GM crops to stay for now

The Far North’s new mayor is unlikely to seek a ban on genetically modified crops if recent comments are a reliable guide.

Wayne Brown told councillors at the first ordinary meeting of the district council last month that he was not in favour of rushing into releases of genetically modified organisms.

However, he would hesitate to ban these under the District Plan, which had proven itself ‘toothless’ when it came to regulating building colours.

"It’s a bloody great mallet for a small peanut."

He said the council should pressure the Government to resolve liability issues.

"The best thing we can do is stuff it down the throats of our MPs."

GE-Free Northland chairman Marty Robinson told the council that lobbying Wellington would achieve nothing.

"You’ve been lobbying it for six years and nothing’s changed."

Legal opinions on liability conflicted, he said.

The Environment Minister had admitted that local authorities and ratepayers would bear the costs of damages caused by genetically modified organisms.

"This is what is not getting through to council."

Mr Robinson also accused the council of not fully participating in an inter-council working party that is exploring liabilities and risks posed by genetically modified crops.

He described the relationship between his group – which has a memorandum of understanding with the council – and staff as a difficult one.

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