Irradiation, N-industry seen as ‘closely tied’

Press, 23 July 1987, Page 36

Irradiation, N-industry seen as ‘closely tied’

The whole process of irradiation was closely tied to the nuclear industry, said the New Zealand Nuclear-Free Zone Committee in its objection to the proposed irradiation plant at Mangere. The objection was to be heard before the townplanning committee of the Manukau City Council on Monday. “The whole process is, in the origin of isotopes and, we suspect, in ownership and investment, so closely tied to the nuclear industry, and thus to nuclear weapons and mili-tary-industrial complex,

that we must oppose any proposed irradiation plant in New Zealand,” the committee said. The plant would be contrary to the health, safety, cultural and general welfare of the people of every part of Auckland and New Zealand. The council had to consider the concerns of the Maori people for the land and . waters around Mangere, particularly their concern about pollution from the plant The committee also said there was an enormous advantage in food produce from New Zea-

land being known as “nuclear-free,” especially since the Chernobyl accident “We see evidence that ‘made in nuclear-free New Zealand’ is a very strong marketing advantage internationally.” The plant would benefit only the wealth of those with business interests in the nuclear industry, and would greatly damage the clean, uncontaminated image New Zealand produce has, damaging trade and the country’s economic and social well-being, said the committee.