Cook Islands Leads the Way!

The Parliament of Cook Islands has issued a statement declaring its intent to become the first nation of the world to completely reject biotechnology and chemical agriculture. The country’s leaders have decided to convert completely to the organic growing of food.

Island plantations have in the past been accused of chemical abuses. Now the Cook Islands Organic Association has convinced the prime minister, Dr Joe Williams, and the rest of cabinet to lead the way in agricultural reform.

The cabinet’s decision was based on the desire to be globally competitive in the growing organic food industry, to maintain a pristine environment for ecotourism and to provide healthy food and land for the people of Cook Islands.

Members of Parliament acknowledged the damage done to agricultural resources and the health of the population with the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Their aim is to achieve certified organic status by the end of the year 2002.

In their written statement, Prime Minister Williams and his cabinet declare: "We will assist in any way possible for the Cook Islands to become a fully organic growing country which we believe will restore the natural fertility of our soil, improve the quality of our produce and the health and well-being of our people."
--Acres USA, January 2000
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