An Alberta Reform MP and medical doctor says he has read enough literature about dairy production growth hormones to suspect the resulting milk could be dangerous.
Grant Hill, Reform health critic, introduced a private member’s bill to the House of Commons two weeks ago calling for the labeling of milk or milk products produced from cows injected with bovine somatotropin.
“Consumers want this information,” he said. “I have read enough that I have doubts about the milk produced. As a consumer, I would not want my family treated as guinea pigs.”
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Proponents of BST say there is no difference in the milk. It is simply a protein-based drug that stimulates milk production but does not produce different milk.
But Hill last week talked about “genetically engineered milk” and proposed that labels be required. The industry has opposed labeling suggestions.
“The bill has larger implications in terms of genetic technology in general,” Hill said Oct. 7 when he introduced the bill.
As a private member’s bill, it may never be debated and likely will never be voted on for approval.
But Hill wanted to make a point. “It will also look upon other foods that are genetically engineered.”
Proper testing
In the last Parliament, the Reform position on BST and genetic engineering was that it is science and new technology that should be subjected to proper science-based testing for health and safety, but not to politically inspired testing and labeling.
Hill said he is not an expert on the dairy industry and “how far down the chain” labeling should go.
But he said he receives “an astonishing number of letters” on the BST and genetic engineering issue.
Dairy producers may worry about creating a separate pooling system that could produce BST-free milk, “but the bigger worry for the industry should be the possibility of consumer reaction against genetically engineered food.”
