Question(s):

(1) Does your party support pre-market testing and approval procedures for GM foods that are open to public scrutiny before GM foods are sold, yes or no? and

(2) Does your party support mandatory labelling of foods containing genetically modified ingredients, yes or no?

Response to Question(s)

NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY RESPONSE

The NDP will ensure that the Health Protection Branch has the capacity to conduct independent analyses of the potential impact of genetically modified organisms. We support mandatory labelling for genetically modified foods to give consumers accurate product information and preserve their right to choose.

CANADIAN ALLIANCE PARTY RESPONSE

Yes, the Alliance supports an open and accountable testing and approval procedure for GM foods. The scientific testing/regulatory process for new products is already quite intensive, but public confidence in this process has eroded significantly. The recent Health Canada fiasco over the licensing of Recombinant Bovine Somatrophin (rBST) clearly demonstrate that the licensing process in Canada is not always clear of political and corporate interference. There are a number of steps that need to be taken to increase consumer confidence in biotechnology. Foremost, public information needs to be improved regarding biotechnology and the testing process which precedes the introduction of new products. Health Canada’s regulatory process must also be reformed to ensure that the licensing process is free from political and corporate interference.

The Canadian Alliance believes that a consumer driven voluntary labelling system for GMOs should be implemented immediately so that GMO-free foods are marketed in a fashion similar to organic foods. This practice should be extended to international markets.

PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE PARTY RESPONSE

The Progressive Conservative Party understands the complexity of the debate surrounding genetically-modified foods. Many ethical issues are raised by biotechnology, including the health implications of GM foods and the impact on existing plant life and ecosystems by the creation and growth of GM seeds, plants, fish and animals. The recent public opposition to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and foods made from GM crops cannot be ignored. Biotechnology’s future success depends on an informed and supportive public, and measures are urgently needed to build public trust and gain the public’s confidence in the safety of the food made using genetically-modified plants and animals.

A Progressive Conservative government would initiate broader public discussions of the ethical issues of biotechnology and ensure greater public consultations when setting biotechnology policy and regulations. We would work towards a law requiring the labelling of all genetically-modified foodstuffs and products for human consumption.

As well, a Progressive Conservative government would continue its tradition of working closely with provincial partners, industry and the large number of consumer stakeholders interested in the question of biotechnology generally, and GM organisms in particular. Through such consultation, we would seek to find ways to reconcile and address the industry’s needs and the public’s real concerns about the health and environmental safety of GM foods.

LIBERAL PARTY RESPONSE

Canada’s safety assessment for GMOs is based upon scientific principles developed through expert international consultations with WHO, FAO and OECD. An Office of Food Biotechnology (OFB) has been established to coordinate the safety evaluation of novel foods, including foods through genetic modification and intended for human consumption in Canada.

Social, ethical and environmental issues are among the issues being examined by the new Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee. CBAC is an expert, arm’s length committee formed to advise Ministers on issues related to biotechnology. CBAC works to raise the public’s awareness of the regulatory process and provide an ongoing forum for the public to voice their views.

Currently there is no internationally accepted standard for the labelling of GM products. The Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) and the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors (CCGD) are developing a meaningful and enforceable standard for labelling. Some countries do require mandatory labelling of GMOs, however, labelling is not required if there is no new DNA, if the new DNA is not detectable, or it the product contains less than 1 to 5% of a GM ingredient. At present there are no internationally accepted test methods to detect GM ingredients.

The Liberal Government has established an expert scientific panel on the future of biotechnology. The panel will advise Health Canada, the CFIA, and Environment Canada on the science capacity that the federal government will need to ensure the safety of new food products developed in the future through biotechnology. The advice of the expert panel will complement recommendations of the CBAC on a broad range of issues, including voluntary labelling of GMO foods.

In the 2000 budget the Liberal government provided a permanent increase in the budgets of federal departments and agencies that regulate biotechnology developments. An additional $90 million will be invested over the next three years. This investment will help Canada’s regulatory system ensure that, before reaching the marketplace, biotechnology products are safe for human and animal health and the environment.

BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS RESPONSE

Yes, we totally endorse mandatory labelling. In that regard, Ms. Hélène Alarie, the Bloc Québécois Agriculture and Agri-Food critic, tabled a bill (C-309) asking for mandatory labelling of foods containing GMOs.

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