Genetic modification must be regulated
This is a copy of a letter written to our MP, Andrew Scheer, to ask him to take action to ensure government safety assessments for all genetically engineered foods and plants. Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are proposing to exempt many new genetically engineered foods and plants from regulation and allow them onto the market with no government safety oversight. This is unacceptable to us. We want independent science and transparency.
We as farmers see the relaxation of regulations as a real disaster going forward. We will see our seeds patented and then the deregulation of our seeds we now use. Farmers will be forced to buy those patented seeds, pay royalties and be forced to use inputs genetically engineered seeds require. This will be disaster for the organic sector.
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In our view, there is absolutely no forward research on the effect the evolution of genetically engineered seeds would have on the world’s future environment. Instead, the focus will be only for return on investment for the hedge fund investor. The world of agriculture will be heading into uncharted territory, and the genie will be out of the jar with the scary part of no chance of return to normal.
I ask government agencies in charge of the regulation of seeds and plants to take a long look at the future implications of your action. You will regret not standing up for agriculture.
Erling Brakefield,
Wynyard, Sask.
