Ratepayers Refuse To Pay For GMO Damage

Two thirds of Auckland residents want local council protection against risks of GMOs, according to a council survey. Ratepayers do not want to pay for damage and support council having local regulations that ensure users of GMOs are financially responsible.
The survey of residents across the region shows broad community backing for council to adopt the proposals of its specialist working party for a plan change to prohibit the release of GMOs to the environment and make field trials subject to strict liability conditions for environmental or economic harm.

"The broad community support means it is a duty of Council to provide protection under the RMA," says Jon Carapiet spokesman for GE-free NZ in food and environment.

"We hope the Mayor will urge councillors to respect the public will and heed the inter-council working group's recommendations."

The debate amongst councillors has been confused. Even amongst senior Council officers there is misunderstanding due to poor briefing, and a lack of coordination with the working party.

"Some council officers are opposed to adopting precaution under the RMA saying that Council's costs of liability will be higher than they will be by Council doing nothing. That is not the view of the working party," says Jon Carapiet spokesman for GE-free NZ and the Auckland GE-free coalition.
"This seems to be deliberate spin that will raise fear in some councillors and encourage inaction. This only serves to promote the vested interests of GMO users who want the public subsidy of risk to continue."
The inter council working party has followed a robust process of community engagement, legal review and evaluation leading to its recommendations.

Ratepayers won't pay. The draft Unitary Plan must include the wording on GMOs based on the intercouncil working party proposals.
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References
1) http://www.wdc.govt.nz/PlansPoliciesandBylaws/Plans/Genetic-Engineering/Pages/default.aspx

ENDS

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