23 July 2002

Greens welcome endorsement of environment policy

Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons today welcomed a report from the Environment and Conservation Organisation (ECO) which put Green policies on the environment head and shoulders above the other parties.

The Vote for the Environment Campaign is being run by a non-partisan coalition of environment, conservation and outdoor groups including Federated Mountain Clubs, Forest and Bird and Greenpeace.

The Greens scored five points, NZ First, Labour and the Alliance three points, National one and ACT zero.

"If people want the environment to be factored into the decisions of Government then there must be a strong Green presence in the next parliament," said Ms Fitzsimons.

"The Green commitment to the environment underpins all our policy. We recognise that humans cannot survive without clean air, safe water and good soil and that the health of people reflects the health of the planet."

Ms Fitzsimons said the commitment to keep New Zealand's food and environment GE-Free was the most urgent issue for the Greens as, if Labour lift the moratorium next year as planned, our GE-Free status and our 100 per cent pure branding would be gone forever.

"Tomorrow the Greens are launching a national GE awareness day to remind New Zealanders what we stand to lose by releasing GE into our environment," she said.

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