Ministers’ ignorance and bullying over fluoridation challenged

Press Release
Fluoride Action Network NZ
16th July 2013

Fluoride Action Network NZ (FANNZ) has demanded an explanation from both Ministers Judith Collins and Tony Ryall over their recent claims and vicious attacks.

Both Ministers have made scathing and unfounded remarks against the Hamilton City Council and/or FANNZ over the Council’s decision to end fluoridation. The Council decision was made after 4 days of hearings and a massive amount of written submissions through a thorough Tribunal process recommended by the Ministry of Health and the Office of the Prime Minister’s Science Advisor.

Both have been asked by FANNZ to substantiate their claims under the Official Information Act.

Minister Collins has tried to sidestep the request by claiming her comment was made as an MP, not as Minister of Justice. MPs’ comments are not subject to the Act, Ministers are. This is the height of hypocrisy. Minister Collins called the Hamilton Council ‘gutless’ for making a hard decision to do the right thing, knowing the backlash that was likely to follow. Now she won’t even justify her comment

Minister Ryall has forwarded the request for information to Ministry of Health, even though he made personal accusations. This suggests Minister Ryall is bending to pressure from the fanatical Ministry of Health who appear willing to stoop to any level to ensure fluoridation stays in New Zealand.  

It is totally unacceptable in a free democracy that Ministers try to silence people and intimidate local government by bullying those who say something they or their Ministry disagrees with.

The Ministry of Health would have us still adding lead to petrol or spraying 245T over the country if small groups of people had not stood up to them. 

Ministers Collins and Ryall should be promoting open transparent scientific discussion at a national level for all New Zealanders to see instead of stooping to name-calling and ridicule intended to quash dissent. This issue will never be settled until the NZ public at large is exposed to both sides of the issue and people demand an end to the addition of toxic fluoride chemicals into the community water supply.

ENDS
 
Mary Byrne
National Coordinator Fluoride Action Network NZ
www.fannz.org.nz

About FANNZ
FANNZ is NZ’s leading expert body on fluoridation. It was formed in 2003 to bring an end to water fluoridation, due to its health risks and ineffectiveness. Its committee includes a lawyer, scientist, doctor and two dentists.

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