GE Free New Zealand PRESS RELEASE –26.7.07

GE Brassica Hearing date not set

Lawyers for ERMA, Crop and Food and GE Free (NZ) have met in the High court to discuss the further proceedings on the GE Bt Brassica appeal.

The case conference discussed the protocol around the notification of the appeal to 959 submitters, giving further opportunity for submitters to join the appeal hearing. A further case conference will be held on the 14 August to update the Court on progress, and at that time a hearing date may be set. It has been signalled that this would possibly be late 2007 or early 2008.

"GE Free do not want this appeal to drag on but it is important that everyone who wants to, has a say in the appeal proceedings." said Claire Bleakley, of GE Free (NZ) in Food and Environment.

GE Free (NZ) in Food and Environment are appealing the ERMA decision to approve a field trial of GE brassica on points of law. They are submitting that the field test conditions have not been met and in particular that no testing has been required on possible long term effects on ecosystems, animal or human health. Scientific studies have shown that Bt gene has been linked to human ill health and animal deaths.

"We believe that ERMA should have declined this application as it did not fulfil the requirements of the HSNO Act in relation to the final outcomes that are required for GE in relation to economic, environmental and community safety." Mrs Bleakley said. "We are very happy with the outcomes so far, and thank everyone for their enormous support with donations and offers of help."

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