WINNIPEG – Time is an ally for supporters of genetically modified food, says a grain industry consultant.
“With every passing day, the credibility of biotech products is being enhanced,” said Doug Mutch, who has represented the industry in negotiations for an international agreement on biosafety.
Speaking to the annual conference of the Canada Grains Council, Mutch said the more time that goes by without any legitimate health or safety issues arising, the less attention the general public will pay to critics of GM food.
“The products are in the system and there are no demonstrable problems,” he said, adding he has no doubt transgenic products approved in Canada are rigorously tested and totally safe.
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In his optimistic moments, he said, he believes the campaign to discredit biotech food products has peaked and that the “scare-mongers” are losing credibility.
Mary Lou Garr, vice-chair of AgCare, an Ontario-based coalition of farm groups that speaks in defence of biotechnology, said she also harbors some hope that the tide may be turning.
She said a major publicity campaign carried out by Greenpeace during the first week of April, which included demonstrations at grocery stores, failed to get much coverage in the Ontario or national media.
“Maybe the media are tired of it.”
Dale Adolphe, president of the Canola Council of Canada, agrees there has been less media coverage of the issue in recent months, but he isn’t about to start popping the champagne corks.
“I’d hate to stand here and say we’re winning the battle, because it may be the lull before the storm and we could be buried tomorrow.”
He said some anti-GMO groups may be quieter these days because they think they’re winning on issues like the international biosafety protocol and labeling requirements.
