A wide coalition of international and Canadian groups including
a former federal environment minister have joined forces to call on
the Canadian government to give consumers mandatory labelling and
stop blocking an international agreement on the labelling of
Genetically Engineering (GE) foods. These calls come at a crucial
time when a UN meeting (CODEX Alimentarius) gathers this week in
Ottawa to discuss establishing an international standard for GE
labelling. Codex Alimentarius is the international body that
oversees food labelling.
The coalition includes Greenpeace, Consumers International,
Option-consommateurs, Union des consommateurs, Canadian
Biotechnology Action Network and Charles Caccia, a former federal
environment minister. Canada and the United States have long been
prime culprits in blocking global agreement on letting consumers
know what they are eating.
'In North America, consumers in the US and Canada have to play a
guessing game. Even if over 40 countries have GE labelling rules in
place, it is essential that we have an internationally agreed
labelling regime that protects consumers everywhere. By continuing
blocking progress, Canada is undermining a fundamental right of
consumers to know what they are eating', said Michael Hansen from
Consumers International - an umbrella organization for Consumers
associations worldwide.
'The right to know what we eat is fundamental, and it's baffling
why the federal government still refuses to acknowledge it?
Instead, Canadian consumers are stuck with voluntary labelling
adopted three years ago by Ottawa, which has failed to produce a
single label 'with GE' said Nalini Vaddapalli, of Option
consommateurs.
For Charles Tanguay, of Union des consommateurs: 'it is totally
inacceptable that the federal government still refuses to implement
mandatory labels as Europe has done. In keeping Canada behind the
pack, the Conservative government is only increasing public
concerns around GE food. What is the government hiding from the
public? 'When companies voluntarily choose not to label, it's time
for mandatory rules.'
"As Ottawa continues to be irresponsible, nothing stops
provinces from establishing their own mandatory labelling rules. By
going ahead with GE mandatory labelling, provinces like Quebec and
British Columbia would show leadership that Ottawa has not seen
yet', said Eric Darier from Greenpeace.
Charles Caccia said: `If my private member´s Bill (C-287) had
been adopted in 2001, Canadians would have mandatory labeling now.
This issue is not going to go away and the government should give
consumers the right to know. Why are Canadian consumers deprived
of their right to know if food contains or not GMOs (genetically
modified organisms)?"
Lucy Sharratt from the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network
said: 'it is outrageous that the Harper government continues to
block effort to have international labelling standard across the
world. Once again, Canada´s reputation abroad is badly
damaged.'
'When asked, a majority of American consumers (50%) are opposed
to GE food (compared to 25% that approved)(1). I am sure that if
Canada could put in place mandatory labelling of GE food, it would
have positive impact in the US. Americans will ask: if Canada and
over 40 other countries can have mandatory labelling, why can´t the
US do the same ?" said Philip Bereano from a 49th Parallel, a
US-Canadian NGO.
Notes
(1) PEW Initiative on Food Biotechnology (Nov 2005) p. 2
http://pewagbiotech.org/research/2005update/
VVPR info: Jocelyn Desjardins Greenpeace Communication cell. (514) 212-5749Phil Bereano 49th Parallel cell. (206) 235-5462Charles Caccia Former Liberal MP Tel. 613 562-5800 X1041Éric Darier Greenpeace cell. : 514 605-6497Michael Hansen Consumer International (914) 378-2452Charles Tanguay Union des consommateurs cell. : 514 743-0419Nalini Vaddapalli Option consommateurs cell. : 514 241-8162