The ability for regions to declare themselves GE-Free in crops, forestry, and grasses won with the support of the Maori Party is a marketing advantage.
New Zealand’s free trade deal with China, our biggest market, has seen investment in New Zealand because of the assurance of quality and GE-Free status.
A Nielsen survey showed that 70% of Chinese consumers were avoiding GMOs in foods and actively seeking to buy GE-free produce.[1]
Responding to USA consumer demand, Fonterra has also launched products specifying their GE-free status.[2]
These real-world market trends signal the significance of the third reading of the Resource Legislation Amendment (RLA) Bill which was passed after the Maori Party was able to preserve the right for councils to regulate, in their plans, genetically modified (GMO) crops, including grass and forestry crops.
Originally, the Minister for the Environment had wanted to prohibit all land use regulations on GMOs in council plans, but then compromised and exempted GM crops in general.[3]
Through rigorous negotiations, the Maori Party was able to remove 43A and 43B and amend 360D, inserting a new clause that included all GE plants, including forestry and grasses, but not GE animals.
It is GE animals that represent a risk to New Zealand's reputation. Any commercialisation for GE animals is a concern to many, as field trials have shown that the transgenic manipulations are costly and cause intense suffering to the animals. [4]
Any large-scale release of GE animals would breach ethical and moral standards of humane husbandry New Zealand has spent years upholding, and would undermine New Zealand's brand image among consumers overseas.
“It is in the interest of the whole country that total GE-free production is preserved and regions can proceed to protect their businesses from any GE contamination,” said Jon Carapiet national spokesperson for GE-Free NZ.
“The removal of the GE clauses from the RMA amendments was a great outcome for democracy, upheld by the Maori Party and everyone who has fought for the regions being able to declare themselves GE-free. But the prospect of GE animals remains a significant threat.”
References:[1] http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-china-soybean-oil-demand-idUKKBN17U0SB
[2] http://www.dairyreporter.com/Ingredients/Fonterra-s-NZMP-non-GMO-ingredients-launch?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=18-Apr-2017&c=HwF7FPiM4jr82Hmba%2BQsQm4L0s3IosFU&p2=
[3] Resource legislation amendment Bill -Third reading
.be[4] GE Animals in New Zealand: the first 15 years http://www.gefree.org.nz/assets/pdf/GE-Animals-in-New-Zealand.pdf
| A GEFree New Zealand release || May04, 2017 |||
The latest data from Statistics New Zealand show wine exports to the USA have surpassed $500 million for the first time , up 11% in the last year.
As the wine industry advances towards its goal of $2 billion of exports in 2020, there is significant potential for further growth in North America said Philip Gregan , CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers.
New Zealand wine, especially Sauvignon Blanc, is very popular in the US and we expect consumer demand to continue to grow.
The new record level of wine exports into the world’s largest and most competitive market is an outstanding achievement for New Zealand wine exporters and testifies to the strong global demand for our wines
New Zealand wine exports reached a new record of $1.63 billion in March year end 2017. Wine is now New Zealand’s fifth largest export good by value.
The announcement of the new export records come at a busy time for the wine sector with the 2017 vintage nearing completion and the advent of International Sauvignon Blanc Day celebrations on Friday 5 May.
| A New Zealand Winegrowers release || May 03, 2017 |||
Ξ Wine exports to the USA surpass $500 million for the first time
Ξ Top India trade expert advocates direct flights between India and NZ
Ξ Worker perks on offer as labour market tightens
Ξ United Civil Construction selected to build Kerikeri’s new wastewater reticulation
Ξ Dunedin site for US tech firm
Ξ $48 billion industry at risk
For the last 14 weeks I have been undertaking one of my most ambitious works to date. Not ambitious in terms of size (although it is a largish piece), but more of a personal record in terms of the substantial number of parts I was required to make to execute this idea. It is a design with well over a thousand individually machined parts. If you count spare parts (I always make extras), almost 1100.
While still a healthy size as far a machined metal sculptures go, it is by far the largest parts count I have ever attempted. I had to make hundreds upon hundreds of custom bolts, pins, and spacers in addition to the dozens of other more intricate parts that make up the assembly. The sculpture is 20.5" tall, 17" wide, and 11" deep and it weighs 88 pounds.
This work is also unique in that it has a rather complex interior space, something that I find difficult to work into many of my designs. The opening into the interior is approximately 5" at its smallest, so you can easily stick your whole arm through the center of this piece.
You can read more on how Chris produced this sculpture here | May 04, 2017 |||
Newly appointed Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has wasted no time dealing with the diplomatic intricacies of his new role, reaching out to Israel and advocating for Kiwis' rights in Australia. He spoke to Sam Sachdeva about the difficulty of following in Murray McCully's footsteps, and the legacy he leaves behind in Christchurch.
Gerry Brownlee, natural diplomat?
The reaction of some to his appointment as Foreign Minister is perhaps no surprise - after all, this is the man who took it upon himself to insult the people of Finland during a parliamentary debate.
However, take into account Brownlee’s experience as defence minister and his time forging cross-party consensus as Leader of the House, and it’s easier to see why Prime Minister Bill English saw him as a safe pair of hands.
Brownlee sees his new role not so much as a promotion, rather a progression on the work he has been doing for the past few years.
“I’ve always kept a fairly close eye on foreign relations and what was happening in that particular portfolio, and in defence you do quite a lot of 'defence diplomacy' if you like, so it seemed like a natural progression in a way.”
| A NewsRoom release || May 04, 2017 ||| Continue to read full article here