Anti-GM message reaches crescendo

By ANNE BESTON environment reporter

Anti-GM organisers are working frantically to create a groundswell of support in the lead-up to the end of the moratorium.

They are hoping protest marches being held around the country tomorrow will demonstrate just how deep anti-GM feeling is among middle New Zealand, forcing the Government to change its mind on the issue.

Prime Minister Helen Clark has said the Government will not be moved but protesters are undeterred.

"She has got this issue wrong," said Mothers Against Genetic Engineering [Madge] spokeswoman Alannah Currie. "There will be people there marching tomorrow who have never marched in their lives, we will not go away, this is only going to get bigger."

Yesterday New Zealand musicians added their voice to the anti-GM message, donating songs to the Hang on Helen CD which will be given away to people who send a "Hang on Helen" postcard to the Prime Minister.

So far, 170,000 postcards have been distributed. The CD features When the Cat's Away, Hone Tuwhare, Che Fu, Moana and Mahinarangi Tocker.

Aucklander Kate Godrey, a 31-year-old human resources consultant, is one of those joining the march tomorrow.

"I've never protested before in my life but I feel passionately about this and I want to show my support."

Aucklander John Mangan, owner of a fruit and vegetable export business, said he was going on the march to protest against "the arrogance of this Government". "The Government seems to have been hijacked by ideology because it makes no commercial sense whatsoever to lift the moratorium, no customer in the world is buying GE food," the 46-year-old company director said.

Anglican vicar Ian Lawton of St Matthew-in-the-City said he attended last year's anti-GM march and would turn up for this one, too.

"I have three children and I'm concerned about the world they will grow up in," he said.

Greg Menendez, of the "Take 5" campaign to get the moratorium extended for a further five years, said marchers would send a text to the campaign's number at the start of the march.

"I guess it's likely to be the biggest en masse texting in New Zealand history," he said.

Legislation providing for the end of the moratorium has been passed and new legislation to allow for field trials and "pre-commercial" release of genetically modified organisms is before the House.

The New Organisms and Other Matters Bill is expected to be passed before the moratorium expires on October 29.

Where and when

Tomorrow's protests:

* Auckland: Queen St, 12pm

* Wellington: Civic Square, 12pm

* Dunedin: Octagon, 12pm

* Christchurch: opposite Canterbury Museum, Worcester Boulevard, 2 pm

* Timaru: corner Stafford and Church Sts, 11am