Its urgent, its important, its Canadian
Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN)
“Its
farmers who pay the costs of GE contamination, not the biotech companies.”
“Canadians are becoming more involved in farming
issues and want to support a sustainable food system.”
Bill C-474 is concrete action! Final
vote February 9! http://www.cban.ca/474
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PRESS RELEASE
Liberals and Conservatives Vote Down Bill C-474: Inaction on genetic
engineering will cost farmers, groups vow to protect alfalfa in ongoing
controversy
Thursday, February 10, 2011. Ottawa - Last night, a majority of Liberal MPs
joined with Conservatives to vote down an important Private Members Bill on
genetic engineering (GE). Bill C-474 would have required that “an analysis of
potential harm to export markets be conducted before the sale of any new
genetically engineered seed is permitted.” The Bill was defeated 176 to 97.
“Farmers had everything to gain if the Bill was passed. Now we have everything
to lose while biotech companies once again have everything to gain,” said
Colleen Ross, Vice President of the National Farmers Union. “Our government has
been supporting genetic engineering at any cost. But we refuse to accept their
willingness to sacrifice some farmers and some crops for the sake of the
biotech industry,” said Ross. “Our democracy has to work for farmers and
consumers and not just for multinational biotech corporations.”
“The excuses for not supporting the Bill were never truly valid,” said Maureen
Bostock, speaking for the Ecological Farmers of Ontario, “This is a clear case
of politicians siding with the powerful biotech industry.”
“The Bill was voted down but a real debate about the impacts and future of
genetic engineering has now started,” said Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator, Canadian
Biotechnology Action Network, “Canadians defied the tremendous power of the
industry lobby by pushing the Bill further than any other on this issue.”
“It’s crazy that the economic risks to farmers are not considered before GE
crops are put on the market,” said Genevieve Grossenbacher a young Quebec
farmer speaking for the Canadian Organic Growers. “Its farmers who pay the
costs of GE contamination, not the biotech companies.”
An immediate concern shared by both conventional and organic farmers is the
threat of crop contamination by GE alfalfa. On January 27th, the US Department
of Agriculture approved plantings despite widespread opposition from farmers
and consumers, and after protracted legal cases. Canada is only one step away
from allowing GE alfalfa to be planted here. “It's urgent that our Members of
Parliament take action to stop GE alfalfa from being imported or being approved
and grown in Canada. This is the only way to protect our conventional and
organic alfalfa from loss of markets and loss of livelihoods,” said Cathy
Holtslander speaking for the Organic Agriculture Protection Fund of the
Saskatchewan Organic Directorate. Because alfalfa is a perennial crop
pollinated by bees, GE contamination is inevitable. In addition to export
markets for processed alfalfa products, alfalfa is used as pasture and
high-protein feed for animals like dairy cows, beef cattle, lambs, and pigs and
is also used to build up nutrients in the soil, making it particularly
important for organic farming.
“Genetic engineering has become more controversial over the years, not less,”
said Eric Darier, Director of Greenpeace Quebec, speaking on behalf of the
Quebec Network Against GMOs, a coalition of over 20 groups. “The problems with
genetic engineering are not going away and the federal government is still
refusing to address the issues head on.”
“Building a strong future for food and farming in Canada will take political
leadership. Elected representatives must listen to what farmers and consumers
are saying,” said Tony Beck of the Society for a GE Free BC, a coalition of
local grassroots groups, “Canadians are becoming more involved in farming
issues and want to support a sustainable food system.”
Private Members Bill C-474 was introduced by NDP Agriculture Critic and MP for
BC Southern Interior, Alex Atamanenko.
Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator
Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN)
Collaborative Campaigning for Food Sovereignty and Environmental Justice
431 Gilmour Street, Second Floor
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K2P 0R5
Phone: 613 241 2267 ext. 25
Fax: 613 241 2506
coordinator@cban.ca
www.cban.ca
