Katy Jones05:00, May 05 2021
Protesters demonstrate against controversial weedkiller glyphosate in Brussels as the EU pesticides committee meets to decide on whether to extend its licence. 2019 file video.
It has been the subject of nationwide protests, billion-dollar lawsuits in the United States, and recently Japan turned away New Zealand honey because of it. What is glyphosate, and should we be worried about its use in New Zealand? Glyphosate is the world’s most commonly used herbicide. In New Zealand, it is used to kill weeds in places ranging from orchards, crops and vineyards, to private gardens, roadsides and public parks. The herbicide is contained in hundreds of products globally, and used in about 90 products in this country, with Roundup arguably the most recognised brand.
Wellington.Scoop
Two Wellingtonians have become Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit in today’s New Year Honours List:
Sue Chetwin, for services to consumer rights.
Having begun her career in journalism, Ms Chetwin was editor of the Sunday News from 1994 to 1998, the Sunday Star-Times from 1998 to 2003, and founding editor of the Herald on Sunday from 2003 to 2005. As Chief Executive of Consumer New Zealand from 2007 to 2020 she successfully campaigned for many important consumer law reforms, including prohibitions on unfair contract terms, fairness in consumer credit contracts, country of origin labelling, and controlling door knockers. She has led other successful campaigns on behalf of consumers including calling for mandatory standards for sunscreens, helping to regulate mobile truck shops, and calling out businesses on misleading claims such as greenwashing. Her commitment to consumer rights have contributed to New Zealand having a strong consumer protection ethos
Ross Giblin/Stuff
The founders of Commonsense Organics, Marion Wood and Jim Kebbell, have been recognised in the New Year Honours. “I think [the honour is] a recognition of the huge contribution that organic horticulture and organic food can make to the issues we face today,” Wood said. “That’s what we are delighted about, that in fact organic farming is being recognised in New Zealand.” Wood was born into organic growing, with a mother who gardened organically and who helped them find their plot of land while they were still living in Wellington. “My husband was extremely sceptical at first, and it was only when he discovered that Shell Oil were pouring their fossil-based fertilisers on our seeds that he thought, maybe there’s something in this organic rubbish,” Wood said.