites cannot be overlooked, when assessing this application.

A particular cause for concern is that FSANZ has deemed the six GE potato lines  in this application as “safe”,  when there is no compositional data on one line E56.

Applicant data to APHIS[9]

We have outlined the comments from the data provided to APHIS about the potatoes.

7.3 Soft root testing with tubers

Of the events in that trial (E12, E24, F10, J3, J55, and J78), the only significant difference was that event F10 was more resistant  to this disease than the control. (APHIS p.46)

Late blight foliage testing

Considering both studies, we conclude that the events have similar susceptibility to bacterial soft rot as the controls. (APHIS, p.46)

7.4 Reducing Sugars.

Tubers of the events G11, H37, and H50 contain the same amount of reducing sugars as tubers of their untransformed (non-GE) counterparts. The inability of the silencing construct to limit glucose/fructose formation in H37 and H50 may be due to the fact that the H variety is naturally low in glucose and fructose. Thus, we concluded that silencing of the promoters associated with the PhL/R1 genes effectively lowered reducing sugars near the time of harvest in most events but these differences were not sustained throughout storage for 2-5 months”. (APHIS,p. 47)

Disease susceptibility – Appendix 8

Thus, independent lines of two chipping varieties and two French fry varieties with low Ppo expression in tubers were shown to have similar susceptibility to bacterial soft rot to the corresponding untransformed control for each variety.

Considerations

The APHIS document on the GE potatoes details some significant differences in the  compositions between the GE lines and non-GE controls.  These GE potatoes are of no nutritional benefit to consumers and could contain higher levels of anti-nutrients.

FSANZ has overlooked three fundamental issues, when allowing this application to proceed:

  1. There are currently non-GE potato varieties available that are ideal for chipping and processing .

In section 2.4.3 of the application it states that the applicant has indicated that reduced blackspot bruising of these GE potato lines can reduce wastage during storage and processing, and that the potatoes are resistant to the fungal disease known as foliar late blight.  There are already several non-GE varieties of blight-resistant potatoes (including ‘Waneta’ and  ‘Lamoka’), which have been released by plant breeders from the University of Cornell (US). These varieties are ideal for chips, because they store very well and produce a good colour when cut 9. The Cornell breeding programme develops chipping and tabletop varieties, focussing on colour, size, shape, texture and disease- and pest-resistance.

  1. New Zealand has a range of excellent climates and soils in which to grow these non-GE varieties of potatoes. This would support NZ growers and potato processing plants. Furthermore, the importation of potato products from the other side of the world, is an unnecessary source of carbon emissions that will contribute to what is already a major world problem.
  2. Acrylamide production can be reduced by the use of sensible cooking methods. There is much information available on this topic.

Conclusions

We ask that FSANZ decline approval of A1139.

  • An adequate risk assessment and evaluation of the effect/s of novel genes/proteins and subsequent changes in the A1139 potato lines has not been carried out.
  • No independent feeding test risk assessments have been undertaken or evaluated by FSANZ.
  • The Applicant information provided on safety is insufficient and lacking up to date metabolic profiling using proteomic testing for entry into the food chain.
  • The lack of information does not allow the consumer to make informed decisions and removes consumer choice
  • By not allowing for labeling of A1139, FSANZ has not provided information to consumers that will enable better consumer choice.
  • The assessment has no information about any novel protein/s, which may have been produced during the GE process.
  • There is a lack of scientific data necessary to protect and maintain a safe food supply for the health and safety of people in Australia and New Zealand.

The best available science has not been used to properly guide decision-making.

  • The reliance on applicant’s data has not shown impartiality, openness and accountability.

 

[1] Lacey, J., & Wilmore, D. (2009). Is Glutamine a Conditionally Essential Amino Acid?. Nutrition Reviews, 48(8), 297-309.

[2] Ruzzo,E., Capo-Chichi, J., Ben-Zeev., Chitayat, D., Mao, H., & Pappas,A. et al. (2013). Deficiency Asparagine Synthetase Causes Congenital Microcephaly and a Progressive Form of Encephalopathy. Neuron, 80(2), 429-441.

[3] Ewen, S., & Pusztai, A. (1999). Effect of diets containing genetically modified potatoes expressing Galanthus nivalis lectin on rat small intestine. The Lancet, 354(9187), 1353-1354.

[4] Fares, N., & El-Sayed, A. (1998). Fine Structural Changes in the Ileum of Mice Fed on δ-Endotoxin-Treated Potatoes and Transgenic Potatoes. Natural Toxins, 6(6), 219-233.

[5] Tacket, C. O. (2007). Plant-Based Vaccines Against Diarrheal Diseases. Transactions of the American Clinical and Climatological Association, 118, 79–87

[6] Cellini, F., Chesson, A., Colquhoun, I., Constable, A., Davies, H., & Engel, K. et al. (2004). Unintended effects and their detection in genetically modified crops. Food And Chemical Toxicology, 42(7), 1089-1125.

[7] Roessner, U., Wagner, C., Kopka, J., Tretheway, N., Willmitzer, L., 2000. Simultaneous analysis of metabolites in potato tubers by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Plant Journal 23, 131–142.

[8] Acrylamide Potential and Reduced Black Spot Bruise: Events E12 and E24 (Russet Burbank); F10 and F37 (Ranger Russet); J3, J55, and J78 (Atlantic); G11 (G); H37and H50 (H)  – 2013  https://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/aphisdocs/13_02201p.pdf

[9] www.isaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/article/default.asp?ID=7422

Submission on Consumers’ Right to Know (Country of Origin of Food) Bill

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Committee Secretariat

Primary Production

Parliament Buildings

Wellington

 

Introduction

  1. The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand Inc. (“Soil & Health”) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Consumers’ Right to Know (Country of Origin of Food) Bill (“Bill”).
  2. Soil & Health was incorporated under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 on 4 December 1942. Soil & Health’s objectives broadly include soil health and the promotion of organic gardening and farming. Its membership is chiefly composed of home gardeners and consumers, organic farmers and growers, secondary producers, retailers and restaurateurs. Its age and membership make it the oldest and largest representative organic organisation in New Zealand.
  3. Soil & Health believe in the right of people to be able to access safe and nutritious food, grow diverse and nutritious food, and equip themselves with the resources and knowledge needed to sustain themselves and their communities.
  4. We are committed to advocating for clear and honest food labelling in Aotearoa New Zealand. We believe that transparent food labelling is fundamental in allowing people to make informed choices. Soil & Health therefore strongly supports the changes in the bill that support country of origin food labelling in New Zealand.
  5. We believe in the right of people to equip themselves with the knowledge to make informed food choices. This is only achievable through clear and transparent food labelling.

Detailed submission

  1. We believe that everyone has a right to safe and nutritious food that is grown in a way that enhances the environment. This covers the right to have food free from microbial contamination, harmful organisms, pesticides, harmful chemicals and heavy metal contaminants, harmful additives, irradiation and genetic engineering.
  2. There is a growing awareness in society of how food determines health, and people are now demanding to know what is in their food and how it is grown. However the right to know exactly what we are eating is often taken away and even routinely denied to us. Many consumers assume, in the absence of country of origin labelling, that traditional foods such as meat, fruit, fish, and vegetables are produced in New Zealand. As more and more food is imported into New Zealand, accurate and consistent country of origin labelling is even more important for consumers.
  3. While growing our own food or buying local and organic food remain the best ways to ensure that we know what we are eating and how it is grown, we must also know what has been sprayed onto crops and soil, added to foods, and used in the processing of the food we purchase. We consider that mandatory country of origin labelling is a step towards allowing people to do this.
  4. Under the Fair Trading Act, any claims about a product’s origin must not be misleading or deceptive. If a product claims to be a “Product of New Zealand”, the essential character of the food must be created in New Zealand. The phrase “Made in New Zealand from local and/or imported ingredients” however gives no guarantees about the product’s origin. Packaged food must have contact details for distributors or manufacturers but, with the exception of wine, country of origin labelling is only voluntary in New Zealand.
  5. All of New Zealand’s major trading partner countries however have country of origin labelling including Australia, the US, the UK, countries in Europe and many Asian countries.
  6. Statistics show that the majority of New Zealand consumers want country of original labelling required by law. In the Consumer NZ and Horticulture NZ Survey conducted earlier this year:
  • 70% of the respondents want to buy fresh fruit and vegetables
  • 72% of the respondents want to know where their fresh fruit and vegetables come from.
  • 71% of the respondents want country of origin labelling required by law for fresh fruit and vegetables.
  • 65% of the respondents said they looked for country of origin labelling when they went shopping.
  • Only 9% of respondents didn’t support mandatory labelling.
  1. The survey also showed the existing voluntary approach to labelling isn’t giving consumers the facts they need to make informed choices.
  2. There are many reasons why consumers want to know which country their food comes from, and why consumers may wish to avoid consuming foods from certain countries.
  3. Some consumers simply want to support local producers and the local economy. Some are concerned about the environmental and other costs of transporting food long distances. Some are concerned about the adequacy of food safety standards in some countries we import food from. Others want to support countries with fairer working conditions. Employment conditions vary between countries and support for different countries can play into people’s food purchasing decisions.
  4. Some consumers make food purchasing decisions based on health choices. There is a growing demand world-wide for grass-fed beef due to its high omega 3 value and we know that beef products coming from the United States are likely to be from grain-fed beef, which consumers might want to avoid.
  5. Some are concerned about the use of post-harvest fumigation and other treatments such as irradiation on imported produce. It has been clearly established that irradiation does severe damage to most vitamins in food. There are also large areas of scientific uncertainty regarding chemicals that could be created by irradiation and the long term effects of these on humans. Irradiated foods however, especially from Australia, are becoming more common as other measures to prevent the risk of Queensland fruit fly coming in through fruit and vegetables have been stopped. Australian tomatoes, courgettes, capsicums, papayas, mangos, lychees, melons and more are likely to be irradiated. Consumers might therefore avoid purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables from Australia to avoid irradiation contamination.
  6. Genetically engineered (“GE”) foods are also relevant for country of origin labelling. This is because just 10 countries account for almost all (98%) of the GE hectares around the world. For example 95% of canola grown in Canada is GE. Consumers may choose not to purchase canola oil from Canada knowing that it will most likely contain GE canola. Consumers need to be able to differentiate.
  7. Some consumers are concerned about the potential residues of pesticides and other contaminants in imported foods. We know that there will be different residue contaminants from different countries. For example tinned stoned fruit from China is more likely to contain greater levels of pesticide residues than tinned stoned fruit from New Zealand. GE foods usually have high levels of pesticides in them. Some people have chemical sensitivities. Consumers need to be able to make that distinction for their health, and the health of their families and others.

Conclusion

  1. It is clear from the Consumer NZ and Horticulture NZ survey that there is widespread support across New Zealand for country of origin labelling. People simply want to know where their food is grown.
  2. Soil & Health supports the requirement that all single-origin food products, including packaged and unpackaged, display their country of origin on the label to allow people to make informed choices without being misled.
  3. Soil & Health further considers that packaged fresh ingredient mixes should also be required to be labelled, identifying the origin of the fresh fruit and vegetables in the package.
  4. Soil & Health wish to be in heard in support of our submission.

Yours sincerely

 

Name: Mischa Davis

Position: Policy Advisor

 

The Soil & Health Association

PO Box 340002

Birkenhead

Auckland 0746

Phone: 06 8775534

Mobile: 0212667754

Email: advocacy@organicnz.org.nz

Website: www.organicnz.org.nz

Clean Water Consultation 2017

/in

 

Clean Water Consultation 2017

Ministry for the Environment

PO Box 10362

Wellington 6143

 

                         Clean Water Consultation 2017

 

  • This submission is on behalf of the Soil & Health Association of New Zealand Inc. (“Soil & Health”). Soil & Health was incorporated under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 on 4 December 1942. Soil & Health’s objectives broadly include soil health and the promotion of organic gardening and farming. It has approximately 3000 members, chiefly composed of home gardeners and consumers, organic farmers and growers, secondary producers, retailers and restaurateurs. Its age and membership make it the oldest and largest representative organic organisation in New Zealand.
  • Soil & Health appreciates the opportunity to comment on the consultation document Clean Water Package 2017 (Consultation Document).

Overview

  • Soil & Health supports a number of underlying concepts in the Consultation Document and National Policy Statement Freshwater Management (NPSFM) and believe that they have the potential to improve the management of freshwater in New Zealand. These include proposals for “swimmable rivers”, stock exclusion, clarification of “maintain or improve”, and the use of MCI (macroinvertebrate community index), DIN and DRP.
  • However Soil & Health has concerns with how the above proposals are to be incorporated. For environmental limits-based water management to be successful central government needs to install clear, directive, policy at a national level. Further the Consultation Document does little to address the issues of stock density and the excess application of nutrients on farms which leach through soils and into waterways.
  • The government has failed to take the steps necessary to prevent the freshwater crisis effectively leaving waterways across the country in a dire state and continuing to deteriorate. This is reflected in the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management (NPSFM) which sets bottom lines at levels which are toxic to aquatic life. These bottom lines have been incorporated into regional plans, leaving no prospect that water quality in rivers will ever return to ecological health.
  • Further the main factor in the deterioration of waterways is due to nitrogen and phosphate pollution from the increasing intensification of (non-organic) dairy farming, which the government continues to actively promote.
  • Various mitigating measures that the government has so far suggested, including in this Consultation Document, such as fencing off waterways, planting stream banks, and establishing initiatives like the Clean Streams Accord and Healthy Rivers, for the most part, are only bandaids that attempt to address the symptom and do little to address the actual cause of the problem – that being the excess application of nutrients and in the wrong form. An estimated 750,000 tonnes of urea was applied in 2014 the majority of which was onto dairy farms. This is a 38-fold increase from the 20,000 tonnes applied in 1983.
  • Soil & Health strongly advocates for a transition to organic farming as part of the solution to fixing polluted fresh waterways in New Zealand. Organic dairy farming involves no soluble nitrogen fertilisers, lower stock numbers, more biodiversity, and grass-fed cows with no GE feed or palm kernel supplements.

Detailed submissions

Macroinvertebrate Community Index

  • Policy CB1 requires regional councils to monitor macroinvertebrate communities. Soil & Health considers this requirement to be weak and not directive. The requirement does not  implement the Land and Water Forum’s (LWF) recommendations that (in summary):[1]
  1. Plans be required to have a trigger for action if there is a downward trend in MCI, or it is below 100.
  2. The required action is to investigate and develop an action plan to either maintain or improve MCI scores in the water body. The key points in this process are:
  3. If the natural state is below 100, then the requirement is to maintain MCI at that level.
  4. If the MCI score in a water body is below 100 for human-induced reasons, then the requirement is to develop an action plan to improve the MCI score.
  • If there is a downward trend in MCI then the requirement is to develop an action plan to reverse the trend.
  • The LWF’s recommendations are based on advice given from a panel made up of independent scientists that MCI is scientifically robust and fit for purpose.

Relief:

  • MCI and the planning system proposed above be incorporated into the NPSFM as per the LWF’s recommendations.

Dissolved inorganic nitrogen and dissolved reactive phosphorus

  • The Consultation Document incorporates the setting of maximum concentrations of DIN and DRP through a “note” attached to the ecosystem health periphyton attribute table. This requirement is not sufficiently directive, and its legality and enforceability is unclear. It does not accord with or implement the LWF’s recommendations that (in summary):[2]
  1. The NPSFM include a requirement to set instream concentrations for DIN and DRP as objectives in regional plans.
  2. The development of a mandatory decision support tool to be used by regional councils to derive and set DIN and DRP concentrations.
  3. Research and develop a multivariate “look-up” table for DIN and DRP concentrations.
  4. The NPSFM incorporate nitrogen and phosphorus standards in order to achieve ecosystem health as measured through a desired MCI.

Relief:

  • The NPSFM be amended to include setting of DIN and DRP concentrations in the NOF at ecosystem health levels.
  • That a decision-support tool as per the flow chart attached to the LWF’s letter to Ministers of 19 August 2016 be confirmed and appended to the NPSFM. The text of the NPSFM must make clear that setting of DIN and DRP concentrations is to follow that process.

Gaps

  • The NPSFM Consultation Version does not reflect the full range of attributes that need to be managed. The most important missing parameters are:
  • Excessive sediment runoff from land is seen to be one of the main causes of water quality issues in New Zealand. Sediment however is not explicitly addressed in the Consultation Document. The four modes of impact from sediment are visual clarity, light penetration, suspended sediment concentrations, and deposited sediment. These are all capable of being included as attributes in the NOF.
  • Stormwater drains from roads and other impermeable surfaces like roofs contain dissolved metal contaminants such as zinc and copper. Another more potent source is from motor vehicle tyre and brake wear on cars. These heavy metal contaminants are now commonly found in waterways, and once carried through can accumulate in muddy sediment. These are difficult to control however as local government has no control over motor vehicle brake-pads and its control over roofing and building materials is not clear due to ambiguities of overlap with the Building Act and regulations.
  • Cadmium, which is a carcinogenic heavy metal, however has accumulated in soils and steams which is the result of the heavy use of superphosphate. Cadmium is something that we therefore can control by simply using fertilisers that don’t contain cadmium. The issue with cadmium is that it doesn’t readily leave the environment and can bioaccumulate in fish, plants and animals.
  • Inadequate focus on urban water issues has been evident at all stages of the freshwater reform process. This needs to change.

Relief:

  • Include sediment attributes in the NOF or signal intention to include sediment attributes in the NOF and begin development of those and in the interim, include policy direction on sediment management.
  • Include copper, zinc and cadmium attributes in the NOF.
  • National regulation for vehicle brake-pads should be investigated and developed.
  • Control of heavy metals from building materials should be investigated and legislative amendments/guidance/regulation ensuring effective local government control for NPSFM purposes developed.

Swimming

  • Soil & Health supports the underlying concept of a time-based approach to achieving water quality suitable for “swimming”. However the detail underpinning this concept and providing the course of action for its achievement need significant work.

Terminology

  • The Consultation Document refers to improving water quality to enable “swimming”. The document refers to a target of 90% of rivers and lakes being “swimmable”[3]. This is not defined and not referred to elsewhere in the document. Instead the concept of “suitable for immersion” is applied.
  • Lack of consistency in terminology is confusing and unclear. Reference solely to “swimming” is misleading as swimming is only one of many activities involving immersion or primary contact.
  • The objective that water quality is “suitable for immersion more often” is not sufficiently directive. As defined any reduction in frequency and magnitude of coli exceedances over any time frame would qualify as achieving the NPSFM’s proposed new objectives and policies.[4]
  • Consistent and clear terminology should be used. The NPSFM should set a clear and definitive goal that water quality be suitable for primary contact recreation.

Relief:

  • Replace references to “swimming”, “swimmable, “suitable for immersion” in the Consultation Document preamble, Objective A3, Policy A5, Policy CA2(f) with “primary contact recreation”.
  • Delete definition of “suitable for immersion” and insert the LWF definition of “primary contact recreation”.

Qualifying as swimmable

  • It appears that amended Appendix 2 is inaccurate. It does not reflect the categories and attribute states and defining metrics set out by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) on its website as being proposed to be inserted in the NPSFM. It is unfortunate that the table was not included in the Consultation Document’s NPSFM Consultation Version.
  • Those parameters should not be left to a “readers note”. The legality and enforceability of a “readers note” in national policy is unclear.

Relief:

  • That the coli attribute table in NPSFM Consultation Version be amended to incorporate in full the tables as set out on MfE’s website.

Waterbodies to which the target applies

  • The Consultation Document’s “swimming” proposals only apply to “large rivers and lakes” which is defined to capture 4th order rivers or above and lakes large than 1.5km in perimeter on average. This excludes the vast majority of waterbodies. Because the current coli attribute table is deleted in the NPSFM Consultation Version to make way for that applying to “swimming” there is no is no E.coli attribute table or bottom line applying to those other ‘smaller’ waterways. This is a serious oversight.
  • The “swimming” proposal is also inconsistent with the interconnectedness of freshwater bodies and the ocean. Failure to appropriately control contaminants in smaller streams that may themselves not necessarily be frequently used for swimming can result in significant pollution of the coastal environment into which they flow. This is a significant issue for Auckland City.
  • This interface issue with the coastal environment may result in the proposed additions to the NPS being inconsistent with the provisions of the NZCPS.

Relief:

  • That the new primary contact coli attribute table apply to all waterbodies. Primary contact recreation targets should be set for all regions.

Monitoring

  • Soil & Health supports the inclusion of monitoring requirements for coli in Policy CB1 and Appendix 5 in principle. As drafted Appendix 5 is not sufficiently clear. It fails to identify that there are 2 separate monitoring requirements:
  1. Monitoring for meeting Coli freshwater objectives in the long term.
  2. Monitoring for surveillance to inform the public on suitability for primary contact recreation at various times and locations.
  • Appendix 5’s monitoring guidelines are based on the 2003 microbiological guidelines which are outdated. Many councils’ are employing more sophisticated methods.

Relief:

  • Amendments to ensure the 2 separate monitoring requirements are clear.
  • Urgent review of the 2003 microbiological guidelines.

Overarching Goal

  • The preamble to the NPSFM Consultation Version sets an overarching goal that 90% of rivers and lakes will be swimmable by 2040 and an interim goal of 80% to be swimmable by 2030. This goal is supported in principle. However it is undermined by 2 issues:
  • The rivers and lakes to which this goal will apply have not been defined. It is not clear whether only large rivers and lakes will be relevant or a broader group.
  • The goal is not legally enforceable. It is only set out in the NPSFM Consultation Version preamble. No relevant objectives or policies are proposed. Instead it is proposed that a letter from the Minister to regional councils outlining the goal is distributed. This lacks regulatory compulsion.
  • It is not clear how this goal is intended to be worked into existing plan processes/plans recently amended to give effect to the NPSMF 2014.

Relief

  • Incorporate the goal of 90% of rivers and lakes to be suitable for primary contact recreation into the NPSFM provisions. This should apply to all rivers and lakes.
  • Provide policy direction on how this goal is to be incorporated into plans at different stages of the planning process.
  • The year by which 90% of rivers by suitable for primary contact recreation be changed to 2030.

NPSFM Consultation version text

  • Comments and relief relating to the NPSFM Consultation Version text in relation to the issues discussed above are not repeated.

Timeframes

  • Freshwater objectives need to be set, and they need to be set fast. Implementation needs to be accelerated for public confidence in the fresh water reforms to be retained. This is particularly so given the controversy subsequent to release of the Consultation Document. The timeframes in the consultation version are to drawn out to impress any urgency on regional government or land users to change. They need to be revisited.

Relief:

  • The NPSFM be amended to set minimum timeframes for when regional freshwater objectives are to be met.
  • The date of implementation of the NPSFM in Policy E1 be brought forward to 31 December 2020. Any extension should be limited to 2025.

Objectives A2 and B1 – economic wellbeing

  • The Consultation Document amends Objectives A2 and B1 to refer to providing for economic wellbeing and opportunities. It is not clear why this is necessary or why the amendment to each objective is different. If the intention is to clarify that use of water for inter alia economic purposes can only occur only within environmental limits then this should specifically addressed.
  • Of particular concern is the amendment to B1 which requires economic wellbeing to be provided for “while” meaning “at the same time as” safeguarding the life supporting capacity of freshwater. This is inconsistent with an environmental limits approach to water management based on providing for use within the capacity of the environment to sustain itself.

Relief:

  • Delete the proposed amendments to Objective A2 and B1 referring to provision for economic wellbeing.
  • If references or new provisions are to be included these must be drafted to ensure that water quality based on ecosystem and human health is the first priority. Promotion of and provision for economic opportunities must be within environmental limits.

Objective A2 – maintain or improve

  • The clarification of the “maintain or improve” requirement in Objective A2 needs further work. Soil & Health supports the requirement that water quality be maintained or improved within a FMU in principle. It allows for natural fluctuations and is consistent with the scale at which freshwater objectives are set.
  • However, the adequacy of that requirement turns on the definition of FMU. Currently that definition is extremely broad and affords regional councils’ unfettered discretion to identify FMUs at as large or small a scale as they please. Setting of large FMUs allows for gaming of the system and an ‘unders and overs’ calculation due to power imbalances. A desire to avoid these outcomes was one of the drivers behind the proposed amendments. Fish and Game submitted on this issue in 2014, and it has not been addressed.

Relief:

  • The NPSFM provide guidance on appropriate minimum scale/scale-setting process for FMUs. Consequential amendments to the FMU definition will likely be required.

Policy A3 and Appendix 3

  • Appendix 3 has not been populated. This should occur. Policy CA3 only applies to infrastructure listed in the Appendix.
  • The Consultation Document includes amendments attempting to define “benefits provided by listed infrastructure”. This singles out renewable electricity generation and then lists employment and economic wellbeing as “benefits”. This is unhelpful. First, there are many different types of hydrological modification that may qualify as significant infrastructure. It is not necessary to single out electricity generation. Second, a general statement that employment and economic wellbeing are sufficient benefits to trigger application of the exception in Policy A3 is too broad. Almost any activity will have employment and economic outcomes. A higher threshold should be applied in the context of freshwater limits. Care needs to be taken in determining criteria allowing infrastructure to qualify for an exception. In some instances poor water quality results from infrastructure that may be regionally significant but which is outdated and should be upgraded.
  • The amendment clarifying that Appendix 3 only applies to infrastructure exiting prior to the date on which the NPSFM 2014 came into effect is supported.

Relief:

  • Appendix 3 be populated. This should include the infrastructure title and its specific benefits.
  • The final paragraph to Policy CA3 be deleted.
  • Appendix 3 include specific, detailed criteria that must be considered when determining whether an Appendix 3 exception is appropriate.

STOCK EXCLUSION

  • The stock exclusion proposals are broadly acceptable. Two crucial elements are missing:
  1. A workable scheme for deciding what slope class a parcel of land falls within. Such a scheme exists within the new NES on Plantation Forestry, and it could be used in this case.
  2. Integrating stock exclusion fencing requirements with riparian management. This is a significant omission, ignores recommendation 31 of the LWF’s 4th Report, and is not consistent with integrated and strategic resource management. Stock exclusion and riparian setbacks are intimately linked. Although exclusion prevents stock from entering waterways it does not prevent overland or subsurface flow of nutrients. Setbacks, in particular vegetated setbacks, act as a filter. They preserve and enhance natural riparian habitats and prevent erosion. Without a complementary setback requirement, any stock exclusion regulation risks placing a significant cost on land owners for insignificant environmental outcomes. Setbacks and riparian management are heavily influenced by context and depend on factors such as terrain, soil, and flow patterns.

Relief:

  • The Consultation Document’s stock exclusion proposal and any subsequent regulation(s) include a scheme for consistent slope class assessment and a requirement that fencing erected to exclude stock be placed at an appropriate distance from the waterbody, with appropriateness being determined by reference to a nationally applicable assessment tool as outlined above.

Measures not addressed in the Consultation Document

  • Soil & Health strongly believes that limits on stock numbers need to be set, and strictly enforced. The Consultation Document makes no mention at all on limiting stock numbers on farms. A large factor in nitrogen pollution in waterways is cow urine diffusing through soils and pasture root zones. A landmark report released by the Ministry of the Environment on the 27th of April highlighted that there has been a 69 percent increase in dairy cattle numbers between 1994 and 2015.[5] The report found that freshwater biodiversity was declining and 72 percent of native fish were threatened or at risk of extinction.  The fact remains that even if farmers adopt mitigation techniques like riparian planting, stock exclusion from waterways, water quality will keep declining if we continue to expand dairying in this way.

 

  • Further, with this expansion of dairying there has been an overreliance on nitrogen fertizliers to get pastures to grow. There are however many efficient and cost effective ways of applying nitrogen that ensure pasture gets all the nitrogen required to grow and at a significantly lower environmental cost. These include:
  1. Converting the nitrogen into effluent ponds that are less leachable, organically bound forms, and applying the effluent to folia as opposed to discharging to waterways.
  2. Increasing clover cover and promoting nitrogen fixing pasture species, effectively increasing the health of the soil, the structure of soil and its moisture holding capacity.
  3. Promoting the drawdown of the 78 percent free nitrogen in the atmosphere by promoting the free-living and associative nitrogen-fixing bacteria and archaea in soils.

 

  • The above are productive, smart management practices that would allow for significant cost savings for farmers and would reduce nitrogen leaching through soils and into waterways. Putting in place these measures, as regulatory requirements, would effectively address the cause of the problem and in doing so work to reverse the damage already caused to waterways.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Name: Mischa Davis

Position: Policy advisor

 

The Soil & Health Association

PO Box 340002

Birkenhead

Auckland 0746

Phone: 021 266 7754

Email: advocacy@organicnz.org.nz

Website: www.organicnz.org.nz

 

[1] LWF letter to Ministers 19 August 2016.

[2] LWF letter to Ministers 19 August 2016.

[3] NPSFM Consultation Version pg 5 preamble.

[4] NPSFM Consultation Version 1 pg 10 interpretation, pg 23 Objective A3, pg 14 Policy A5.

[5] Ministry for the Environment & Stats NZ (2017). New Zealand’s Environmental Reporting Series: Our fresh water 2017. Retrieved from www.mfe.govt.nz and www.stats.govt.nz.

 

Photo credit: Mischa Davis

Submission on the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill

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Introduction

  1. The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand Inc. (“Soil & Health”) was incorporated under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 on 4 December 1942. Soil & Health’s objectives broadly include soil health and the promotion of organic gardening and farming. Its membership is chiefly composed of home gardeners and consumers, organic farmers and growers, secondary producers, retailers and restaurateurs. Its age and membership make it the oldest and largest representative organic organisation in New Zealand.
  2. Soil & Health is aware that currently in New Zealand around 60% of public water supplies have fluoride added as a treatment for dental decay. We are also aware that there is conflicting evidence on the benefits of water fluoridation to dental health and that there is growing medical concern about the cumulative negative wider health impacts of ingestion of fluoride and its adverse effects on the environment. The main chemicals used to fluoridate drinking water are known as silicofluorides. These fluorides are not pharmaceutical-grade fluoride products but unprocessed toxic industrial chemical by-products of the phosphate fertiliser industry.
  1. As an organisation that advocates for organics we are opposed to the use of toxic chemicals in New Zealand. We are therefore opposed to the artificial fluoridation of public water supplies. We believe that adding fluoride to local body water supplies is a form of forced medication and therefore is a breach of section 10 of the Bill of Rights Act 1990. We strongly believe that individuals should have a right to choose whether they want to ingest fluoride or not. We believe that dental health is best achieved through a healthy diet and eating fresh, wholesome organic foods.

Detailed submissions

The role of the DHBs and local democracy

  1. The Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill (“the Bill”) was introduced to Parliament in order to enable District Health Boards (“DHBs”) rather than local councils to decide whether community water supplies are fluoridated “with the intention that the change would benefit over 1.4 million New Zealanders who live in areas where networked community water supplies are not currently fluoridated.”[1] This Bill therefore is fundamentally about facilitating the roll out of fluoridation of community water supplies across New Zealand. The Bill itself states in its Explanatory Note that: “Transferring decision-making to DHBs is expected to enable extended fluoridation coverage”.[2]
  2. The Regulatory Impact Statement says: “The Ministry of Health has considered a range of options for managing fluoridation and increasing the proportion of the population having access to fluoridated water supplies.”[3] We argue that “having access” implies having a choice. Under the Bill however there will not be a choice and in fact the Bill is about removing the ability for local communities to have a say on fluoridation. The Bill is therefore dishonest.
  3. It has been argued in the first reading of the Bill that democracy is upheld because the DHB’s have locally elected representatives, and are better placed to make decisions about the health benefits and risks of fluoridation. Part 1 Clause 8(2) of the Bill however sets out only two things the DHBs must consider when making a decision on, which are:

(a) the scientific evidence on the effectiveness on dental health; and

(b) whether the benefits outweigh the costs.

There is no provision for the DHBs to take on board community views, nor to assess health risks or environmental effects. Nor can the DHBs go against Ministry of Health objectives.

  1. The process as it currently exists for considering fluoridation enables local decision making amongst the communities affected. All residents of local councils who want to participate in the process can voice their opinion and a council decision can be appealed in court – as has recently happened in the case of Health New Zealand Inc v South Taranaki District Council.[4] Transferring the decision making from councils to DHBs will effectively remove the ability of communities to be fully involved in the investigation and reporting of any health, community or ecological impacts.
  1. We consider that the DHBs are also less representative of communities than councils because they are not independent. Under the New Zealand Health and Disability Act 2000 DHB’s “must pursue its objectives in accordance with any plan prepared under section 38, its statement of intent, and any directions or requirements given to it by the Minister”[5] and “The Minister may give a direction to all DHBs to comply with stated requirements for the purpose of supporting government policy on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the public health and disability sector.”[6]

The toxicity of fluoride

  1. The type of fluoride that is added to drinking water is not naturally occurring calcium fluoride, or even pharmaceutical grade sodium fluoride.[7] It is a contaminated chemical by-product of the phosphate fertilizer manufacturing process, known as hydrofluorosilicic acid (“HFA”).[8] It is concentrated, highly toxic and contains hazardous impurities. Due to it’s toxicity by law it cannot be dumped onto the land, into rivers or the sea and cannot be discharged to air. Uranium and radium are found in HFA, both of which are known carcinogens. Two decay products of uranium are even more carcinogenic: radon-222 and polonium-210. Polonium decays into stable lead 206, raising significant health risks, especially for children. Research has shown that drinking fluoridated water increases lead absorption.[9]
  1. New Zealanders are already ingesting elevated levels of fluoride from plants and animals raised on land treated with phosphate which contains naturally occurring fluorides and many people already manifest dental symptoms of fluorosis – fluoride overdose. Further there is no antidote for fluoride toxicity and fluoride does not absorb to activated charcoal in filters.[10]
  1. A further concern is that the Bill’s is sole focus is on dental health with no requirement for the DHBs to assess risk to other parts of the body such as kidneys, liver, brain and thyroid.

Fluoride in the environment

  1. Fluoride ions are directly toxic to aquatic life, and accumulate in the tissues, at concentrations where absorption rates exceed excretion rates.[11] In a scientific journal article titled ‘Fluoride toxicity to aquatic animals’ Julio A. Camargo states how even at concentrations as low as 0.5 mg F−/l fluoride in soft water can adversely affect invertebrates and fishes. Camargo further states that “safe levels below this fluoride concentration are recommended in order to protect freshwater animals from fluoride pollution.”[12] There are other studies that indicate levels below water fluoridation level, 1.5ppm, have lethal and other adverse effects on fish. Delayed hatching of rainbow trout has occurred at 1.5ppm6, brown mussels have died at 1.4ppm7; an alga (Porphyria tenera) was killed by a four-hour fumigation with fluoride with a critical concentration of 0.9ppm 8, and levels below 0.1ppm were shown to be lethal to the water flea, Daphnia magna.[13]
  1. Only 1% of water from community water supplies is ingested by humans, the remaining 99% is discharged into the environment via the wastewater systems. Fluoride is not filtered out by wastewater plants. In 2015 an investigation found that approximately half a tonne of HFA is discharged every year into Lake Taupo via the Hangarito stream from the township of Turangi alone.[14] The safety datasheet for HFA by Orica states it is an exotoxin and to avoid discharge to waterways. New Zealand waterways are already in a dire state with a staggering 62% of monitored waterways being unsafe for swimming. Increasing the amount of fluoridation in local body water supplies will only make this worse.
  1. Of concern for the Bill is that transferring the decision making to the DHBs will mean that environmental effects of fluoride will no longer be taken into account. The DHBs role is to deliver public health services, not to take into account environmental effects. Whereas councils can assess environmental effects when considering fluoridation, DHBs cannot, because their statutory role is restricted to the delivery of health services.

The need for a precautionary approach

  1. Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration mentions the precautionary approach as follows:

“In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation”

  1. The precautionary approach has been considered a milestone in its ability to reduce environmental risk as it involves an anticipatory preventative action in response to uncertainty. In its use public authorities are not only required to anticipate possible adverse effects that could arise from activities but also to act to control the risks even when it is still uncertain whether adverse effects will occur.
  1. A report compiled in 2013 for the Government of Ireland, the European Commission and the World Health Organisation titled ‘Public Health Investigation of Epidemiological Data on Disease and Mortality in Ireland related to Water Fluoridation and Fluoride Exposure’ found that public health authorities have pursued a policy of medicating the population with fluoridation chemicals for half a century without undertaking any clinical trials, medical, toxicological, scientific or epidemiological studies to examine how exposure to such chemicals may be impacting on the general health of the population. The report concludes that in the absence of any scientific data proponents of water fluoridation continue to believe that the policy is both safe and effective for all sectors of society regardless of the age, nutritional requirements, medical status or total dietary intake of fluoride of individuals.[15]
  1. While studies have shown that a lifetime exposure to fluoride can lead to health risks, especially to those with challenged immune systems and the young and the elderly, [16] it is still unknown at what point HFA causes harm. Our health authorities in New Zealand have not yet found the real safe level to protect sensitive groups, particularly people with kidney disease, diabetes and bottle-fed babies. No safety studies have ever been conducted anywhere in the world.
  1. Soil & Health strongly endorses a precautionary approach to fluoridation of local body water supplies at all levels of government and regulation. Due to the uncertainties of the safety of water fluoridation we consider that applying the precautionary approach should involve a moratorium on the fluoridation of local body water supplies until further research is undertaken.

Conclusion

  1. As set out above Soil & Health opposes the introduction of the Bill. Under the Bill local decision making will be removed, making fluoridation of local body water supplies easier to implement. A number of independent scientific studies have raised serious concerns about the adverse effects that HFA has on human health and the environment.
  1. We consider that to transfer decision making to the DHB’s the government is showing disregard for appropriate decision making, especially when any risk for those affected is not required to be assessed, nor can the DHBs assess environmental effects or go against Ministry of Health objectives.
  1. We urge the select committee to apply the precautionary approach and implement a moratorium on the fluoridation of local body water supplies until an ‘independent’ review of its effects on human health and the environment is undertaken.

Soil & Health wish to be in heard in support of our submission.

 

Yours sincerely

Name: Mischa Davis

Position: Policy Advisor

The Soil & Health Association

PO Box 340002

Birkenhead

Auckland 0746

Phone: 0212667754

Email: advocacy@organicnz.org.nz

Website: www.organicnz.org.nz

[1] Background to Bill https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-digests/document/51PLLaw24221/health-fluoridation-of-drinking-water-amendment-bill

[2] Page 1 the Bill.

[3] Page 1 Regulatory Impact Statement.

[4] New Health New Zealand Inc v South Taranaki District Council – [2014] NZHC 395

[5] Section 22 (2).

[6] Section 33B (1).

[7] https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng1233.html

[8]http://www.waternz.org.nz/Folder?Action=View%20File&Folder_id=315&File=140604_nzwwa_f_gpg_revision_final.pdf

[9] http://cof-cof.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Masters-Coplan-Water-Treatment-With-Silicofluorides-And-Lead-Toxicity-International-Journal-Of-Environmental-Studies-1999.pdf and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17420053

[10] http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/814774-overview

[11] http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/wq/BCguidelines/fluoride/fluoridetoo-04.html

[12] http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653502004988

[13] Dave G. Effects of fluoride on growth reproduction and survival in Daphnia magna, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, 78c (2)

[14] http://fluoridefree.org.nz/campaigns/taupo-turangi/

[15] http://www.enviro.ie/feb2013.pdf

[16] http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0892036214001809 and https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/tp11-c2.pdf

You can address your submission to:

Committee Secretariat

Health

Parliament Buildings

Wellington

Natural Health & Supplementary Products Bill – Ministry of Health’s consultation paper ‘The Regulation of Natural Health Products’

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Submission to: Ministry of Health
Submission Author: Philippa Jamieson and Marion Thomson
Friday, March 4, 2016

Submission on the Natural Health & Supplementary Products Bill
Ministry of Health’s consultation paper ‘The Regulation of Natural Health Products’

TO:
Natural Health Products
Ministry of Health
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6145
naturalhealthproducts@moh.govt.nz

FROM: Soil & Health Association of New Zealand
PO Box 340002
Birkenhead 0746
Auckland

4 March 2016

 

Re: the Ministry of Health’s consultation paper ‘The Regulation of Natural Health Products’

The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand Incorporated (‘Soil & Health’) is the largest membership organisation supporting organic food and farming in New Zealand, and is one of the oldest organic organisations in the world, formed in 1941. We are committed to advocating our maxim ‘Oranga nuku – Oranga kai – Oranga tangata’ meaning ‘Healthy soil – Healthy food – Healthy people’ and to creating an organic New Zealand.

 

The Soil & Health Association of NZ opposes the Natural Health Products Bill and requests that it be removed from the Order Paper.
Our opposition to this Bill includes the following reasons:

 

1.     The Bill would drastically reduce access to, and options for, safe and effective healthcare for New Zealanders.

 

a)     Natural medicines have been used safely and effectively for thousands of years. The Bill would, however, ban numerous natural health product ingredients without just cause. Some of these ingredients could in fact be everyday foods with a long history of safety.

b)    The proposed regulations would severely limit health options for consumers by allowing only a very limited number of permitted ingredients on a ‘white list’.

c)     The limited ‘white list’ approach would mean that many safe and effective natural health ingredients would become illegal.

d)    Many of the ‘white list’ ingredients have severe dosage and application restrictions placed on them. There is no scientific or medical justification for this, and no history of risk to human health.

e)     Soil & Health asks that the current, sensible ‘black list’ approach is retained, so that natural health products are ‘innocent until proven guilty’. If they are shown to cause harm, they are banned and added to the black list.

 

2.     The Bill would severely affect natural health practitioners, who would be robbed of numerous safe and effective health products to recommend to their patients. This would limit or destroy their businesses, as well as impacting on their ethical duty of providing the best care for their patients.

 

3.     The Bill would severely affect New Zealand natural health producers and suppliers, driving many small-to-medium enterprises out of the market.

 

a)     The Bill introduces significant new compliance costs on New Zealand businesses to prove that a natural health ingredient to be safe so it can be added to the proposed ‘white list’.

b)    The compliance costs for businesses go well beyond proving that an ingredient is safe. Costs include notifying the regulator about each ingredient, paying annual fees, providing information about health benefit claims, obtaining a licence to manufacture the product, and complying with the Code of Manufacture Practice. The sum total of compliance costs will be out of reach of many businesses as it could reach into the tens of thousands of dollars or even more.

c)     Businesses will not be able to provide as great a range of natural health products, for sale in New Zealand, or for export.

d)    The only manufacturers likely to be able to survive will be the larger ones.

e)     If consumers are unable to find the products they want in New Zealand they will buy online and import them, therefore bypassing our local industry.

 

This is a Bill whose only benefits are for large and/or multinational companies who can afford to stay in business under this regime, and for the pharmaceutical industry. The primary goal of health legislation or regulation must be the health of New Zealanders. However this Bill does nothing to improve people’s health – in fact it will worsen the health of New Zealanders, as we would lose numerous safe and effective healthcare options.

 

REQUEST

Soil & Health asks that the Bill and associated proposed regulations be abandoned.

Submission on application for the reassessment of chlorothalonil formulations

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16 December 2016

 

Hazardous Substances

Environmental Protection Authority

Private Bag 63002

Wellington 6140

 

Submission on application for the reassessment of chlorothalonil formulations

 

Introduction

  1. The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand Inc. (‘Soil & Health’) was incorporated under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 on 4 December 1942. Soil & Health’s objectives broadly include soil health and the promotion of organic gardening and farming. It has approximately 3000 members, chiefly composed of home gardeners and consumers, organic farmers and growers, secondary producers, retailers and restaurateurs. Its age and membership make it the oldest and largest representative organic organisation in New Zealand.

 

  1. Soil & Health is opposed to the use of harmful pesticides in Aotearoa New Zealand. As an organisation we advocate for farmers and growers to adopt natural, organic, non-harmful methods of pest and disease management. We believe that researchers, farmers and growers should be encouraged to develop and implement nonchemical alternatives to pesticides that foster soil microbial life instead of destroying it.

 

  1. Soil & Health is opposed to the use of fungicides containing chlorothalonil in New Zealand. A number of independent scientific studies have raised serious concerns about the effects that chlorothalonil has on human health and the environment.

 

  1. Soil & Health therefore strongly supports the EPA’s recommendation to revoke the approval of four (HSR000480, HSR000147, HSR000586, HSR100872) non-professional use chlorothalonil formulations and to dispose of the existing stocks of these formulations within the next 6 months. However Soil & Health considers that the fifth outstanding (HSR00618) non-professional use chlorothalonil formulation considered in the application should also have its approval revoked.

Detailed submissions

Adverse effects on humans

  1. We strongly agree with and support the EPA’s statement that “the high toxicity of chlorothalonil means that serious human health effects can develop from even small exposures to chlorothalonil.” Chlorothalonil is listed on the Pesticide Action Network International list of Highly Hazardous Pesticides for global phase out.[1] Chlorothalonil is a known carcinogen, mutagen and an environmental toxin and it is thought responsible for aggravating the health effects of other pesticides. The application itself points out that the hazard classification of the substances are all classified as suspected carcinogens while several are classified as acutely toxic by inhalation, corohesive to the eye and/or as suspected mutagens. The carcinogenic classification in the application is based on findings of kidney tumours in male rats and mice and in female rats following administration in long-term toxicity studies. In a study released by the US government health staff it was found that exposure to certain pesticides, chlorothalonil increased the risks 5.6 fold and 2.4 fold respectfully, of a blood disorder that can lead to multiple myeloma.[2]

 

 

Adverse effects on the environment

  1. According to the Environmental Health Criteria 183 of the International Programme on Chemical Safety chlorothalonil is considered by the World Health Organisation and to be highly toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates.

 

  1. In a study by the University of Florida it was found that chlorothalonil killed nearly every amphibian at the approximate expected environmental concen­trations to which humans are commonly exposed. The study concluded that future studies should be carried out that directly quantify the effects that chlorothalonil has on amphibian populations and human health.[3]

 

  1. In an article published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal ‘Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology’, it was stated that despite the low water solubility of chlorothalonil it has been detected in Australian waterways, and while chlorothalonil can be readily removed from the water column by binding to sediment or suspended solids in the water, the ecotoxicological data from the literature show that it is acutely toxic to nontarget organisms at concentrations much lower than reported environmental concentrations.[4]

 

  1. Research as shown that children are the most vulnerable, up to 108 times, to fatal aerosol effects of chlorothalonil. The home use of the product increases the risk of exposure to children and adolescents.

Adverse effects of Black Spot and Fungus Spray and Watkins Fungus and Mildew Spray (HSR00618)

  1. We consider that due to the harmful effects of McGregor’s Black Spot and Fungus Spray and Watkins Fungus and Mildew Spray, the approval for these substances should also be revoked. The hazard classifications that these products fall into are fatal, suspected human mutagen, toxic to human organs, skin sensitiser, and corrosive to the eye. They are also very toxic to the aquatic environment, persistent and harmful to soil and terrestrial vertebrates (6.1B, 6.3B, 6.5B, 6.6B, 6.9A, 8.3A, 9.1A, 9.2C, 9.3C).

Failure to meet requirements under HSNO Act

  1. Due to the adverse effects of chlorothalonil listed above, we consider that if the decision-making committee decides to reject the EPA’s recommendations and continues to allow the non-professional use of chlorothalonil formulations in New Zealand it would be failing to recognise and provide for the life-supporting capacity of air, water, soil and ecosystems, as required to do under section 5(a) of the HSNO Act.

 

  1. Section 28 (2)(a) of the HSNO Act requires each application for approval to include the unequivocal on all the possible adverse effects on of the substance and its properties. We consider that this has not been met due to the EPA failing to identify the adjuvant properties of the McGregors and Watkins formulations, which increase the toxicity of pesticides.

 

  1. Section 28 (2) (b) requires that each application for approval include information on all the possible adverse effects of each substance. We consider that the EPA has also failed to meet this requirement as the EPA has not assessed the cumulative and synergistic effects of the two chemicals contained in the McGregor Watkins products, and whether they increase the hazardous rating, making this compound even more eco toxic than if applied singly.

Alternatives to chlorothalonil formulations and other toxic pesticides

  1. Conventional agriculture relies on pesticides to protect crops from pests and diseases, including synthetic herbicides to control weeds, and synthetic fertilisers to promote crop growth. Over time this heavy use of synthetic chemicals reduces the soil biota and the productive capacity of the soil, and creates increased resistance by pests to the chemicals used, as well as the resurgence of secondary pests. These chemicals are also dispersed in the environment, polluting waterways and damaging ecosystems.

 

  1. Numerous studies on the adverse impacts of pesticides and chemical fertilisers have raised awareness about the use of synthetic chemicals in agriculture, how effective they actually are in treating pests and diseases, and the impact they are having on human health as well as the wider environment. People are turning to more natural forms of pest and disease control that are more effective, sustainable and healthier in the long term.

 

  1. Organic agriculture has a holistic approach to pest and disease management that avoids the need for pesticides by instead focusing on building healthy fertile soil with abundant microbial life, fostering natural predators and using natural remedies. Truly well-nourished plants do not attract pests or provide a suitable conditions for pests and diseases to develop. Farmers and producers try to create healthy soil so that plants and animals can be healthy, and build up good natural defenses against pests and diseases. The long-term health of the soil is taken into consideration, rather than trying to deal with the immediate problem with synthetic sprays.

 

  1. The application itself points out that there are several alternatives for use in a home-setting available on the market in New Zealand. The application states that several fungicides with lower hazards are available, including horticultural oils, sulfur, and the biological fungicide (Bacillus Subtilis).

 

  1. We consider that even those fungicides currently available can easily be replaced by non-chemical biological controls that do not have an adverse effect on the environment. We therefore consider that chlorothalonil formulations do not provide any extra advantage.

Conclusion

  1. Due to the many adverse effects associated with the use of chlorothalonil formulations as well as the lack of convincing evidence of both its need and safety the Soil & Health Association consider that the decision-making committee should accept the recommendations of the EPA to take a precautionary approach as required under section 7 of the HSNO Act, and revoke the approval of four non-professional use chlorothalonil formulations (HSR000480, HSR000147, HSR000586, HSR100872) and to dispose of the existing stocks of these formulations within the next 6 months.

 

  1. We further request that the fifth (HSR00618) chlorothalonil formulation also have their approval withdrawn for any importation, storage, sale, copating, or dispersal, until international scientific evidence exonerates this fungicide from any linkage with human health impacts.

 

  1. Soil & Health wish to be in heard in support of our submission.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Name: Mischa Davis

Position: Policy Advisor

 

The Soil & Health Association

PO Box 340002

Birkenhead

Auckland 0746

Phone: 06 8775534

Mobile: 0212667754

Email: advocacy@organicnz.org.nz

Website: www.organicnz.org.nz

 

[1] PAN International List of Highly Hazardous Pesticides, Pesticides Action Network International 2011, p 15.

[2] American Society of Hematology Journal, June 2009 (2,3).

[3] The Fungicide Chlorothalonil Is Nonlinearly Associated with Corticosterone Levels, Immunity, and Mortality in Amphibians, Environmental Health Perspectives, vol 119, number 8, August 2011, p 1098.

[4] Assessing the Chronic Toxicity of Atrazine, Permethrin, and Chlorothalonil to the Cladoceran Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia in Laboratory and Natural River Water, Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (2013) 64 p 420.

Submission on Draft Regional Plan for Northland

/in

23 September 2016

 

Northland Regional Council

Private Bag 9021

Whangarei Mail Centre

Whangarei 0148

 

Submission on Draft Regional Plan for Northland

 

Submission

1.   The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand Inc. (“Soil & Health”) makes this submission on the Draft Regional Plan for Northland (“Draft Plan”) requesting that it include policies and provisions relating to the management of genetically modified organisms (“GMOs”), as allowed under the Resource Management Act 1991 and pursuant to the ruling in Federated Farmers of New Zealand v Northland Regional Council.[1] This submission relates to the Coastal Marine Area, Soil & Water and tangata whenua sections of the Draft Plan.

Reasons

The Law

  1. Soil & Health was a party to Federated Farmers of New Zealand v Northland Regional Council.
  2. That decision ruled that local councils have the power under the Resource Management Act 1991 (“RMA”) to control the use of GMOs via their regional planning instruments.
  3. That decision has recently been upheld by the High Court.[2]
  4. Soil & Health therefore considers that there is jurisdiction for Northland Regional Council (“the Council”) to make provision for objectives, policies, rules and other planning tools in relation to GMOs under the Draft Plan.

Integrated Management

  1. GMO proposals require approval from the Environmental Protection Authority (“EPA”) under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (“HSNO Act”).
  2. The HSNO Act consenting process gives particular attention to the technical aspects of managing individual proposals. However, it does not involve:
  • consideration of the geographic distribution of GMO projects;
  • consideration of the need to geographically protect areas of particular value from GMO activities, such as sensitive farming practices (e.g. organic farming);
  • consideration of the preferences of a community; or
  • integration of the management of natural and physical resources, and the effects of GMO activities on natural and physical resources, on a geographic basis.
  1. The HSNO Act does not, therefore, provide a planning framework through which GMOs can be geographically / spatially managed in an integrated manner.
  2. The RMA establishes a regime whereby local authorities are called upon to prepare policy and plans to implement sustainable management on a geographic basis through the use of integrated management of natural and physical resources at a regional level, and integrated management of effects on the environment at a district level.
  3. Consideration of the location and distribution of proposals involving GMOs on a district basis, together with protection of rural resources for organic or biodynamic farming, are important resource management matters for consideration by territorial authorities in carrying out their functions under the RMA.

Potential Adverse Effects

  1. The outdoor use of GMOs has a potential to cause significant adverse effects on the environment. Adverse effects could include (inter alia):
  • biological or ecosystem harm;
  • harm to other existing or potential forms of land use including:
  • organic farming (including organic certification and the requirement to be GMO free); and
  • agricultural activities dependent on an uncontaminated environmental brand.
  1. GMOs have the potential to adversely affect ecological, economic, and resource management values, and the social and cultural well being of people, communities and tangata whenua.
  2. Application of integrated management and a precautionary approach to GMOs under the RMA is the best available technique for managing the potential adverse effects posed by GMOs within the region.

Sustainable Management and Part II

  1. It is consistent with the sustainable management purpose and Part II of the RMA to establish regional plan provisions (e.g. issues, objectives, policies, rules and methods) that manage the release, location and management of GMOs where they have the potential to adversely affect other land use activities.

Decision Sought

  1. The decision Soil & Health seeks from the Council is that the Draft Plan be amended to include the following policies:
  2. To include GMO provisions in the ‘Tangata whenua’ section of the Draft Plan.

 

  1. To include GMO provisions in the ‘Coastal space’ and ‘Coastal works’ sections of the Draft Plan that are the same as in the Auckland Unitary Plan, that being to adopt a precautionary approach to the management of GMOs by:
  2. prohibiting the outdoor release of a GMO in the Coastal space
  3. making outdoor field-testing a discretionary activity in the Coastal space; and
  • including performance standards in regard to liability and the posting of bonds.

 

  1. To include GMO provisions in the ‘Land & water’ and the ‘Discharges to land and water’ sections of the Draft Plan that avoids toxic discharges to land & water from GMOs, thereby avoiding transgenic contamination of soils & waterways.

 

  1. To adopt a resource management framework for the management of GMOs that is Regional specific taking into account environmental, economic and social well-being considerations.

 

  1. Soil & Health considers that it is important that there is consistency between the Auckland Unitary Plan and the Regional Plan for Northland, thereby eliminating cross boundary issues.

 

  1. Soil & Health wishes to be heard in support of our submission.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Name: Mischa Davis

Position: Policy Advisor

 

The Soil & Health Association

PO Box 340002

Birkenhead

Auckland 0746

Phone: 06 8775534

Mobile: 0212667754

Email: advocacy@organicnz.org.nz

Website: www.organicnz.org.nz

[1] Federated Farmers of New Zealand v Northland Regional Council [2015] NZEnvC 89.

[2] Federated Farmers of New Zealand v Northland Regional Council [2016] NZHC 2036.

Submission on Food Safety Law Reform Bill  

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Submission to: Committee Secretariat, Primary Production
Submission Author: Mischa Davis
Thursday, September 22, 2016

 

Submission on Food Safety Law Reform Bill

 

Introduction

1. The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand Inc. (Soil & Health) was incorporated under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 on 4 December 1942. Soil & Health’s objectives broadly include soil health and the promotion of organic gardening and farming. It has approximately 3000 members, chiefly composed of home gardeners and consumers, organic farmers and growers, secondary producers, retailers and restaurateurs. Its age and membership make it the oldest and largest representative organic organisation in New Zealand.

 

2. Soil & Health welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Food Safety Law Reform Bill (Bill). To know our food is safe, free from contamination and harmful residues is a fundamental human right. However the right to know exactly what we are eating is often taken away and even routinely denied to us. While growing our own food or buying local and organic food remains the best way to ensure that we know what we are eating and how it is grown, we must also know what has been sprayed onto crops and soil, added to foods, and used in the processing of the food we purchase.

 

3. Soil & Health is committed to advocating for clear and honest food labeling in Aotearoa New Zealand. We believe that transparent food labeling is fundamental in allowing people to make informed choices. Soil & Health therefore opposes any changes in the bill that may undermine food labeling in New Zealand.

 

Detailed submission

 

4. Soil & Health recognizes that food safety is an issue in New Zealand. There is a growing awareness in society of how food determines health and people are now demanding to know what is in their food and how it is grown.

 

5. We believe that everyone has a right to safe and nutritious food that is grown in a way that enhances the environment. This covers the right to have food free from microbial contamination, harmful organisms, pesticides, harmful chemicals and heavy metal contaminants, harmful additives, irradiation and genetic engineering. We believe in the right of people to equip themselves the knowledge to make informed food choices. This is only achievable through clear and transparent food labeling.

 

6. Soil & Health strongly supports:

 

a) Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling (MCooL). We are disappointed that the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and successive governments have continually blocked MCooL and that there is only voluntary country of origin labeling by some supermarkets. We know that employment conditions vary between countries and support for different countries can play into people’s food purchasing decisions.

 

b) Labeling of the origin and production method for all meat, eggs and dairy products used in any food, and the source of all seafood. The country where the product is processed should also be identified.

 

c) Labeling standards for animal welfare claims.

 

d) All oils (e.g. palm oil, canola etc.) being specifically declared as an ingredient where used, not just as a ‘vegetable oil’.

 

e) Regulations and guidelines on claims about natural, sustainable, locally produced, fairly traded, and organic, being developed to ensure that people are not misled or deceived.

 

f) GE foods or foods containing GE ingredients being labeled as including or containing GE ingredients. We consider that GE food is inherently risky and is produced unsustainably, mostly with the use of large amounts of glyphosate based herbicides or similar, and can also include toxins engineered to be throughout the food. Trans-Tasman food standards accepted by New Zealand include GE Food labelling, and MPI’s role is to monitor and enforce food standards including that of GE Food, however this has not happened since 2003. We are disappointed that the existing food labeling law is being ignored and that we cannot easily choose between GE or not. Many processed foods have GE components in them however this is almost never declared.

 

g) Labeling of any irradiated food or food ingredient. There have been numerous scientific studies on the harmful effects of food irradiation on human health. Irradiation changes the molecular structure of food, potentially forming toxic chemicals linked to: cancer, organ damage, genetic mutations, immune system disorders, tumours, stunted growth, reproductive problems and nutritional deficiencies. Irradiated foods however, especially from Australia, are becoming more common as some other measures to prevent the risk of Queensland fruit fly coming in through fruit and veges have been stopped. Australian tomatoes, courgettes, capsicum, papaya, mango, lychee, melons and more, are likely to be irradiated. We understand that Queensland fruit fly is an issue, however consider that there are better means of dealing with this issue, such as other phyto-sanitary methods. In in the meantime we consider that all irradiated food should be clearly labeled, as intended by the Trans-Tasman regulations. Currently irradiated food labels are difficult to recognize and causes confusion for consumers. In some cases there may not be any labeling at all. We consider that the words “irradiated” or “treated with irradiation” or “treated with ionizing radiation” should be used very clearly on labels.

 

h) Meaningful pesticide residue testing. MPI has the responsibility of ensuring food is safe from pesticide residues. The Trans-Tasman agency Food Standards Australia New Zealand with input from MPI determines what are said to be safe Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) for fruit and vegetables. MRLs are set so that farmers know how much to limit their pesticide use to stay within the regulators established safety parameters of MRLs. We do not agree with the assumptions made around setting pesticide residue safety limits, as combinations of different types of chemicals are rarely considered, and settings do not adequately consider the vulnerability of developing children. We consider that the safety assessment guidelines have been developed with too much influence from industry and are therefore not independent and miss important human health risks because of narrow guidelines. Further we consider that MPI does not adequately police pesticide residues. MPI is already more than a year late in reporting the normally 5 yearly New Zealand Total Diet Study (NZTDS). The NZTDS assesses exposure to chemical residues, contaminants and selected nutrients from foods representative of the average diet within the New Zealand population. MPI considers any residue under the MRL is safe and focuses on the results that are over MRLs. We consider that MPI misrepresents the results. For example MPI fails to communicate to consumers that not all foods are tested for glyphosate and that most fruit and vegetables in the supermarket will have at least one pesticide residue. We consider that MPI needs to test more often and ensure that consumers know what is really in their food.

 

i) Supporting small scale and local growers and producers. Small food enterprises such as artisan cheese producers, small herd raw milk suppliers, bakers, and preserves sellers, Farmers Markets stall holders and gate sales add to our society and can include the experiences of choice, variety, taste and flavour and closer connection between suppliers and consumers, urban and rural. We consider that exemptions should be included in the Food Act 2014 and Animal Products Act 1999 that explicitly allow for requirements and charges for small business operators to be kept to a minimum and not harmonized with the charges required for larger enterprises, where failure in food safety can result in much more significant outcomes. The Food Act 2014 was never intended to create onerous compliance requirements on small producers and processes, however this is exactly what has happened. The Bill is an opportunity to correct that. We consider that the government should encourage more variety into both rural and urban food choices.

 

Conclusion

7. Soil & Health requests that GE and irradiated food is sufficiently labelled to allow people to make informed choices without being misled and that better compliance enforcement is included in this Food Safety Law Reform exercise.

 

8. We believe in the right of people to be able to access safe and nutritious food, grow diverse and nutritious food, and equip themselves with the resources and knowledge needed to sustain themselves and their communities. The Food Safety Reform Bill should allow and provide for this.

 

9. Soil & Health wish to be in heard in support of our submission.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Name: Mischa Davis

Position: Policy Advisor

 

The Soil & Health Association

PO Box 340002

Birkenhead

Auckland 0746

 

Phone: 06 8775534

Mobile: 0212667754

Email: advocacy@organicnz.org.nz

Website: www.organicnz.org.nz 

Pesticide/neonicotinoid submission

/in
Submission to: Hazardous Substances, Environmental Protection Agency
Submission Author: Mischa Davis, Policy Advisor
Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Hazardous Substances
Environmental Protection Authority
Private Bag 63002
Wellington 6140
Submission on application to import the insecticide Celsius

Introduction

1.    The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand Inc. (Soil & Health) was incorporated under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 on 4 December 1942. Soil & Health’s objectives broadly include soil health and the promotion of organic gardening and farming. It has approximately 3000 members, chiefly composed of home gardeners and consumers, organic farmers and growers, secondary producers, retailers and restaurateurs. Its age and membership make it the oldest and largest representative organic organisation in New Zealand.

2.    Soil & Health is opposed to the use of harmful pesticides in Aotearoa New Zealand. As an organisation we advocate for farmers and growers to adopt natural, organic, non-harmful methods of pest and disease management. We believe that researchers, farmers and growers should be encouraged to develop and implement nonchemical alternatives to pesticides that foster soil microbial life instead of destroying it.

3.    Soil & Health opposes the application to import Celsius into New Zealand due to it containing Thiamethoxam as the active ingredient, which is a toxic neonicotinoid. A number of independent scientific studies have raised serious concerns about the effect neonicotinoids such as Thiamethoxam have on honeybees. A number of countries have banned the use of neonicotinoids due to their harmful effect on bees, until further research is completed. We consider that New Zealand should follow suit.

Detailed submissions

Thiamethoxam
4.    We are aware that Thiamethoxam is already approved for use in New Zealand by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and is registered as an insecticide by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). We understand that this neonicotinoid is already widely used in the New Zealand environment. It was introduced in 1997 in New Zealand, then approved for use in almost all European countries and also registered in the USA and Australia. We consider that the use of this neonicotinoid is already contributing to Colony Collapse Disorder in bees.
EU ban on Thiamethoxam

5.    In 2013 The European Commission voted in favour of a two-year ban of three neonicotinoids, due to their adverse effects on insect populations and a dramatic drop in bee population, and was backed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The three neonicotinoids were banned from use for two years on flowering crops such as corn, oilseed rape and sunflowers, upon which bees feed. Included in these three was Thiamethoxam. 15 out of a total 27 EU member states supported this restriction. It was stated by EFSA that they posed an “unacceptable” danger to bees. EFSA is currently undergoing a review of this ban however the results of the review could strengthen and tighten the current ban.

Adverse effects of Thiamethoxam
a)    Adverse effects on bees
We disagree with the proposition in the application that Celsius is unlikely to pose a risk to bees and other beneficials when used as intended. Since 2006 honeybees have been dying at a staggering rate in many parts of the world due to Colony Collapse Disorder. Research has shown that neonicotinoids, including Thiamethoxam, are highly toxic to a range of insects, including honeybees and other pollinators. Neonicitinoids can cause significant issues for the health of individual honeybees as well as the overall health of the honeybee colonies. Effects include disruptions in mobility, navigation, feeding behaviours, foraging activity, memory and learning and overall hive activity. Scientists are concerned that exposure to even low doses of neonicotinoids can confuse bees, making it difficult for them to source nutrition or safely return to their hives. One study has suggested that Thiamethoxam, at certain levels, can have negative effects on the bees’ pollination abilities, causing colonies to visit fewer flowers and return with less pollen, and resulting in apples with fewer seeds. This in turn can result in poor fruit quality and a risk of decreased agricultural output down the line. Bees and other insects are vital for global food production as they pollinate three-quarters of all crops. New Zealand’s bee population contribute about $5 billion to our economy annually. MPI has even stated: “Bees are crucial to New Zealand’s primary sector, pollinating around one third of our food sources”. New Zealand’s mānuka honey is internationally renowned and a unique high value export. It is some of the highest valued honey in the world.

b)    Adverse effects on waterways
We disagree with the proposition in the application that the use pattern and controls will mean that exposure to aquatic environments is highly unlikely. The application itself states that Thiamethoxam has a high degree of aquatic ecotoxicity and is harmful to aquatic organisms. We consider that exposure to aquatic environments is inevitable through rain and run-off, the application even states this:  “Celsius could be washed off into waterways following application, resulting in exposure of aquatic organisms.“ The application further states “under conditions of normal use, the product is not expected to end up in water bodies or water ways. It is to be applied at a water rate that ensures complete coverage but without runoff into water bodies” and that “Therefore, Celsius is not expected to pose significant risks to the aquatic.” We argue that ‘normal use’ is not a sufficient indicator of what use is, nor does the application describe what normal use is. A report by the organization Arinka funded by the European Union stated that Thiamethoxam is “very toxic to aquatic organisms/may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic Environment.  New Zealand’s waterways are already in a dire state with a staggering 62% of monitored waterways being unsafe for swimming. We consider that allowing the importation of Celsius into New Zealand will further put New Zealand’s waterways as risk.

c)    Adverse effects on humans
We disagree with the application in its statements that “the herbicide presents a low risk to humans and the environment when handled and used correctly.” Due to Thiamethoxam being used as a pesticide on crops we consider that there is a real possibility that residues may contaminate crops. There are various long-term effects associated with particular pesticides that are found in our food, including endocrine or hormonal disruption, cancer, immune system effects, nervous system damage, genetic damage, infertility and birth defects. There is also the risk of occupational exposure, which may occur though inhalation and dermal contact when Celsius is being applied in the field. Mild to moderate poisoning of Thiamethoxam can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, headache, and mild sedation. Severe poisoning can cause seizures, coma, respiratory failure, and even death. Furthermore the application admits that there is a risk that spray drift could occur “resulting in off-target effects and bystander exposure”. We consider that merely having “an economic incentive to ensure the product is applied under circumstances that maximize the amount of active reaching the target area” is not going to mitigate the risk of spray drift.
Failure to meet requirements under HSNO Act

6.    Due to the adverse effects of Thiamethoxam listed above, we consider that if the EPA allows for the importation of Celsius into New Zealand it would be failing to recognise and provide for the life-supporting capacity of air, water, soil and ecosystems, as required to do under section 5(a) of the HSNO Act.

7.    Section 6(e) of the HSNO Act requires the EPA to take into account the economic and related benefits and costs of using a particular hazardous substance. New Zealand’s agriculture and horticulture industry is an important one. We have a large fruit production and export economy. In light of the importance of honeybees and other pollinators to New Zealand’s agriculture and horticulture we consider that importing Celsius into New Zealand puts these industries at risk. If bee populations continue to decline the cost of replacing bee pollinators by other methods in New Zealand would be impossible. The result therefore would be a drop in crop production, a huge rise in food prices, and probably loss of international markets.

8.    We consider allowing Celsius to be imported into New Zealand would adversely affect the sustainability of native and introduced flora and fauna, the intrinsic value of ecosystems, and the relationship of all New Zealanders, especially Maori over their culture and traditions, regarding valued fauna. We consider that the economic loss involved in the matters outlined above outweighs the economic gains of using the pesticide.
Alternatives to Celsius and other toxic pesticides

9.    Conventional agriculture relies on pesticides to protect crops from pests and diseases, including synthetic herbicides to control weeds, and synthetic fertilisers to promote crop growth. Over time this heavy use of synthetic chemicals reduces the soil biota and the productive capacity of the soil, and creates increased resistance by pests to the chemicals used, as well as the resurgence of secondary pests. These chemicals are also dispersed in the environment, polluting waterways and damaging ecosystems.

10.    Numerous studies on the adverse impacts of pesticides and chemical fertilisers have raised awareness about the use of synthetic chemicals in agriculture, how effective they actually are in treating pests and diseases, and the impact they are having on human health as well as the wider environment. People are turning to more natural forms of pest and disease control that are more effective, sustainable and healthier in the long term.

11.    Organic agriculture has a holistic approach to pest and disease management that avoids the need for pesticides by instead focusing on building healthy fertile soil with abundant microbial life, fostering natural predators and using natural remedies. Truly well-nourished plants do not attract pests or provide a suitable conditions for pests and diseases to develop. Farmers and producers try to create healthy soil so that plants and animals can be healthy, and build up good natural defenses against pests and diseases. The long-term health of the soil is taken into consideration, rather than trying to deal with the immediate problem with synthetic sprays.

12.    There are already many similar insecticides on the market in New Zealand. We consider that even those insecticides currently available can easily be replaced by non-chemical biological controls that do not have an adverse effect on the environment. We therefore consider that Celsius does not provide any extra advantage.

Conclusion
13.    Due to the many adverse effects associated with the use of Celsius as well as the lack of convincing evidence of both its need and safety we consider the EPA must take a precautionary approach as required under section 7 of the HSNO Act, and decline this application.

14.    We further request that all existing products using Thiamethoxam have their approval withdrawn for any importation, storage, sale, copating, or dispersal, until international scientific evidence exonerates this neonicotinoid from any linkage with honey bee deaths and Colony Collapse Disorder.

15.    Soil & Health wish to be in heard in support of our submission.

Yours sincerely

Mischa Davis
Policy Advisor

The Soil & Health Association
PO Box 340002
Birkenhead
Auckland 0746
Phone: 06 8775534
Mobile: 0212667754
Email: advocacy@organicnz.org.nz
Website: www.organicnz.org.nz