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WILL YOU BE MARCHING?

“The world is waking up to Monsanto and its negative influence in the global food supply. These marches are a symbol of the growing resistance and mood for change,” said Green Party GE spokesperson Steffan Browning.

“Fewer and fewer companies control more and more of our food chain and their interests are in making money, not feeding people good food.

“Monsanto is one of the most dominant companies in the food supply. They are focused on pushing genetic engineering and have a terrible reputation for suing farmers and influencing countries’ laws.

“We need a food system that works in the interests of people, not corporations. The huge support for this global action shows that the people want a better way.”

Details of March Against Monsanto:
http://www.march-against-monsanto.com/

Details of New Zealand marches:
Christchurch – 3:00pm, Hagley Park https://www.facebook.com/events/257378607742003/
Wellington – 3:00pm, Waitangi Park https://www.facebook.com/events/589013124456893/
New Plymouth – 3:00pm, Corner of Elliot and Devon St West https://www.facebook.com/events/364155907021803/?ref=3
Nelson – 1:00pm, Corner of Halifax and Trafalgar Streets https://www.facebook.com/events/128929110628000/?ref=22

Rotorua – 12:00pm, Rotorua Lake Front https://www.facebook.com/events/264719693671906/
Tauranga – 12:00pm, Red Square, Devonport Rd https://www.facebook.com/events/514056908629667/
Whangarei – 2:00pm, Cameron St Mall and Bank St https://www.facebook.com/pages/March-Against-Monsanto-Whangarei/619245478103161?ref=ts&fref=ts
Hastings – 11:00am, Clock Tower, City Centre, 021 054 3492

ends

http://www.odt.co.nz

Conservation Minister Nick Smith has approved a land access deal for open-cast mining on conservation land on the Denniston Plateau, helping pave the way for Bathurst Resources to begin digging millions of tonnes of top-quality coal. The decision does not mean the mine has the green light, as the application remains the subject of court action by conservationists.

In the land access deal announced by today, Bathurst will provide $22 million as compensation for loss of conservation values. The money is to fund pest and predator control over 25,000 hectares in the Kahurangi National Park and 4500 hectares on the Denniston Plateau, as well as for historic projects on the plateau. It is the largest ever compensation package negotiated by DOC for a mine or any commercial venture. The mine is being fought by Forest and Bird and other conservation groups. Ahead of Smith’s announcement West Coast Environment Network spokeswoman Lynley Hargreaves said it would be a rushed decision made to avoid public consultation.

”Open-cast mining on high-value conservation land is not something the public of New Zealand support, and the Government knows that,” she said.

Smith said the approval, under the Crown Minerals Act, was for an open-cast mine on 106ha of the 2026ha that comprise the Denniston Plateau.

”This area is not national park, nor conservation park, nor does it have any particular reserve status. It is general stewardship land, which is the lowest legal status of protection of land managed by the Department of Conservation.’ He said it did have conservation values although there had been previous mining including roads, bulldozer tracks and a reservoir, and there was some infestation from gorse and broom.

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