MEDIA RELEASE
Peg Putt MHA

Wednesday 21 MARCH 2001

LOCAL GOVERNMENT VOTING GE FREE

In Wake of GE Crops Debacle

The Tasmanian Greens today congratulated Kentish and Brighton Councils who 
have both adopted motions this week to declare their municipalities GE 
Free, with the unanimous decision by Kentish Council being the most recent 
last night.

Greens MHA Peg Putt believes that there is a strong groundswell in public 
concern about having GE crops foisted on communities and about the secrecy 
and lack of open information to decision makers and the public which is 
reflected in local government taking on these issues at the grass roots.

"Local councils are beginning to take control at the grassroots over the 
growing of GE crops, and I congratulate Kentish and Brighton who have 
declared themselves GE free and urged openness in identifying all the GE 
crop sites in their areas," Ms Putt said.

"The debacle of widespread, secret GE crop trials, breached conditions, and 
the threat of wider genetic pollution has focussed attention on the need to 
protect the interests of others and our clean and green environment."

Attached are the motions adopted by Brighton Council, on Monday the 19th of 
March, and the Kentish Council last night, Tuesday the 20th of March.


BRIGHTON COUNCIL

19.3.01

The Mayor (Cr. S.A. Foster) had given notice to move as follows:-

"That Brighton Council reaffirm its support for the continuance of the 
States moratorium on the growing of GE crops and its support for a GE Free 
Tasmania.

In the meantime we declare Brighton municipality a "No Zone" for any GE 
Crop trials.

That we write to GMAC (Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee), the IOGTR 
(interim Office of the Gene Technology Regulator) and the Minister for 
Department Primary Industries, Water & Environment, Hon David Llewellyn 
asking for details for any GE crop trials that have been carried out in the 
municipality."


KENTISH COUNCIL

20.3.2001-03-21.

(passed unanimously)

Cr A Willock has given notice to move:

"That the locations of all past or present or planned genetically 
engineered crops and/or crop trials in Kentish be precisely identified;

That Council request the State Government use its powers under the 
Quarantine Act to ensure that the companies responsible remove contaminated 
plants from existing and future identified sites;

That no further genetically engineered crop trials be permitted within the 
municipality."

***ends***