Groups Urge Ban on
Genetically Modified Wheat
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 31, 2001
DIVERSE COALITION OF GROUPS OPPOSE APPROVAL
OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED WHEAT
Winnipeg: A diverse group of organizations has joined forces to
oppose the introduction of genetically modified (GM) wheat in
Canada.
The Canadian Health Coalition, National Farmers Union (NFU), Manitoba’s Keystone
Agricultural Producers (KAP) the Agricultural Producers
Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), the Saskatchewan
Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), the Saskatchewan
Organic Directorate (SOD), the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB),
Greenpeace Canada and The Council of Canadians want the federal government to halt the approval of
genetically modified (GM) wheat unless the concerns of farmers,
consumers, and buyers of Canadian wheat are addressed.
“It is perhaps surprising that such a diverse group would work
together like this,” said spokesperson Stewart Wells. “But we are
here today because we all have one thing in common—we all have
concerns regarding the introduction of genetically modified wheat.”
The group has submitted a letter detailing its concerns to
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien (see below). The document
is fully supported by more than 210 industry
associations, local governments, and citizen groups across
Canada. It has also drawn the support of more than 50
Canadian experts and researchers and 60 international
organizations.
Wells said farmers are concerned about agronomic impacts and
market loss, while consumers have raised food safety,
environmental damage and regulatory adequacy as issues. He
said it is time that Ottawa took note.
“The Government of Canada must listen to the concerns of its
citizens and act in the best economic interests of farmers,”
said Wells. “It must halt the approval of genetically modified
wheat.”
—30—
July 31, 2001
The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien
Prime Minister of Canada
Langevin Block
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ont.K1A 0A2
cc:
Minister of Health
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board
Minister of the Environment
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Minister of Industry
Canadian Premiers
Dear Prime Minister Chrétien:
Genetically-modified (GM) wheat raises concerns in many
sectors, both domestically and abroad. Farmers and grain
industry participants are concerned about market loss and
risks to Canada’s distinguished reputation for quality wheat
varieties. In addition, farmers are concerned about agronomic
impacts. Consumers are concerned about food safety and
regulatory adequacy. Citizens are concerned about
environmental damage. Organic farmers are concerned about
negative effects on Canada’s successful organic sector. Not
every organization or individual that has signed this letter
shares every one of these concerns. However, for one or
more of the preceding reasons we, the undersigned, oppose
the introduction of GM wheat into the Canadian food supply
and seed supply until these concerns are dealt with.
Overwhelming numbers of Canadian farmers and consumers,
as well as customers for Canadian wheat overseas, have said
that they do not want GM wheat at this time. We hope the
Canadian government will act democratically, heed the
wishes of its citizens, and act in the best economic interests
of farmers.
We represent diverse constituencies and interests, but we are
unified in asking that you act immediately to prevent the
introduction of GM wheat into Canadian food and fields unless
the concerns of Canadian farmers, industry, and consumers
are adequately addressed.
Signed:
Canadian Health Coalition
National Farmers Union (NFU)
Keystone Agricultural Producers
Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities
Saskatchewan Organic Directorate
Canadian Wheat Board
Greenpeace Canada
The Council of Canadians
... plus over 200 Canadian farm, health and consumer organizations
To see the complete list of organizations that "signed-on" click here.
Groups Urge Ban on
Genetically Modified Wheat
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 31, 2001
DIVERSE COALITION OF GROUPS OPPOSE APPROVAL
OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED WHEAT
Winnipeg: A diverse group of organizations has joined forces to
oppose the introduction of genetically modified (GM) wheat in
Canada.
The Canadian Health Coalition, National Farmers Union (NFU), Manitoba’s Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), the Saskatchewan Organic Directorate (SOD), the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB), Greenpeace Canada and The Council of Canadians want the federal government to halt the approval of genetically modified (GM) wheat unless the concerns of farmers, consumers, and buyers of Canadian wheat are addressed.
“It is perhaps surprising that such a diverse group would work together like this,” said spokesperson Stewart Wells. “But we are here today because we all have one thing in common—we all have concerns regarding the introduction of genetically modified wheat.”
The group has submitted a letter detailing its concerns to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien (see below). The document is fully supported by more than 210 industry associations, local governments, and citizen groups across Canada. It has also drawn the support of more than 50 Canadian experts and researchers and 60 international organizations.
Wells said farmers are concerned about agronomic impacts and market loss, while consumers have raised food safety, environmental damage and regulatory adequacy as issues. He said it is time that Ottawa took note.
“The Government of Canada must listen to the concerns of its citizens and act in the best economic interests of farmers,” said Wells. “It must halt the approval of genetically modified wheat.”
The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien
Prime Minister of Canada
Langevin Block
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ont.K1A 0A2
cc:
Minister of Health
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board
Minister of the Environment
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Minister of Industry
Canadian Premiers
Dear Prime Minister Chrétien:
Genetically-modified (GM) wheat raises concerns in many sectors, both domestically and abroad. Farmers and grain industry participants are concerned about market loss and risks to Canada’s distinguished reputation for quality wheat varieties. In addition, farmers are concerned about agronomic impacts. Consumers are concerned about food safety and regulatory adequacy. Citizens are concerned about environmental damage. Organic farmers are concerned about negative effects on Canada’s successful organic sector. Not every organization or individual that has signed this letter shares every one of these concerns. However, for one or more of the preceding reasons we, the undersigned, oppose the introduction of GM wheat into the Canadian food supply and seed supply until these concerns are dealt with.Overwhelming numbers of Canadian farmers and consumers, as well as customers for Canadian wheat overseas, have said that they do not want GM wheat at this time. We hope the Canadian government will act democratically, heed the wishes of its citizens, and act in the best economic interests of farmers.
We represent diverse constituencies and interests, but we are unified in asking that you act immediately to prevent the introduction of GM wheat into Canadian food and fields unless the concerns of Canadian farmers, industry, and consumers are adequately addressed.
Signed:
Canadian Health Coalition
National Farmers Union (NFU)
Keystone Agricultural Producers
Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities
Saskatchewan Organic Directorate
Canadian Wheat Board
Greenpeace Canada
The Council of Canadians
... plus over 200 Canadian farm, health and consumer organizations
To see the complete list of organizations that "signed-on" click here.