Things are a-rumbling in the food policy world….
The House of Commons will be conducting its final debate regarding Bill C-474 today, with the final vote scheduled for tomorrow. Bill C-474 is a simple one-line regulatory amendment that would require “an analysis of potential harm to export markets be conducted before the sale of any new genetically engineered seed is permitted”.
It’s a pretty simple mandate, but this bill would represent our country’s first solid legislative effort to address the negative effects of GMO contamination. Many export markets, especially in Europe, prohibit GE crops; the widespread, unregulated proliferation of GE crops in Canada would make it impossible to guarantee GMO-free exports, and could shut farmers out of many export markets.
GMO contamination has been a recurring problem for Canadian farmers. Organic canola in Saskatchewan, for example, is virtually impossible to grow today, since GMOs from neighbouring fields inevitably end up contaminating organic crops. In 2009, Canadian flax was shut out of the European market because of GMO contamination – despite the fact that GMO flax has been illegal in Canada since 2001.
Although the regulation of GE crops seems like a clear-cut way to protect farmers who risk GMO contamination, the rush to approve and deregulate GE crops is supported by a number of important stakeholders. Aside from GE industry lobbyists, many Canadian farmers are also looking forward to planting GE crops, since they promise “scientifically-proven” economic benefits. The US, after all, is a leading trade partner, and it has little issue with GE imports. For these farmers, C-474 is nothing more than additional red tape that would create a further competitive disadvantage.
Time will tell how the vote goes down – stay posted!
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