/R E P E A T/ - Genetically Engineered Food: Consumers still kept in the dark

    OTTAWA, May 2 /CNW Telbec/ - 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 "ith 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/

For further information: Jocelyn Desjardins, Greenpeace, Communication,
cell.: [phone], Phil Bereano, 49th Parallel, cell.: [phone],
Charles Caccia, Former Liberal MP, [phone], ext. 1041; Eric Darier
Greenpeace, cell.: [phone]; Michael Hansen, Consumer International,
[phone]; Charles Tanguay, Union des consommateurs, cell.: (514)
743-0419; Nalini Vaddapalli, Option consommateurs, cell.: [phone]