Stand with Soil & Health for democracy on GE!

Soil & Health is standing up for the rights of all New Zealanders to have a say on GMOs in their region. Now we need your support to cover the legal and organisational costs that this demands. We’ve been winning in the Environment Court, defending the rights of councils to control the use of GMOs in their regions, and are committed to continuing to stand up to protect Aotearoa’s GE free status. To do this effectively we need to be well funded, so can you chip in and help fund Soil and Health’s ongoing GE free campaigning and legal work?

Soil & Health needs your help to pay costs of $35,000 associated with a High Court case that took place in Whangarei on February 9th and 10th, 2016. This was to protect local councils ability to decide whether or not GMOs are released or field-trialed in their regions and, if so, whether any conditions should be placed on them. We anticipate similar court cases in the future so are also asking for funds now that will prepare us for those. We want to continue to stand up for your right to decide about GE in your area.

Please consider contributing $50 or even $100 or whatever you can afford. Your support will help to maintain the ability of the Association to campaign and advocate on this very important issue.

Please help get this fundraising push out there by sharing the Give A Little page with your networks.

Background on GMOs and GE:

Genetically modified organisms (GMO) also known as genetic engineering (GE), is one of the most controversial technologies of recent times. Soil & Health has found no economic, health or environmental case for GE. There is huge uncertainty around the adverse effects of GMOs on natural resources and ecosystems. GE contamination would threaten the valuable GE-free status of farmers, growers, and even whole regions. Aotearoa NZ has everything to gain from staying clean, green and GE-free, and we want to keep it that way!

Court case background:

In February this year, we teamed up with GE Free Northland, Taitokerau mana whenua and others, in the Whangarei High Court, responding to an appeal brought by Federated Farmers on the GE issue.

Federated Farmers appealed the Environment Court’s precedent-setting ruling that regional councils have the power under the RMA to control the use of GMOs in their plans and policies. The Environment Court decision came about after Federated Farmers challenged Northland Regional Council on their proposed Regional Policy Statement, which included a policy requiring that a precautionary approach be taken to the introduction of GMOs in the region.

For more information on the GE and GMO issue and the court case please visit our website:

www.organicnz.org.nz