Minority government needs to respect majority’s opinion on GMOs

“Greenpeace wants no more electoral games,” said Eric Darier, a Greenpeace genetic engineering campaigner. “We’ve waited four years since Mr. Charest’s last broken promises of 2003 and the election campaign.  With a minority government elected, the majority shouldn’t have to wait anymore — whether Jean Charest wants to dodge our right to know or not.  Polls indicate that a large majority of Quebecers are united in their desire for mandatory labelling of GMOs and in their right to choose.”

Greenpeace took the message directly to the party Quebecers chose to lead the minority National Assembly, and which has a duty to listen to all Quebecers.  “It’s time for our government to bring forward the mandatory labelling legislation that Quebecers want and see if our National Assembly will pass it,” said Darier. “Indeed, we are asking that the new government tell us if this five tons of corn contains GMOs authorized in Canada.  And if Monsanto’s corn, Mon863, which a recent study says had potentially dangerous health effects, is one of them?

“If the government won’t tell us, without labels, how will we know,” he asked, pointing to polls that say 79 to 95 per cent of people support mandatory labelling.

On March 17, Greenpeace published an economic study on the costs of mandatory labelling, which the government hid for several months.  This study, received last October but never published, laid out the economic costs of labelling — and showed they were not nearly as high as what industry claimed.  Greenpeace and other groups analyzed the study and made concrete solutions to let Quebec practically move ahead.  Darier urged Charest to move forward now the facts are clear.

“Other provincial governments can’t remain inactive on the labelling of GMOs, either, now we know the costs are so low and the dangers of GMOs are so serious,” said Josh Brandon, genetic engineering campaigner for Greenpeace in Vancouver.  “Across Canada, public opinion will soon force governments to support mandatory labelling legislation. Particularly in BC, where polls show a majority intend to vote for candidates that will bring in labelling.” Quebecers can contact Jean Charest (french only), and a petition for mandatory labelling of GMOs in BC is available at www.greenpeace.org/canada/gepetition.