Canadian farm group calls for moratorium on GM foods
December 4, 2000 6:54pm
Source: Reuters
WINNIPEG (Reuters) - A major Canadian farm organization has called
for a national moratorium on producing, importing and distributing
genetically modified foods. ``We need to pull back the reins and try
to get some common sense and a good strong footing on the potential
problems with this technology,'' Cory Ollikka, president of the
National Farmers Union told CBC radioMonday. The NFU, which
represents 10,000 farmers in seven of the nation's 10 provinces, has
demanded a federal moratorium on genetically modified (GM) foods
until questions regarding consumer acceptance, health, the
environment and ownership of the technology can be addressed. The NFU
requested the moratorium following its annual convention in
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on the weekend.
Many Canadian farmers are doubtful of the economic benefits of
genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and are disconcerted by the
push toward biotechnology, Ollikka told CBC radio in Winnipeg. He
said farmers are particularly concerned about the possibility of GM
crops being rejected by food companies and importers, and they are
also alarmed by the potential of genetic pollution. ``We see a lot of
these types of products systematically shutting us out of markets in
the world,'' said Ollikka, citing the examples of Japan and parts of
Europe where there is growing skepticism about GMOs and a rising
government resistance to importing them. In May of this year,
Canadian-grown canola was embroiled in a scandal after genetically
modified seeds, banned within the European Community, were discovered
in seed stocks during routine inspections in Germany. Advanta Seeds,
the British company that produced the seeds, said the most likely
source of contamination was pollen blown from GM canola crops grown
in Canadian fields.
The NFU is asking the Canadian government to launch a formal
commission of inquiry, or at least initiate broad public debate, over
the merits and risks of producing genetically modified foods. An
August survey of 1,000 people by the Canadian Health Food Association
found 95 percent believed they should have the right to choose
whether or not they buy foods containing genetically modified
ingredients. The government said it continues to work on the issue of
producing and labeling GM products. ``Canada must continue to assure
that the products and processes of biotechnology are subject to the
highest standards of scientific testing for health, safety, and
environmental impact,'' the government stated in a recent report. ^
REUTERS@
Copyright © 1999 Reuters Limited.