March 10, 2010
Take Action / Take Action / Act Now!
Act Now!
Bill C-474 is a Private Members Bill, now scheduled to be debated March 17!
Write your MP instantly by clicking here!
Bill C-474 would support Canadian farmers by requiring that “an analysis of potential harm to export markets be conducted before the sale of any new genetically engineered seed is permitted.”
This Bill is a critical opportunity to stop dangerous GE crops. Add your voice now!
Bill C-474 begins a real debate over the impacts of GE crops. If the Bill is passed it would stop GE wheat and GE alfalfa.
The Bill was introduced by Alex Atamanenko, the NDP Agriculture Critic and MP for British Columbia Southern Interior.
Send your letter to your MP instantly by clicking here!
More Actions
- Write a separate letter to your MP (free postage). Here is a Sample Letter. You can search for your MP with your postal code at www.parl.gc.ca
- Meet with your MP before March 17.
- Collect signatures on the petition in your riding and bring them or send them to your MP.
- Send the action alert around by email.
- Print and distribute this flyer on Bill C-474
- Link to CBAN on facebook!
Now is the time to act to protect farming in Canada from GE crops.
This Bill is really important because, as we know from experience, the introduction of new genetically engineered (GE) crops can cause economic hardship to farmers.
Farmers are at risk when GE crops are commercialized in Canada without also being first approved in our major export markets.
Flax farmers in Canada are now paying a heavy price because of this exact problem. Late last year, Canadian flax exports were discovered contaminated with a GE flax that is not approved in Europe or in any of our other export markets (except the U.S.). Flax farmers actually foresaw that GE contamination or even the threat of contamination would close their export markets. That's why they took steps in 2001 to remove GE flax from the market. Despite this measure, flax farmers were not protected. The GE flax contamination closed our export markets in 2009. It has created market uncertainty and depressed prices. Farmers are also paying for testing and cleanup and may be required to abandon their own farm-saved flax seed and buy certified seed instead. These costs are an unnecessary and preventable burden.
We cannot allow our export markets to close like this again.
It is the government’s responsibility to protect Canadian farmers from predictable problems caused by the introduction of new GE crops that have not yet been regulated in our export markets.
Contact us for more action, information and your questions.
