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Australian Greens question GE crops

The Australian Greens today outlined concerns over the growing of genetically engineered crops. One Senator said, "We are being told about a 10% productivity increase with the use of GE canola, but this figure is nothing more than an assumption, averaged out from various field trials and commercial studies. A more evidence-based RIRDC report published in 2005 shows that no individual Australian farmers will be better off with GM.

This report has no critical analysis of the larger impact GE crops could have on our agricultural sector and the environment. By failing to show both sides of the debate, the report is fundamentally flawed by failing to take into account markets that refuse to take GE products, such as Europe and increasingly Japan. There is clearly a large sector of the Australian public who are against genetic engineering, and yet this report is insisting that we jump headlong into GE crops".

Green MEP visits Malta to propose ecological island

Green German MEP Gisela Kallenbach is visiting the island of Malta to talk to Greens about their proposal to turn Gozo into an ecological island.

With the power to make this happen, Gisela will be hosted by Malta's Green Leader Viktor Galea, who says, "Our aspiration is to have Gozo become the country leader in exploiting alternative sources of energy and establishing itself as a centre in alternative energy studies while promoting a campaign to reduce energy bills for households and businesses in Gozo".

Leeds and York test area of GM plants goes ahead

With GM crops being grown in a test area between Leeds and York in England, Greene Party spokesperson Leslie Rowe says it's up to locals to protest.

"I certainly think local people will be uncertain as to the quality of the local produce because there's no guarantee that this genetically-modified crop will not affect nearby farms and produce. What we'd like to do as a Green Party is consult with local people and see if there's anything specific we can do. Certainly, I think there will be protests about this at time of planting, but it's up to local people to decide what they're going to do".

New Zealand Greens say energy saving is better than Emissions Trading Scheme

In New Zealand, The Green Party has reiterated their committment to a ban on new fossil-fuel based power stations, saying "It is obvious by now that the (Emissions Trading) Scheme will make little difference to our greenhouse emissions. Evidence presented to the select committee suggests the ETS will reduce emissions by less than 2%. We would achieve more than that just by funding the Energy Efficiency Stategy fully.. Drought, floods and rising sea levels aren't going to go away because vested interests don't feel like paying their own pollution costs".

Canada Green leader welcomes environmental commissioner appointment

The appointment of new Environment and Sustainable Development Commissioner in Canada has been welcomed by Green Party leader Elizabeth May, who has worked with him before on environmental issues. She says, "Appointing someone with the experience and seniority of Scott Vaughan is a good signal that the role is being taken seriously".

Maoris join Greens in debate over Carbon Emission Scheme

After New Zealand Greens threatened to pull out of the recent Carbon Emission Scheme, due to a huge watering down, The Maori Party is following suit. Co-chair Tariana Turia says, "The government can't go round promising or telling people one thing and then backing down because it's election year. You either genuinely believe this needs to happen and you've got a strategy to address the issues around climate change, or you haven't".

Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons added that her party could well use the scheme as a bargaining chip if a hung parliament needed their support. She says, "Of course if we happened to be in coalition talks, climate change will be a pretty important issue. I can see the desirability of having stability in the Emissions Trading Scheme and we would want that too, but at the expense of introducing a really bad scheme".

Caroline Lucas MEP criticizes EU on GM crop policy

Green MEP Carolina Lucas has spoken of her disappointment that the EC has failed to show leadership by passing the buck on legislation regarding GM companies. Dr Lucas says, "The constant indecision and the shirking of responsiblity on GM crops within the European Commission is an embarrassment. The existing conflict can only be solved if the Commision assumed a clear position and takes the precautionary principle seriously, thus taking into account that no conclusive long-term studies yet exist, and so banning the crop altogether".

County Down councillor campaigns to clean up rivers in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, Green Party reps have met at Stormont to review the lack of prosecutions over river pollution. Down Councillor Cadogan Enright asked for river bailiffs being able to take samples to inspect for pollution, saying "Our rivers form part of our drinking water system, so it is in everyone's interest that they are clean".

She adds, "Responsibility for rivers falls within the powers of the Environment and Heritage Service, Rivers Agency, Department of Environment and the Department of Agriculture, but they are not talking to each other, so there is no joined up thinking in terms of how to rid our rivers of pollution".

Slovaka Greens ask for uranium mining research to stop

Slovakia's Green Party has voiced its opposition to the issuing of uranium mining research permits by the Environment Ministry, which has been made without considering village development plans or public opinion. Green Party vice-chairman Peter Novacik says, "If uranium mining is permitted, 360 Slovak villages and towns inhabited by a million people will be in danger". He adds that Slovak laws are favourable to foreign mining companies (the research areas cover 300 square kilometres, with most research franchises owned by companies from Canada and Australia).

Green Party chairman Pavol Petrik adds, "People have already voiced their disagreement with the mining of uranium in a petition, collecting 73,000 signatures. We want to reach the threshold of 100,000 as Slovakia's parliament would be then obliged to deal with it".

New Zealand Greens may pull out of Emissions Trading Scheme

Jeanette Fitzsimons, Co-leader of New Zealand Greens, says her party may pull out of its support for the government's Emissions Trading Scheme, after the government backed down on key elements; a delay in bringing transport fuels into the trading scheme until 2011, and delaying the start date for phase-out of "free allocations" of emissions from 2013 to 2018.

The Greens say this is simply a panicked reaction to lobbying from business groups and political parties and would render the scheme useless. Jeanette says, "This would mean another two years of people buying larger cars than they need and using them when there are alternatives like public transport, car pooling, biking and walking. It would weaken our credibiity internationally and our sustainable brand".

Co-leader Russell Norman adds, "If you are efficient about the way you get to work by using the bus, you're going to be subsidising the person driving the hummer to work...It is the job of The Green Party to tackle climate change seriously and push National and Labour to do the right thing". Watch Russell speak.