GE Action sites:

GE-Free New Zealand in food and environment (GE-Free NZ)
http://www.gefree.org.nz/"
Grassroots organisation working for a GE-Free NZ.

GE-Free register
http://www.gefreeregister.co.nz/
Go here to enroll your NZ property (rental or owned) as GE-Free.

GeneEthics Network Australia
http://www.geneethics.org/
Campaigning for a precautionary approach to using GE in Australia, website gives strong responses from GeneEthics to the latest GE developments there, often directly relevant to NZ.

Greenpeace
http://www.greenpeace.org.nz/campaigns/ge
Keeps you up-to-date with anti-GE campaigns organised by Greenpeace

Maori Environmental Business Network
http://wms-soros.mngt.waikato.ac.nz/NR/exeres/5F2D0208-4029-4DCC-B7F5-2CE1D0FCC83D.htm
Network for environmentally sustainable businesses, setting up Maori GE-free register for land, businesses and marae.

Mothers Against Genetic Engineering (MAdGE)
http://www.madge.net.nz/
Site for NZ mothers featuring purse power and high-profile actions

People’s Moratorium
http://www.gefreepeople.net/
Co-ordinating action to keep NZ GE-Free after the lifting of the moratorium in October 2003.

People’s Moratorium Enforcement Agency (PMEA)
http://www.pmea.org.nz/
Advocates of direct action

The ‘Big March’
http://www.thebigmarch.net/
Photos from the last big GE-Free march in Auckland, October 2003.

True Food Guide
http://www.gefreefood.org.nz
A Kiwi shoppers guide to avoiding GE food.

List of other groups working on GE
http://www.greenpages.org.nz/groups.asp?CategoryID=11
Contact details for other groups (often regional) working towards a GE-Free NZ.

What is GE?
Bioethics Council
http://www.bioethics.org.nz/publications/human-genes-reflections-jan04/html/page16.html
Technical but readable explanation of what genes are and how they work.

Physicians and Scientists for Responsible Application of Science and Technology
http://www.psrast.org/gefirstintro.htm
A simple rundown about GE written by scientists for beginners.

More on the Risks of GE (Kiwi):
Green Party of Aotearoa/New Zealand
http://www.greens.org.nz/campaigns/ge/
Only NZ political party to campaign against releasing GE organisms and GE food here.

NZ Institute of Gene Ecology
http://www.nzige.canterbury.ac.nz/
NZ scientists looking at the impacts of GE from a more holistic approach.

Physicians and Scientists for Responsible Genetics (PSRG)
http://www.psrg.org.nz/
NZ scientists concerned about the risks of releasing GE here.

Sustainability Council of New Zealand
http://www.sustainabilitynz.org/
Group of high-profile Kiwis advocating for GE-Free food production

More on the Risks of GE (Overseas):
Ag BioTech InfoNet
http://www.biotech-info.net/
US site focusing on agricultural production and food; specialises in scientific reports.

British Medical Association
http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/gmcrops
Doctors calling for a ban on field trials until more is known about possible harm to human health.

Council for Responsible Genetics
http://www.genewatch.org
Comprehensive site of UK lobby group covering all uses of genetic technologies, a bit wordy.

GM Watch
http://www.gmwatch.org
Well-designed and well-researched UK site looking at the use of spin and PR campaigns by pro-GE forces; has one of the best international GE news archives which is updated daily (took over from NGIN site). Includes a recent profile on our very own LifeSciences Network http://www.gmwatch.org/profile1.asp?PrId=77

Institute of Science in Society
http://www.i-sis.org.uk
Dr Mae-Wan Ho and colleagues challenge conventional scientific theories.

Physicians and Scientists for Responsible Application of Science and Technology
http://www.psrast.org/
Independent scientists explain the risks of GE food in clear language. Pro-GE Lobby Groups:
The Life Sciences Network
http://www.lifesciencesnetwork.com
Most vocal pro-GE lobby group in NZ, membership includes most organisations working with GE (including universities, crown research institutes and large companies)

GM Watch (UK) has put out a recent profile on Lifesciences:
http://www.gmwatch.org/profile1.asp?PrId=77

GE and Farming:
GE Farm Info
http://www.gefarminfo.org.nz
An NZ site which focuses on the lessons overseas farmers have learned from growing GE crops. Interesting quotes and online documentary.

Network of Concerned Farmershttp://www.non-gm-farmers.com
A “must-see” Aussie site for anyone interested in GE impacts on agriculture, look for experiences of Canadian and US farmers, also has good up-to-date news.

Organics
Organic Consumers Association
http://www.organicconsumers.org/gelink.html
Good rundown of what’s happening with GE from an American organics perspective.

Soil and Health Association of New Zealand
http://www.soil-health.org.nz/
Largest NZ organisation supporting organic farming and food, publishes Organic NZ magazine, website offers background info on organics and pesticides

UK Soil Association
http://www.soilassociation.org/web/sa/saweb.nsf?Open
Leading UK organic food and farming association, use search option (type in “GM”) for all the info on what’s happening with GE in the UK (if search doesn’t work, go to a new page and then try again)

Government sites:
Environmental Risk Management Authority
http://www.ermanz.govt.nz
Considers applications for GE field trials and GE releases (none so far) on a case by case basis.

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
http://www.maf.govt.nz/
Information on testing for GE seed contamination at the border, and reports on contamination incidents such as the GE corn in Gisborne. Not the easiest site to use, try the search engine using “genetically” or “GM”.

New Zealand Food Safety Authority
http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/consumers/food-safety/gm/index.htm
Fact sheet (not particularly clear) on GE food in NZ and reports commissioned by the NZFSA on GE food. Search site using “genetically” or “GM” as search words.

Toi te Taiao: New Zealand’s Bioethics Council
http://www.bioethics.org.nz/
Group set up by Government to make sure cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects of GE (and biotechnology in general) are considered and discussed.

UK Food Standards Agency
http://www.foodstandards.gov.uk/gmdebate/?view=GM%20Microsite
UK Government site featuring recent public debate with links to official scientific and economic reports.

Media sites (New Zealand)
(all listed sites offer free access to articles):
Bioscience News and Advocate
http://www.bioscinews.com/
Comprehensive NZ news site with a subtle pro-GE flavour and close connections to Lifesciences Network (pro-GE lobby group). Sends out daily updates.

GE News feed from Scoop online
http://www.greenpeace.org.nz/truefood/news_feed.asp
A live feed which encompasses mainly press releases from pro and anti-GE sides, and Parliamentary speeches, questions etc. Links to the full press release/speech etc don’t always work.

The GE Information Service
http://www.geinfo.org.nz
NZ online service offering free news bulletins (monthly) with a thoughtful GE-Free editorial

The New Zealand Herald
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storyarchive.cfm?reportID=53009
Best way to keep up-to-date with NZ “mainstream media” articles on the web, this link will list their latest GE feature stories.

Media sites (overseas):
(all listed sites offer free access to articles)BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/
Search (try “genetically” or “GM” as search word) for latest European stories

The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk
Search (try “genetically” or “GM” as search word) for latest European stories

Thanks to www.90degrees.net.nz

For latest GE Action sites: VillagePRESS     Directory of GE ISSUES