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Source: ONE News -
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All 14 Greenpeace protesters who boarded a freight ship carrying palm kernel in the Port of Tauranga on Wednesday have been removed, police say.
The protesters boarded the Hong Kong-registered freighter East Ambition from a small boat on Wednesday morning, lashing themselves to cranes and the anchor , preventing the ship from docking.
They were protesting Fonterra's importation of palm kernel (PKE) for use as stock feed because of its role in the destruction of rainforests, predominantly in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Police used a crane and cage and were raised to the height of four storeys to cut the cables that tied the protesters to the ship's steel cables extending from its cranes.
The protesters were charged with illegally boarding a vessel, Tauranga police area commander Inspector Mike Clement said.
They will be bailed to appear in the Tauranga District Court within the next week.
A further protester was arrested as part of the support crew, police said.
Clement said he is pleased the situation has been resolved without harm to any of the ship's crew, emergency personnel or protesters.
The Port of Tauranga, Fire Service, Coastguard, Customs and private contractors were also involved in the operation.
Greenpeace said it took action because of what it claims is the role of PKE in the destruction of rainforests, predominantly in Malaysia and Indonesia.
It said forests are being cleared for the planting of the trees that produce palm oil.
PKE is a by-product of the palm oil process.
"We intend to stay for as long as physically possible. We're well equipped," Greenpeace climate campaigner Simon Boxer said earlier on Wednesday.
Farmers called for piracy charges to be laid against the protesters
"I fully respect the freedom of Greenpeace to protest legally but they have crossed the line by interfering with legal commerce and free navigation on the high seas," said Federated Farmers president Don Nicolson.
He described the protest as "economic treason".
He claims Greenpeace is anti-farming: "It's a despicable new tactic that has Greenpeace's loathing of farming written all over that ship."
Have the Greenpeace protestors gone too far? Or do you believe in their cause? Share your opinion on our message board below?
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentjl555 said on 2009-09-18 @ 02:25 NZDT: Report abusive post
How can John Key say that Fonterra purchasing PKE doesn't contribute to deforestation when it is a valuable part of the profits made from the growing of palm oil plants? His ignorance is consistently astounding.
Janeo said on 2009-09-17 @ 12:04 NZDT: Report abusive post
Greenpeace has brought to the public attention yet another unsustainable business practice. Great publicity stunt. I hope John Key will do a lot more research on the subject deforestation and climate change.
Lanary said on 2009-09-17 @ 10:43 NZDT: Report abusive post
I don't know about in indonesia but in malaysia you view from an aeroplane window as you eye can see, they every where, miles and mile of palm oil tree and even in cambodia the same. I don't know about deforesting. The protest gone a bit too far
jheb2007 said on 2009-09-17 @ 09:30 NZDT: Report abusive post
The calls that palm kernel is just a by-product and that it would just rot on the
stojo01 said on 2009-09-17 @ 09:17 NZDT: Report abusive post
Deforestation to plant Palm Oil trees is a major problem in Indonesia. Whether the kernels are a by product or not makes no difference, they still contribute to the commercial success of the plant. Where is the protest against the use of the palm oil plants primary product.?