New Zealand Health Minister Jonathan Coleman will introduce a bill later this year that will shift responsibility and decision making from the local councils to the District Health Boards (DHB’s). This will ultimately result in mandatory fluoridation for all major public water supplies in New Zealand as the DHBs are contractually obligated to carry out Ministry of Health policy, and appear eager to do so. Currently, only 23 out of 67 local councils still fluoridate, with about 50% of all NZ households–approximately 2.3 million people–using fluoridated water. Another 1.3 million people on public water supplies could be impacted if DHBs are allowed to take control of fluoridation.
The latest published research from pro-fluoride New Zealand dentists shows that there is no difference in tooth decay rates between children in fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas, and New Zealand research also shows that twice as many children (30% compared to 15%) of children in fluoridated areas have permanent damage to their teeth in the form of dental fluorosis. Despite this, local DHBs will be forced to add fluoridation chemicals to the drinking water of every community in the country, and councils and the public will be powerless. New Zealand will then be one of only four countries in the world with mandatory fluoridation, along with Israel, Singapore, and the Republic of Ireland. Major communities such as Christchurch, Nelson, Rotorua, Napier and Whangarei that have never had fluoridation will now get it, and places like Ashburton, Tauranga and New Plymouth that fought to stop fluoridation will also have it forced back on them.
Local campaigns, Fluoride Free New Zealand and the Fluoridation Information Network for Dentists, are working tirelessly to defeat this devastating proposal. They are holding meetings, organizing letter and phone campaigns, building a grassroots effort, developing an ad campaign, and lobbying elected officials. THEY NEED OUR HELP!
Timeline
- April 2016 announcement that Government proposes legislation
- It’s expected that the Ministry of Health will write the legislation which may be ready around July/August 2016
- Health Minister to present Legislation for its first reading when ready
- Health Select Committee will consider. At this stage submissions will be sought and people can speak to the Committee
- Expect 2nd Reading would be early/mid next year
- Expect 3rd Reading to be late 2017 or early 2018
- Could be in place by 2018.
What you can do
- Sign Fluoride Free New Zealand’s Petition to Stop Mandatory Fluoridation.
- Like Fluoride Free New Zealand on Facebook to Follow the Campaign.
- Help Crowdfund Fluoride Free New Zealand’s Crucial Ad Campaign.
Actor and Comedian Rob Schneider Tweets Support For FFNZ
American actor, director, and comedian Rob Schneider, has also joined the call for a rejection of the New Zealand fluoridation mandate. On April 28, Schneider Tweeted, “Contact Fluoride Free New Zealand!” and shared an article by investigative reporter Jon Rappoport entitled, New Zealand Plans to Drown its Citizens in Toxic Fluorides.
Contact Fluoride Free New Zealand! https://t.co/83HMVKHE46
— Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) April 28, 2016
Then on May 1, Schneider Tweeted, “Boycott Tourism in NZ: More fluorides? Bye bye.” And shared an article by Rappoport with the same title calling for a travel boycott.
Boycott tourism in NZ: More fluorides? Bye bye. | Jon Rappoport’s Blog https://t.co/XObduGlbUK
— Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) May 2, 2016
In 2013, Schneider voiced his opposition to fluoridation during a TV interview where he applauded Portland, Oregon for rejecting the practice and urged viewers to fight to “get it out of your water.” (see 4-minute mark).
Fluoride Conference in India
The International Society for Fluoride Research (ISFR) will host a conference this November 9-11 in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). It will take place in Hyderabad, India at the National Institute of Nutrition. The focus will be on fluoride toxicity, geology, and mitigation on a worldwide scale.
The event is open to all members of the public who register by October 1st. Representatives of ISFR asked FAN to specifically invite scientists, clinicians, academics, engineers, and state officials to this conference, which will have brain storming sessions and field visits.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE & REGISTER
May’s International Teleconference
The next International Fluoride Free Teleconference will be held on Saturday, May 14th at 5PM (Eastern time). The call will focus on the fluoridation ballot initiative in Marin, California, and will feature Dawna Gallagher-Stroeh, the Executive Director of Clean Water Sonoma-Marin. She will offer a first-hand account of her experience and provide practice lessons and strategies learned during her campaign. This call will be especially valuable for those campaigners interested in initiating a local fluoridation referendum.
REGISTER FOR MAY’S TELECONFERENCE
Latest Fluoride News
–Water System Flushed After Fluoride Exceeds Safe Levels (Ontario)
–Fluoride Issue in Cornwall Reeks of Politics, Says Union (Ontario)
–Why Nairn & Hyman Ended Fluoridation: Public Opinion (Ontario)
–Jonesborough Officials Set to Discuss Ending Fluoridation (Tennessee)
–Petition Filed to Change Port Angeles Government Due to Fluoride (Washington)
–Port Angeles Fluoride Committee Agrees on One Item (Washington)
–Collier County Commission Considering End to Fluoridation This Week (Florida)
–Tallahassee to Get Fluoride Upgrade Despite Corrosion From Practice (Florida)
–Buffalo Considers Adding Fluoride to Drinking Water (Wyoming)
–Bedford Anti-fluoride Campaigners’ Milestone Win (United Kingdom)
–Water Without Fluoride on Tap in Hamilton (New Zealand)
For more fluoride related media, please visit FAN’s News Archive.
Stuart Cooper
Campaign Director
Fluoride Action Network