As MPs began debating a proposal for a moratorium on genetically modified alfalfa, agriculture minister Gerry Ritz said there is no prospect GM alfalfa will be approved.
“We do have a case-by-case situation that we always put in place in Canada,” Ritz said March 10 after a speech to the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.
“We look at a number of factors including net benefit and so forth but having said that, there has been no demand for it so we have no intention of moving forward.”
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At the House of Commons agriculture committee that day, debate started on a motion moved by Liberal Wayne Easter and supported by New Democrat and Bloc Québécois MPs recommending to government that no GM alfalfa variety be approved for market until studies prove it would not harm the alfalfa industry or export markets.
Easter said he was not prejudging the product, simply responding to fears expressed by organic growers during committee hearings on biotechnology. At present, there is no Canadian proposal to have GM alfalfa approved.
“This is a moratorium, not a ban,” said Easter. “It is to let government ensure that there are no negative implications.”
Ritz said that while a GM alfalfa will not be approved any time soon, he opposes the proposal for a politically motivated moratorium.
“I’m not going to go as far as Mr. Easter and say there’s a moratorium. That stifles investment and science,” he said.
FOR A RELATED STORY, SEE PAGE 113.
