The Good News:
There is a big increase organics in NZ.
In past 3 years organic produce sales have increased by 25%, organic beverages increased by 80% and organic wine has quadrupled production.
Franklin organic farmers grass roots organization of 300 people are organizing themselves by taking back control of their food supply, establishing community networks.
Humans no need to be competitive, but cooperative relationships brings connection and happiness in community
Organics NZ are still committed to be the worlds first organic country but Bhutan, Bali and Costa Rica are far closer. NZ organic growers definitely want NZ to lead.
What we are dealing with:
Though our Government is not talking organics to the world, ironically the world is talking organics to NZ. Especially China and Taiwan and milk supply for example, and if our food is contaminated the Chinese will instantly halt buying, because they are wanting 'NZs 100 percent pure products.'
This superb, newsy, laughter ridden interview covers:
Nestles - its problematic partnership with Fonterra.
Fluoride - which is a toxic waste product in our drinking water.
Cadmium - across NZ farms, in superphosphate - impacting both our health and animals. Damages the liver and kidneys in cattle and sheep that these organs in lambs and cattle over 18 months old are not allowed to be used for human consumption … and are being used for pet food? - is there a connection with NZ cats and renal failure?
Plus, NZ cadmium rates are already higher that the maximum standards that they have in the European Union. This heavy metal is a time bomb in our farming sector and needs addressing. In Waikato where more than 160,000 hectares are contaminated to the point that would have been officially labelled as a contaminated site. It can no longer be classed as contaminated because changes to legislation in 2012 removed agricultural land from any contamination classification. A contemptible way to get rid of the problem, by our NZ Govt moving the goal posts.
Milk - there is a growing consumer demand for raw milk in rural communities, that's not stripped of its nutrient value of probiotics, when milks is pasteurized, homogenized, UV'd etc. Raw milk is especially good for children and our Government actually knows
this, but is reluctant to champion it.
Food Labeling - If you cannot pronounce a food - don't eat it, and keep away from processed foods and eat only whole foods.
Remember - food is medicine, drugs are not medicine.
Diets - why low fat diets fail.
Biotechnology - the constant allure of untold riches for big tech corporations, that our Government supports.
Christchurch rebuild - organic gardens booming and better networks and health outcomes ensuring the security of their food is growing communities here.
GE & GMOs - the continuing problems, the imperative of food labeling of contents and country of origin. GMOs pose a 59 billion dollar threat to the NZ economy and our Clean and Green image.
Irradiated food - especially from Caboolture in Qld Australia, that radiates, tomatoes, capsicums and mangos with Cobalt-60. (don't touch)
Buy local - grow local, eat local = fresh.
Hospital food - the need of fresh vital food so as to heal ones body of both sickness and wounds, but under successive Governments has been ignored, but more so under the present Govt.
Chicken cages - abolishing in 2023, but pigs in sow crates are doing better 2015.
Bees - decline as are the butterflies = GE and pesticides.
Keeping Auckland GE free - Pass local laws so that Ratepayers do not bear the costs if a GE outbreak takes place. Compel the biotech corporation to being responsible for their mistakes.
GE Agriculture - is a dead end culture in the final analysis.
Go organic, become healthy, get wise.
www.organicnz.org.nz