A submission letter you could use with your local council

Dear ( ) District Council,

As a ratepayer, I am extremely concerned about GE experiments and releases. These should be prohibited in our District due to the risks to our environment, economy and the public health. I am also concerned that central government has failed to put in place a strict liability regime for GMOs.

As a ratepayer I do not want the burden of paying for the cleanup of potential contaminated sites, the removal and elimination of escaped GE organisms (that MAF has given up on) and should my land be contaminated by a neighbor’s GE crop, it would follow the land value would fall......not to mention the rating base!

(Your Personal story)
 

Genetic Engineering/GMOs is an important issue both nationally and especially at a local level.

I ask that an environment free of GE organisms be included as a Community Outcome and that the ______________ District Council considers how you can contribute to this Outcome.

The reason for this is the protection of finite resources including indigenous biodiversity from transgenic pollution (both conventional and organic reproductive crops must also be protected and the integrity of heritage seeds is critical).

This may require ________________ District Council work on a collaborative basis with other agencies and local government with a view to achieving a enforceable Regional Exclusion Zone for GE.

I request Council to undertake the formation of a Sustainable Development Policy addressing the environmental/cultural/social/economic outcomes (including a Precautionary policy on GMOs, zero waste/recycling, improved public transportation, cycleways, restoring the dawn chorus, eradication of noxious weeds and feral pests, protection of our heritage, coast and harbour
protective strategies, marine reserves etc.

I would also like to see a GE FREE Conservation Estate. Please note that the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) recognizes that GMOs may have potential adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity (Article 8g).

Therefore, there should be no further development and field testing of transgenic organisms envisaged for agriculture, horticulture, and forestry in Northland until the risk potential has been adequately identified and evaluated and a strict liability regime put in place.
Council should uphold or adhere to the Precautionary principle in instances where there is a level of scientific uncertainty and where there is the potential for potentially irreversible significant adverse impacts

I wish to be heard.
Thank you.
Sincerely (your name/contact details/tel no)

*Note: similar comments can be made to your Regional Council - contact the appropriate staff person responsible for the Long Term Council Community Plan and find out when submissions close and when they plan to hold a hearing (so you can speak to your submission if you wish).

Return to Cr Karen Summerhay's letter VillagePRESS

Directory of GE ISSUES