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against genetically engineered food and
crops
Getting your Council to go GE-free
Many Councils have gone GE-free, determining their food services to go GE-free
and/or not wanting any field trials to be conducted in their area.
We will soon have more information on how to do this on this page.
Please contact us if you would like us to send you some information.Also check out Lee Rhiannon's GE-free Council kit
COUNCILS WITH A GE FREE POLICY
IN FOOD SERVICES SUPPLIED THROUGH COUNCIL
Byron
City of Newcastle
Hawkesbury
Manly
North Sydney
Waverley
Willoughby
Wingecarribee
DECLARED GE FREE ZONES/OPPOSED TO CROP TRIALS
Barraba
Cabonne
Conargo (GE Free Zone)
Coolah
Cowra
Forbes
Hawkesbury
Inverell
Lithgow
Parkes
Quirindi (GE Free Zone)
Wingecarribee (GE Free Zone)
Young (GE Free Zone)
Total councils: 18
TEXT OF MOTIONS
BARRABA
Barraba Shire Council voted in July 2000
"That Council write to GMAC requesting that Barraba be removed from the list of local authority areas in which GMOs may be tested".
2/ Councils with a GE-Free Policy
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CABONNE
At its meeting on 17 April 2001 moved Councillor Lawrence seconded Councillor Niven
1) That Cabonne rejects the field trials of genetically modified crops until a) further research is undertaken on the science of gene technology and its broader implications; b) regulations are developed for any field trials; c) a full community consultation and debate is undertaken by the State and Federal Governments.
2) That Council advise CENTROC of its position on genetically modified organisms and request CENTROC lists the matter for discussion at the next meeting.
3) That Council advise the Interim Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and Monsanto of Council's resolution in accordance with part 1 of the motion
CONARGO
At its meeting on 10 May 2001, moved Councillor McAllister seconded Councillor Anderson
That Conargo adopt a Genetically Engineered Free Zone (Crops) for the whole of the shire and seek means of implementing this policy.
COOLAH
Coolah Shire Council voted at the end of February 2001
to advise GMAC and Monsanto that we don't support the trial of GMO canola in our shire.
COWRA
The following recommendation was endorsed by Council on Monday 14th May 2001:
That in light of the negative response from the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Planning Committee recommended to Council
That Cowra Shire Council not support the trials of Transgenic Canola in the Cowra Shire area and the applicants be advised in writing that Council will not permit the trials to proceed.
NB This is a reversal of Council's motion of 12 March 2001 that Council approve trials subject to the NSW Department of Agriculture using the Cowra Agricultural Research Station for the proposed Genetically Modified trials of Transgenic Canola and/or monitor the protocols proposed by Monsanto to ensure the trials are carried out strictly within these protocols.
3/ Councils with a GE-Free Policy
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FORBES
Council resolved to oppose the field trialling of Genetically Modified Crops until
i). further research is undertaken into the science and of genetic modification and its broader implications
ii). proper regulations are developed for any field trials
iii). full community consultation and debate is undertaken by State and Federal Governments.
HAWKESBURY
That Council resolves to:
1. Adopt a precautionary approach to the release of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) in the open environment until the safety to humans, animals and the environment has been proven through independent testing, except where genetic engineering experimentation takes place in an enclosed environment under the supervision of the University of Western Sydney.
2. Advise the Gene Technology Regulator that Hawkesbury Council will not allow the release of GMOs into the open environment.
3. Write to Federal and State Ministers and Shadow Ministers for Health urging that all foods containing any trace of GMOs, including oils, additives and foodstuffs from animals that have been fed genetically engineered (GE) feed, must be labelled for the safety and choice of consumers.
4. A) Write to all suppliers of foodstuffs used at Council facilities seeking assurances that no products containing GE crops or GM ingredients are used in their production. Where the manufacturer or provider is unable or unwilling to give such assurances, Council discontinue the use of any foodstuffs or food services from that source.
B) Require that all new contracts for the provision of food to council services and functions to specify that all produce supplied shall be GE free.
INVERELL
At its meeting on 28 November 2000 Council confirmed its opposition to the release of GMO technology until such time as sufficient research has been undertaken in this matter and adequate safeguards established and put in place. Council has previously requested that a carefully set up regulatory body be established to monitor genetically modified organisms.
PARKES
At its meeting on 6 March 2001 Council resolved:
1. That a letter be written to Monsanto advising them that Council had not received any notice from the Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee (GMAC) concerning possible trials in the Parkes area.
2. That Monsanto be advised that Council requires well controlled trials if they are to proceed, with monitoring to be undertaken by the NSW Department of Agriculture.
3. That a full and proper consultation process be conducted by Monsanto prior to any trials.
4. That Monsanto be advised of Council's concerns regarding the manner in which some previous trials have been carried out.
5. That the NSW Department of Agriculture be requested to monitor any trials of genetically modified crops.
6. That Council write to the GMAC asking for information on monitoring methods used for previous trials of genetically modified cereal crops and that the Committee's charter and responsibilities in monitoring such activities be sought.
7. And Further that GMAC be invited to visit the area and consult with local farmers on the issue of genetically modified crops.
QUIRINDI
RESOLVED to advise GMAC that this Council continued to support the position of the Shire Association when they adopted Resolution 80* at the Shires Conference 2000.
4/ Councils with a GE-Free Policy
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WINGECARRIBEE
Motion moved by Clr LAC Whipper seconded Clr P Reynolds:
A) That Council invoke the PP under the Local Government Amendment (ESD) Act 1997 and
write to the suppliers of all foodstuffs currently supplied to council child care centres, Meals on Wheels and any other council facility, requesting assurances that no products containing genetically engineered crops are utilised in their production.
B) That Council advise council child care centres, Meals on Wheels and any other council facility
under its control against the use of any foodstuffs for which the manufacturers are unable or
unwilling to give the necessary assurances.
C) That Council prohibit by way of its consent authority the cultivating and/or manufacture of
Genetically Modified foods or crops and the use of Genetic Engineering within the Shire, until such time as these technologies are proven to be safe.
D) That Council make representations to the Federal Minister Mr John Fahey MP and Ms Joanna Gash MP as well as the Opposition spokesperson, requesting that processed foods containing genetically modified product or fresh foods from Genetically engineered seed stock or animals, be clearly marked on all labelling in order to allow consumers to make an informed choice prior to purchase.
E) That Council make representations to the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning to enforce Condition C above.
F) That Council make representation to the Federal Government seeking its policy position on this matter.
YOUNG
106/01 RESOLVED on the motion of Councillors Hewson and McGregor that Council strongly objects to genetically modified trials in Young Shire.
107/01 RESOLVED on the motion of Councillors McCormick and Hewson that Young Shire Council becomes a total Genetically Modified Free Zone as from 1st May 2001.
*Resolution 80 of Shires Association Conference 2000
MOTION: That the Shires Association make representations to the NSW Minister for Agriculture asking that he follow the example of the Minister for Agriculture in Western Australia and ban all further trials of genetically modified organisms for two years or until a regulatory regime is in place.
Further, that the Shires Association support the gene ethics working network in their request for a freeze on all releases of genetically modified crops; and support the Executive Director of the Australian Grains
Council in his demand for the establishment of regulations to govern trials of genetically modified organisms without further delay.
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