Ben and Jerry's ice cream hurting reef: Qld govt

Date
    April 29, 2014


Ben and Jerry's ice cream has joined the push for greater protection of the Great Barrier Reef.      :)

Ben and Jerry’s ice cream has been hauled over the coals by the Queensland government for supporting WWF’s ‘‘propaganda’’ save the reef campaign.

Environment Minister Andrew Powell wants Australians to boycott the American company, saying they’ve damaged the reputation of the reef and jeopardised jobs and tourism dollars.

‘‘Another company has signed up to the campaign of lies and deceit that’s been propagated by WWF,’’ Mr Powell said.

‘‘The only people taking a scoop out of the reef is Ben and Jerry’s and Unilever.

‘‘If you understand the facts, you’d want to be boycotting Ben and Jerry’s.’’

The minister says he’d be writing to parent company Unilever to express concerns and brief them on the truth.

Earlier this month, Ben and Jerry’s withdrew popular flavour Phish Food because of its allusion to fishfood, as a way of drawing attention to the potential damage to the reef.

They also embarked on a road trip around parts of Australia, giving out free ice cream to highlight their concerns over damage to the reef.      :)

They say the reef is at serious risk of destruction from intensive dredging and dumping, mega-ports and shipping highways.      :(

The brand has championed environmental causes in its 35-year history, including opposing drilling in the Arctic, and says it’s a proud supporter of WWF’s campaign.

‘‘Ben & Jerry’s believes that dredging and dumping in world heritage waters surrounding the marine park area will be detrimental to the reef ecology,’’ Australia brand manager Kalli Swaik said.

‘‘It threatens the health of one of Australia’s most iconic treasures.’’    

The Queensland and federal governments in January approved the dumping of three million cubic metres of dredge spoil in the marine park and World Heritage area to enable the Abbot Point coal port expansion.

The government says 70 per cent of the spoil is expected to settle on the seabed.

WWF fears spoil could get caught in currents and smother or poison reefs just 40km away.

CEO Dermot O’Gorman says Ben and Jerry’s involvement reflects the concern of people around the world about how the reef is being managed.

‘‘Ben & Jerry’s’ tour is a timely reminder that the world expects the Queensland and Australian governments to lift their game,’’ he said.      ;)

UNESCO is due to meet in June to consider the Australian government’s progress in improving the management of the reef.

It’s due to decide this year or next whether to list the reef as a world heritage site in danger.



Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/ben-and-jerrys-ice-cream-hurting-reef-qld-govt-20140429-37eg7.html#ixzz30DoaOPck

comments so far

        Seems as though Newman and cohorts can't stand a bit of opposition. Are we not to question the intent of any government in this country? How pathetic. Newman's military side is really showing - DO NOT QUESTION A SUPERIOR OFFICER!! Yeah, sure.

    Commenter
        Marilyn
    Location
    Date and time
        April 29, 2014, 6:30AM

        Ha! The government has no credibility here. From now on I might buy Ben and Jerry's exclusively

    Commenter
        ab
    Date and time
        April 29, 2014, 6:36AM

        What a sad government. Poor Queensland and it's ship of fools that believe a coal mine was worth the fuss and expense..........

    Commenter
        BBJ
    Location
    Date and time
        April 29, 2014, 6:49AM

        This is excellent cause marketing, and congratulations to B & Js. Great promotion from the minister too. I've never wanted ice cream so much!

    Commenter
        Cloudchild
    Date and time
        April 29, 2014, 6:58AM

        Thanks Andrew Powell for alerting us to this issue. Although not a big consumer of ice cream I will be sure to look for Ben & Jerry's products to support them in making this stand in spite of your government's protestations.

    Commenter
        Jonesie
    Location
        Deep North
    Date and time
        April 29, 2014, 7:00AM


Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/ben-and-jerrys-ice-cream-hurting-reef-qld-govt-20140429-37eg7.html#ixzz30Dqn3srX

Give Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Company the thumbs up.

We love free speech and democracy in Qld.

Yes I will have a scoop of ice cream.  Make mine strawberry please.      :)

Pretty hypocritical of the yanks.

The second biggest export from Fiji is live coral from their reefs for salt water aquariums and the yanks are by far the biggest buyers.

And that is relevant to Ben & Jerry in Australia how?

Good on Ben & Jerry! If they sold their icecream here in SA I would even try it! Losing the Great Barrier Reef would be dreadful, half or more of our tourism gone!

Quote:

Ben and Jerry’s ice cream has been hauled over the coals by the Queensland government for supporting WWF’s ‘‘propaganda’’ save the reef campaign. Environment Minister Andrew Powell wants Australians to boycott the American company, saying they’ve damaged the reputation of the reef and jeopardised jobs and tourism dollars. ‘‘Another company has signed up to the campaign of lies and deceit that’s been propagated by WWF,’’ Mr Powell said. ‘‘The only people taking a scoop out of the reef is Ben and Jerry’s and Unilever. ‘‘If you understand the facts, you’d want to be boycotting Ben and Jerry’s.’’ The minister says he’d be writing to parent company Unilever to express concerns and brief them on the truth.

Is this dipsh1t for real?

What a nutbar!

Where can I buy some Ben & Jerry's?

Great people with an environmental conscience, something Campbell Newman doesn't have, unfortunately.

How could anyone not want to fight for the protection of the great barrier reef? I mean, it's the great barrier reef.

http://www.benandjerry.com.au/

Visit their facebook page and give them some support.

Would not surprise if Be and Gs ice cream sales jump after this. The only person hated more than Abbott in Qld is Newman.

UNESCO issues dire warning over dredge spoil dumping on Barrier Reef


The United Nations World Heritage Centre has released a report on the health of Queensland's Great Barrier Reef, warning it could be listed as in danger by next year.

Watch video:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-01/unesco-issues-dire-warning-over-dredge-spoil/5424700

UNESCO isn’t the only scientific body concerned about dumping. More than 240 Australian scientists signed a joint statement earlier this year, demanding that the application for dumping in World Heritage waters be rejected. With the waters getting muddied, it’s important that Australians know the facts.


Incidentally, one of those scientists attended my March In March rally.