Agriculture bill aims to protect Canadian markets

Posted By John Statton

Posted 4 months ago

Passage of agriculture bill keeps producers on both sides of the fence.

Bill C-474 would introduce non-science based factors into the approval of new seed technologies.

The proposed legislation comes after calls to protect Canadian export markets.

NDP Agriculture Critic and MP for British Columbia Southern Interior Alex Atamanenko introduced the bill.

"This bill will not impede innovation," said NFU president Terry Boehm.

"Instead, it will make innovators conscious that their work needs to benefit a broad cross-section of society, not just the company selling the product."

Under the new rule, biotech companies would have to look at the market conditions, and if the market does not want a patent to be licenced, the aim is to delay or stop the process.

National Director of Canadian Organic Growers Dr. Laura Telford supports the bill.

"I think it's great news, and I was surprised that it went through," she said.

"Getting a private members bill through the House of Commons is like winning a lottery. It's very unlikely."

Minister of Agriculture Bob Bjornerud does not support the bill.

"We rely on an agriculture industry on research so much to bring in new varieties and of course GMO's are naturally a part of that," he said.

"If we'd have had bills in place like this before, then the possibilities of GMO canola and varieties like that would have never seen the light of day and they've brought millions and millions of dollars into this province."

Genetically modified organisms have not been well received by the organic community. Europe has a zero tolerance for GMOs, hindering Canadian exports.

"There used to be a market for organic canola but that's gone because of the GMO canola getting into the seed supply," said Dean Gregory of Saskatchewan Organic Directorate.

"You can't guarantee a GMO free product anymore, you can't guarantee the purity anymore."

Dr. Telford felt opposition to the bill is based on business rather than the well being of Canadians.

"The writing is on the wall," she said.

"People just want to know what they are eating, and in Canada we have no requirement to label food when it has been genetically modified, consumers are at risk, or they think they are at risk."

Minister Bjornerud agreed that GMOs can present a threat to native seed strains.

"I think we need to be naturally very cautious with how we deal with these things but I think the present bill does that, and I don't really see the need of bringing another bill in that could probably in the end-run cost our producers a lot of money."

Although he doesn't agree that passing the proposed bill will benefit Canadian producers.

"There isn't a food safety issue with this from my perspective," he said.

"If countries want to block our commodities from going in then it should be a reason that has some scientific research behind it."

President of Western Canadian Wheat Growers Kevin Bender opposes the bill.

"If Canada moves away from a science-based approach on seed approvals, then innovation that could benefit Canadian farmers, consumers and the environment will be made elsewhere," he said.

"This legislation needs to be defeated, so that Canadian farmers can improve our profitability and Canadian consumers are among the first to benefit from safer healthier food."

Not everyone foresees a positive future for GMO products in Canada.

"People are waking up and starting to ask questions about the food system," said Dr. Telford.

"I don't think they're willing to just sit there and take what the corporate agri-businesses have decided to feed them anymore."

The bill is currently under review by the Agriculture Committee.

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