Diversity in Australia/Pacific Region

he Sustainability Council's purpose and objectives are to: Assist the realisation of a sustainable New Zealand Protect and enhance New Zealand's ecosystems, the health of New Zealanders, and the nation's ability to derive income from established land uses. Undertake research into issues related to the sustainable development of New Zealand for example, genetic modification. Provide information to assist well-informed and effective community participation in decision-making on issues related to sustainability. The Council is independent of any political party, company or other organisation.

The BFA actively works to influence standards development, represent your views at government level, and support the growth of the Australian organic market. It provides assistance in market intelligence, exporting requirements, and development of contacts and networks. The BFA continues to increase consumer awareness of organic food and supports growth of local food economies. As the market develops further, we will remain active in lobbying for support for organic producers and in maintaining high standards across Australia.

GE-Free New Zealand in food & environment (Rage Inc.) is a non-profit organisation with branches in the Kapiti Coast, Dunedin, Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington, Hawkes Bay, Taupo and Auckland. GE-Free New Zealand uses its resources you to promote making the NZ environment & food FREE of Genetically Engineered organisms.

OUR AIMS: To develop and promote: * Educational programmes for the preservation of open-pollinated (non-hybrid) seeds and the genetic diversity of plant varieties; * Non-profit seed exchange programmes; * Agricultural and horticultural programmes with particular emphasis on the propagation of open-pollinated plant varieties; * Preservation gardens for open-pollinated plant varieties; * Seed banks for non-hybrid plant varieties; * Scientific research relating to the above matters, either alone or in conjunction with a public university or other institution. Some of our achievements * We have had over 5,500 varieties come through our seed bank; * Over 10,000 people have been directly involved with Seed Savers; * 20,000 sample packets of original seeds are made up each year by volunteers from the Tamborine Mountain Seed Savers' group for us to give away. Banora Point Garden Club near Tweed Heads began packing seeds too in March 1997; * 23,000 copies of The Seed Savers' Handbook sold in the first ten years * Over 1,300 varieties of seeds and other planting materials are offered in our Spring newsletters; * Seed Savers' has helped to establish Seed Networks in a number of other countries such as Cambodia, East Timor, Ecuador, India, Japan, Solomon Islands and The Philippines.

The Conservation Council is Western Australia's peak non-government, non-profit conservation organisation. The organisation is an umbrella organisation for 90 affiliated conservation-focused groups throughout Western Australia who share the passion and vision for taking responsibility for the State's unique environments.

The tribal authority for Te Whanau a Apanui, first nations people.

Gene Ethics is a non-profit educational network of citizens and kindred groups. We want the precautionary principle, scientific evidence and the law rigorously applied to all proposed uses of genetic manipulation (GM) technologies and their products. Gene Ethics generates and distributes accurate information and analysis on the ethical, environmental, social and economic impacts of GM. Our education programs critically assess GM for the public, policy-makers and interest groups.

The Centre for Integrated Research in Biosafety (INBI) aims to contribute to the increased understanding and more effective management of emerging biotechnologies.