10,000 Voices – Submissions to the Gene Technology Bill close 17th February
The Gene Technology Bill was drafted to facilitate the development of a global GMO sector in New Zealand and was presented to parliament in December.
If passed New Zealand will become the most deregulated and permissive country in the world with regard to the environmental release of novel, genetically modified organisms and the use gene-editing applications in our food production systems. If passed our ability produce and market natural, unmodified foods will be critically impacted.
Key aspects of the Bill include:
- deregulation to facilitate full development and release of genetically modified organisms and applications in our natural and productive environments;
- removal of the ability for communities or regions to declare themselves “GE Free Zones”;
- redefinition of legal terms to effectively remove labelling and traceability of GMO’s within our production and food systems;
- removal of the precautionary principle from legal and regulatory considerations.
Protect our right to produce and consume safe, natural and unmodified foods both now and in the future:
- Make a submission
Anyone and everyone can make a submission on the Gene Technology Bill that was presented to parliament in December.
Visit https://www.oanz.org/gefree-future-activation-toolkit for the most recent information and full details on how to make a submission
Also please find attached the 1 page submission made by our resident geneticist Jack Heinemann. - Share information with your networks
If you care about this issue please activate your networks.
I have attached a series of social medial panels that that has been created by OANZ (Organic Aotearoa New Zealand) that can be used to easily communicate the issue.
If this Bill passes we will all wish we had done more to stop it. Small actions each together!
ABOUT OFNZ
OrganicFarmNZ (OFNZ) is a not-for-profit organisation. Our mandate is to increase the community’s understanding of organic principles and the practice of organic gardening and farming in New Zealand.
OFNZ-certified members are entitled to utilize the BioGro Organic Standards.
Through BioGro, members can access a free, searchable public database of certified organic inputs.
Gardening and farming organically has benefits for our health, the welfare of animals and the state of our environment.
OFNZ members and supporters belong to Regional Groups, which have two main roles; organic education and organic certification.
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Organic education:
OFNZ members and committees provide opportunities for members and the public to learn more about organic gardening and farming in a variety of ways.
Regional groups hold talks, farm visits and workshops. Some regional groups hold regular working bees, and all regional groups help support members with encouragement and knowledge to grow organically.
Organic certification:
As a means of fulfilling its objectives, OFNZ provides an organic certification system for producers supplying the New Zealand market.
OrganicFarmNZ certification is designed for the small-grower to be low-cost, educative and supportive. The income from the certification process is used to support, educate and encourage more people to adopt organic principles in horticulture and farming.
OrganicFarmNZ supports local organic food production. It is food grown by locals for locals.
Organic community:
We encourage our members and the public to support the growth of organics in New Zealand.
One way you can do this is by joining – www.organicnz.org.nz. Members will receive regular updates from both Soil & Health NZ, one of the world’s oldest organisations dedicated to organic production and OrganicNZ their publishing identity.
Since 1941 Soil & Health has actively promoted organic production, educated people about living organic and sustainable lifestyles, and campaigned on things like nutritious food, reducing pesticide use, natural health care and keeping New Zealand GE Free We are committed to advocating our maxim “Healthy Soil – Healthy Food – Healthy People / Oranga nuku – Oranga kai – Oranga tangata ” and to creating an organic New Zealand.
We also encourage you to shop at Farmers’ Markets; they are an example of the increasing bio-regionalism taking hold around the world as consumers seek to connect with producers of fresh food and a means of reducing our impact on the environment.