Green Party MP and organic farmer Ian Ewen-Street will spend a day in Hawkes Bay tomorrow (October 5) to promote organics to the region.

Mr Ewen-Street said Hawkes Bay was an area where switching to organic production could provide huge economic benefits. He said 'The Fruitbowl of New Zealand' was well placed to become 'The Organic Fruitbowl of the World'.

"The land fertile flat land Hawkes Bay is perfect for orcharding, farming, cropping and viticulture. The climate ensures good growth and yields and would help produce the highest quality organic produce which, in turn, would attract much greater premiums," he said.

Mr Ewen-Street will be holding a free public meeting on 'Genetic Engineering and Organics', Napier City Council Community Rooms, Clive Square, Napier, at 7.30pm. He will discuss the conflict between genetic engineering and organics, the Green Party's policy of an Organic Nation by 2020 and the potential for organics in Hawkes Bay.

During the day he will be visiting Clyde Potter's organic herb / vegetable garden (11am), having lunch at Bay Espresso (12pm) and making a speech to the opening of the Aviation and Agricultural Association Conference at the Angus Inn (1.30pm).

Ian will have some time available for media interviews. Contact Jonathan Hill (press secretary): 04 470 6719, 021 440 090.

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