The future of organics and biodynamics within New Zealand is currently facing a HUGE challenge to its future, in the form of The Gene Technology Bill.

This bill was drafted to facilitate the development of a global GMO sector in New Zealand and was presented to parliament in December.

If passed New Zealand will become the most deregulated and permissive country in the world with regard to the environmental release of novel, genetically modified organisms and the use gene-editing applications in our food production systems. If passed our ability produce and market natural, unmodified foods will be critically impacted.  

Key aspects of the Bill include:   

Deregulation to facilitate full development and release of genetically modified organisms and applications in our natural and productive environments

Removal of the ability for communities or regions to declare themselves “GE Free Zones”

Redefinition of legal terms to effectively remove labelling and traceability of GMO’s within our production and food systems

Removal of the precautionary principle from legal and regulatory considerations 

This is a huge concern to the future of organics and biodynamics here in New Zealand, so we are calling on our community to come together to protect our future, by taking action to stop the Gene Tech Bill.

Our friends at Organics Aotearoa New Zealand have compiled a fantastic GE Free Activation Tool Kit to help you make your submission, organise your local community and to spread the word.

They also have a donation fund which you can contribute to. The money raised goes towards helping support fund a national campaign raising awareness about the risks of GE policy changes.

Any action you can take, large or small, will help make a difference to keeping our future GE Free!