LETTERS District councils’ GE-free appeal welcome
GE-Free Northland would like to thank both Far North District Council and Whanga¯ rei District Council for voting unanimously to lodge an appeal against Northland Regional Council's recent controversial GE/ GMO decision to exclude all precautionary and prohibitive GE/ GMO provisions from the proposed new Regional Plan.
Our community group was delighted to learn that our local district councils have lodged a joint appeal, working collaboratively in a fiscally responsible manner to challenge the regional council on this important biosecurity, economic and environmental matter.
The councils’ action, if successful, will help avoid far higher costs (which could reach the millions) if an overseas multinational, private company or NZ Crown Research Institute lodge an application for an outdoor GE/GMOs experiment/ field trial/ aquaculture experiment/ release in the Coastal Marine Area of the entire region.
Any such application to the EPA has historically been “rubber stamped” for approval by the EPA despite the significant risks to our biosecurity, existing GM-free primary producers and wider environment, and inadequate liability provisions under the HSNO Act.
As identified by Local Government NZ and many councils, including all councils from south AucklandCape Reinga, there is no mandatory requirement for the EPA to take a precautionary approach to outdoor GE/GMO applications. GE-Free Northland is also seeking relief against NRC.
We thank all those who have made donations, large and small, to our community group.
As the cost of legal counsel and top planners will be considerable, we welcome further donations.
Martin Robinson Spokesman, GE-Free Northland
Abortion bill
Both mother and child (or children) deserve the right to life, nurture and protection.
The abortion reform bill erodes all rights for the most vulnerable members of our society, our preborn children, even until the very end of pregnancy. The mother gains more power to choose her path, while the baby has no choice at all.
There is no recognition of its heart beating, its brain working, its separate blood supply, its gender, its legs kicking, sucking its thumb, listening to music or its mother’s voice. These things are not seen in any body part, such as a limb or a liver, yet the human baby’s legal status is not considered to be any better. Unless the baby is wanted, it may be considered worthless.
Cruelty to animals is clearly unacceptable — but how can we be humane to animals and inhumane to our own baby humans?
If you are concerned, a submission can be written to the select committee before September 19.
Go to www.parliament.nz
J Gillgren Hikurangi