Gene Ethics GM-free Newsletter:
April 30, 2008

We can still win a GM-free future!

Some herbicide tolerant GM canola may be grown in Victoria and NSW this year, but SA, WA, Tasmania and the ACT are still GM-free.

Most Australian food and farms will stay GM-free this year as the GM canola will be around 1-2% of the crop.

And the GM-free campaign will continue - in farms, food stores and the halls of power. There is also much you can do - at home, at work and among friends.

With your support we can all win a GM-free future!!

1. GM-free Zone Councils:

Gene Ethics has written to all local councils in Australia, to win their support for GM-free. But GM-free council policies also need the strong support of ratepayers and residents.

To gather this support download the GM-free Zone petition from http://geneethics.org/resource and collect signatures for your local councillor and Mayor.

Many councils have responded. In Victoria, for instance, the Bass Coast, Hepburn and Macedon shires and the Maribyrnong, Greater Bendigo, Ballarat, Moreland and Yarra cities are all reviewing their GM-free status. With citizen backing, the Shire of Yarra Ranges has already asked State and Federal Ministers to extend the GM bans and label all GM foods!

Please get things moving in your area.
Volunteer as a local contact.
Call 1300 133 868 or email info@geneethics.org to find out how!

2. Please answer the Gene Ethics Survey. It takes just a few minutes. It takes just a few minutes.
Go to:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=KlGWK3PGDBhW%2fZZ2qCht8w%3d%3d

Share your vision of GM-free, secure, sustainable, healthy, safe, food and farming systems. Your answers will help Gene Ethics to develop new plans for the next phase of our GM-free campaign.

Include your email address, for the chance to win a free copy of Genetic Roulette: the documented health risks of genetically engineered foods, by Jeffrey Smith. This gripping book sells for $28.95! Lucky winners will be drawn on Monday May 5, so be quick! Your input will be private but grouped data on all responses will be published soon. Thank you for your support and co-operation.

3. An SBS TV "Insight" program on Genetic Manipulation was broadcast last week. See others comments and have your say at: http://news.sbs.com.au/insight/yoursay

4. Watch a new French documentary film "The World According to Monsanto" at http://www.geneethics.org/resource/index/4 or go directly to: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-842180934463681887

Monsanto, the world's biggest seed company, is the largest owner of GM and conventional grain seed as well as vegetables and fruits. It's well on the way to monopoly ownership of the global food supply.

5. Ten minute actions you can take right now:

Visit: http://geneethics.org/actnow/

Write: personally to your Members of Parliament at:

http://www.geneethics.org/actnow/display/2

Post: GM-free Zone signs at your place. Print them at

http://geneethics.org/resource

or order the big plastic outdoor signs from 1300 133 868 or info@geneethics.org

Thousands of GM-free Zone signs are already in high profile spots, but more are needed.

Join or form a local group.
Call 1300 133 868 to be networked with others in your area.

6. Resources from the Gene Ethics office:

• Genetic Roulette, by Jeffrey Smith at $30 incl. p&p
• Seeds of Deception, by Jeffrey Smith $20 incl. p&p or the 2 books for $40 incl. p&p
• DVD "The Future of Food" $25 incl. p&p
• Order free "GM-free Zone" signs for your front fence at http://www.geneethics.org or download a pdf from http://www.geneethics.org/resource --
  

ooooOOOOoooo

Bob Phelps
Executive Director

Gene Ethics

60 Leicester St, Carlton 3053 Australia
Tel: 1300 133 868 or 03 9347 4500 {Int Code +613}

Fax: 03 9341 8199
Email: info@geneethics.org

WWW: http://www.geneethics.org

THINK, CARE, ACT!