And so to court

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 together in a fiscally responsible manner to challenge NRC 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 Auckland-Cape 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. Our bank account (ANZ) is 01 0382 0009202 00, or cheques can be posted to: Secretary, GE Free Northland, PO Box 1439, Whanga¯ rei 0140.

Thank you for your support so that we can continue doing the good work we do, to benefit the Northland region. MARTIN ROBINSON

GE Free Northland