Hager’s Revelation Of Hobbs Cobb Cover Up Not New

Thursday, July 11, 2002

Members of the Mana Mäori Movement, who are contesting the Mäori seats, highlighted today that recent revelations by Nicky Hager regarding the possibility of the release of genetically modified crops in this country are not new.

Mana Mäori Movement co-leader Angeline Greensill states "the potential release of genetically modified organisms in this country has been on the agenda for some time. The corn crop issue is only one concern amongst many". Ms Greensill has been instrumental in the anti-GE. movement for many years further stated "we have growing numbers of transgenic cows and sheep here that are contaminating our soils and environment. For the Labour government to say that there is containment is ridiculous. Corn-gate is just another example of the dangers of experimenting with genetic modification".

Ms Greensill and co-leader Glenis Philip-Barbara submitted to the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification alongside a network of Mäori women, Ngä Wähine Tiaki o Te Ao. Members of that network were involved in a vigil at the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) conference in Mt Wellington two weeks ago. After being refused entry to the conference speech being given by Marion Hobbs, representatives met with the Minister to discuss concerns. A key concern raised by Ms Mere Takoko was that of the possibility of corn crops in the Gisborne area being contaminated. This was denied directly by Marion Hobbs who was emphatic that no commercial release could occur in this country. Upon being notified of the release of the Hager publication Ms Takoko, also a member of the Mana Mäori Movement, responded "we have always known that the possibility of genetically modified corn being grown here is high.

The government has to come clean now with the detail and let the public know where those crops may have been planted". At a meeting with Mana Mäori Movement representatives Ms Takoko stated "contamination is contamination, and our people have a right to know the sites that these experiments are taking place so we can make informed decisions about whether we want those crops on our lands."˜

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Contact for comment: English Interviews Angeline Greensill 07 8461252 Te Reo Mäori Interviews G.Philip-Barbara 06 8677780

MANA MAORI MOVEMENT PRESS RELEASE

National Office: P.O. Box 4030, Hamilton, Aotearoa

e-mail: mtakoko@wave.co.nz

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