Friends of Eden Albert GE Free Zone,

c/- 31 Calgary St,

Sandringham.

MEDIA RELEASE: Friends of Eden Albert GE Free Zone to meet with Hort Research scientists

2 September, 2001

Friends of Eden-Albert GE Free Zone are to meet with Hort Research representatives on Monday 3rd September at 10 am at the Hort Research Centre in Mt Albert Rd. In the wake of the Royal Commission's pro-GE report the Friends want to get a firm promise from the Hort Research scientists that there will never be a release of genetically engineered organisms from this urban site.

The "Friends" group was formed not long after the Eden-Albert Ward of Auckland City was declared a symbolic GE Free Zone in April 1999.

The Friends will ask the Hort Research representatives, including Richard Newcomb and Sue Muggleston, to describe the measures they put in place to ensure that any ge research is completely confined to the laboratory.

"The massive GE Free Rally in Auckland on Saturday proved beyond doubt that Aucklanders want a GE Free future, and reject the findings of the Royal Commission," said Stuart Sontier speaking for the group. "The idea that there could be some release of genetically engineered organisms without contaminating our environment, our crops and our organic gardens is just nonsense."

"We have had useful discussions at this site previously - particularly with representatives of Landcare who share the Mt Albert site. This centre unlike similar scientific establishments is in the heart of a residential community, so the scientists have a responsibility to listen to our views."

The representatives of the Friends of Eden Albert GE Free Zone will include Stuart Sontier, Jon Carapiet, Annette Cotter (Greenpeace), Dr Peter Wills and Maire Leadbeater (Eden-Albert Councillor).

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