New Democrats call for moratorium on GM seeds until regulations are overhauled
Castlegar, BC – A new genetically manipulated variety of corn will soon be in use in foods in Canada but the potent new technology behind it, ‘SmartStax’, was approved without undergoing an assessment of its health and environmental impacts. A moratorium should be placed on approvals for new varieties of GM seeds until a comprehensive review of the entire regulatory system is undertaken, says New Democrat Agriculture Critic Alex Atamanenko (BC Southern Interior).
“The Creators of ‘SmartStax’, Monsanto and Dow AgroSciences, are in the enviable position of having a government that is both their champion and their regulator,” said Atamanenko. “As long as this conflict of interest continues there is no way to be assured that the pursuit of profit won’t trump the precautionary principle, and the way SmartStax has been approved is a prime example.”
SmartStax, so called for having genetically combined six insect-resistant (Bt) and two herbicide-resistant traits in one seed, was approved without independent scientific studies by either the government or the companies involved. Other Monsanto GM corn varieties, such as MON 810, still available in Canada, have been banned in several countries, following health and environmental concerns raised by independent scientists.
“Given the unintended consequences that can arise from the use of these technologies, the government must act responsibly and rescind approval for SmartStax immediately,” added Atamanenko. “A moratorium on new GM seed varieties is the only way to ensure that Canadians are not being exposed to dangerous compounds until a comprehensive review of the entire regulatory system is undertaken.”
During cross-country consultations as part of his “Food for Thought Tour” Atamanenko heard a great deal of concern about Monsanto’s increasing control over the seed market, and apparent lack of concern for public health.
“In the last Parliament an opportunity was lost to enable Canadians to avoid GM foods when the Conservatives and Liberals voted against Bill C-517 to require mandatory labeling,” noted Atamanenko. “Disturbingly, the government continues to move mountains on behalf of corporate interests and seems to see no problem with forcing genetically modified food onto the dinner plates of Canadians who wouldn’t knowingly touch them with a ten-foot pole.”
Tags: genetically modified