Re: [pf] New Zealand and GE stuff

At 22:14 4/11/2001 -0600, you wrote:
>David,
>    What are the Greens going to do?  Will they withdraw their support
from the NZ government?
>                                        Jill
>
{· A yes-no, right-wrong, open-shut, black-white, simple response is no good}


· I quoted the NZ Greens' co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons on this, in my:
http://csf.colorado.edu/mail/pfvs/2001IV/msg00672.html . That was _before_
the Labour Party made public its decision.

· The Greens have got a lot of what they wanted; see Jeanette Fitzsimons':
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00518.htm ; in full in the
second section below. She comments on the "withdraw support from the NZ
government" option; note that this would not necessarily "bring down the
Government", and even if it did, current law allows not only field trials
but commercial release, so who knows what the next government may do (if
anything)?


· The question is rather: How can the Greens (with 5%-7% support) get as
close as possible to what they want. This next bit is from Government press
releases.
{My wife will be staying in town after work today to attend a Greens
meeting, to help decide the stance and actions of the Greens. She may
decide to stay in town overnight at the Youth Hostel).}


· Prime Minister Helen Clark said “We will not close the door on science,
but nor will we allow unrestricted use and development of genetically
modified organisms.”

· So the Labour-Alliance coalition decision was:
- “we are putting in place a two-year constraint period on the release of
genetically modified organisms while further research is undertaken, and
legislating to ensure that research occurs only under strict conditions.”
 “further work needs to be carried out so that we fully understand the
implications of this science.” “in keeping up to date with the latest
technologies we must not compromise the health and safety of our people and
our environment”

· The Minister for the Environment, Marian Hobbs said: "No genetically
modified organisms will be released for at least the next two years except
if they are specifically approved to protect health and no GM food will be
grown in New Zealand for the forseeable future."
  "But we will maintain our edge in biotechnology and medical research by
ensuring research can continue under contained conditions with mandatory
controls and monitoring.
 We already have the strictest controls in the world for contained research
and we are making them stronger.
 We will legislate to require the Environmental Risk Management Authority
to impose the strictest possible safety standards on applications approved
for contained research rather than allow ERMA discretion in the exercise of
its powers.
 Marian Hobbs said the government accepted the broad outline of the Royal
Commission's strategy, preserving opportunities and proceeding with
caution, but did not accept all the proposals for implementing that strategy.
 A two-year constraint period will apply on commercial release but
contained research under laboratory-type conditions will be permitted on a
case-by-case basis. Legislation will be passed to implement the constraint
period and ensure that ERMA applies strict health and environmental
safeguards.
 During the constraint period work will also be done to establish a
Bioethics Council, as recommended by the Commission.
 We strongly endorsed this recommendation," Marian Hobbs said. "The
Bioethics Council will play a vital role in cultural, ethical and spiritual
issues, which are right up there alongside our concern for the health of
our society."

Other work over the next two years will consider: 
· the economic impact of the release of any GM crop on the strategy of
preserving opportunities 
· conditional release and co-existence of GM with different forms of
agriculture 
· a biotechnology strategy 
· liability issues
  The balance of the Commission's recommendations will be considered by
ministers in the next week. "I am pleased the government has taken the
precautionary approach," Marian Hobbs said.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00518.htm
  is:

 Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons today said the Government had ignored
the wishes of nearly two thirds of New Zealanders by lifting the moratorium
on GE field trials.
 "Sixty two per cent of New Zealanders said last week that they did not
want GE outside the lab. The lifting of this moratorium shows Government is
more concerned about business than the views of voters," she said.
 Ms Fitzsimons said she was pleased the Government had agreed to a
legislated two year moratorium on GE release, but said the Greens would
fight through the next election for a GE free New Zealand.
 As the only party in Parliament committed to a GE free future we will now
push harder than ever to represent the majority of New Zealanders who
believe that GE has no place in Aotearoa outside the lab. 
 This package is not a middle of the road solution. It is not Green policy
and we have not signed up to it. A middle of the road solution would be one
that appealed to a majority of voters and that majority is quite clear that
they do not want field trials and or any use of GE out in the environment.
 Ms Fitzsimons said the Greens had pushed the Government as far and as hard
as they could in negotiations on this issue and that the final package was
significantly better than earlier proposals.
 "These gains we have made on preventing commercial release in this country
are too important to risk by withdrawing confidence from the Government. A
multinational company was ready to commercially release a GE crop here in
1999 but it did not go ahead, it's now 2001 and we've gained a further two
year breathing space."
 Ms Fitzsimons said the Greens will be looking very closely at the detail
of the Government's legislation.
 The conditions around field trial use might still allow most field trials
to go ahead, given the way ERMA has interpreted its Act so far. The
commission's recommendation that research around horizontal gene transfer
and impacts on soil and ecology should be done before release went ahead
has not been met.
 The Greens accept the exemption to release for human vaccines, but are
very concerned about the exemption allowing possible widespread use of GE
animal vaccines and the risk to the environment.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Scoop press release list: Alastair Thompson. Tues. 30 October, 4:24 pm NZT:

 Green (Tinged Yellow) Light Given To GE Research

 - Prime Minister Helen Clark said today that the government's
response to the report of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification
would ensure that science continued to play a key role in the
development of New Zealand in the 21st Century. Science will
play key role in 21st Century [1]   FULL COVERAGE:
 •  NZ Government -  Frequently asked questions about GM decisions [2]  
 •  Marian Hobbs -  Win-win for environment and research [3]  
 •  Pete Hodgson -  GM research: forward with caution [4]  
 •  ACT -  Govt Must Now Show Genuine Support For GM [5]  
 •  Fonterra - GM Decision [6]  
 •  Federated Farmers -  GM Decision Keeps Options Open for NZ Farmers [7]  
 •  Libertarianz -  Clark Sells Out Science to Stone Age [8]  
 •  Employers And Manufacturers -  GM decision the right one for now [9]  
 •  ACRI - Association of Crown Research Institutes On GM [10]  
 •  Life Sciences Network -  Govt decision a victory for commonsense  [11]  

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00506.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00508.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00507.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00505.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00512.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0110/S00180.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0110/S00176.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0110/S00175.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0110/S00174.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0110/S00173.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0110/S00172.htm

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Scoop press release list: Alastair Thompson. Weds., 31 October, 4:26 pm NZT:

 --==##==--
 GE Direct Action Begins – ERMA Occupied

 -  Scoop understands that direct action against Genetic Engineering
- expected in the wake of yesterday's decision to allow contained
field trials - has begun already with the occupation of the Environmental
Risk Management Authority [ERMA] premises ... See…
 •  Anti-GE Direct Action Begins [1] .
 Meanwhile Three thousand New Zealanders have pledged to help remove
genetic engineering field trials and planning for action is underway. See…
 •  Green Gloves Direct Action Pledge [2]  


[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0110/S00170.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0110/S00186.htm

 --==##==--
 GE Decision Offensive To Cultural Values – Maori Caucus

 - Genetic modification strikes at the core values of Maori and
we are committed to ensuring those values are able to be upheld,
says Labour's Maori Caucus. See...
 •  Labour Maori Caucus on GM [1]
   OTHER MAORI PERSPECTIVES:
 •  Sandra Lee - Maori will welcome enhanced protection  [2]  
 •  Willie Jackson - Maori concerns about GM get serious attention [3]  


[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00522.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00521.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00517.htm

 --==##==--
Alliance Satisfied With GE Decision

 - 'The new regulations on GE trials announced by Government today are a
great improvement on the moratorium ensuring the safety and security of GE
trials,' says Phillida Bunkle Alliance environment spokesperson. See...
 •  New regulations better than a moratorium  [1]  and
 •  The Alliance has achieved its strong policy on GE [2] 


[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00524.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00527.htm

 --==##==--
FULL COVERAGE OF POSITIVE REACTION:

 •  Life Sciences Network: Greenpeace Resorts To Mistruths - Again [1]  
 •  Interchurch Commission: Interchurch Commission On GE Responds To Report
[2]  •  Peter Dunne - GE Decision At Outer Limit Of Public Acceptability [3]  
 •  Winston Peters - GE Debate Just Commencing  [4]   
 •  Helen Clark - Science will play key role in 21st Century [5]  
 •  NZ Government -  Frequently asked questions about GM decisions [6]  
 •  Marian Hobbs -  Win-win for environment and research [7]  
 •  Pete Hodgson -  GM research: forward with caution [8]  
 •  ACT -  Govt Must Now Show Genuine Support For GM [9]  
 •  Fonterra - GM Decision [10]  
 •  Federated Farmers -  GM Decision Keeps Options Open for NZ Farmers [11]
 •  Employers And Manufacturers -  GM decision the right one for now [12]  
 •  ACRI - Association of Crown Research Institutes On GM [13]  
 •  Life Sciences Network -  Govt decision a victory for commonsense  [14] 

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0110/S00187.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0110/S00191.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00536.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00523.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00506.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00508.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00507.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00505.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00512.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0110/S00180.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0110/S00176.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0110/S00174.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0110/S00173.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0110/S00172.htm

 --==##==--
GE Feedback: Your Instinks Are In Your Jeans

 - In this edition: It Ain't Meme, Babe… - It's Only Natural – It Just
Ain't Natural – Les We GE. See...
 •  Scoop Feedback: GE, GE, GE… & GE [1] 

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0110/S00166.htm

 --==##==--
 Government Ignores Two Thirds Of NZers - Greens

 - Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons today said the Government had
ignored the wishes of nearly two thirds of New Zealanders by lifting the
moratorium on GE field trials. See...
 •  GE decision not 'middle of the road' [1]  

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0110/S00518.htm

 --==##==--
FULL COVERAGE OF NEGATIVE REACTION:

 •  GE Free NZ -  Need for local GE Free zones highlighted [1]
 •  Bio-Gro NZ - Govt Decision on GM ignores organic industry [2]  
 •  Greenpeace -  GE free NZ now up to the people [3] 
 •  Libertarianz -  Clark Sells Out Science to Stone Age [4]  


[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0110/S00183.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0110/S00182.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0110/S00181.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0110/S00175.htm

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
David.
David MacClement [davd @ ihug.co.nz] (remove spaces)
http://davd.tripod.com/GrRR-011102_titles.html#top
http://www.geocities.com/davd.geo/index.html#top
***********************************************

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