MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2001

(OTTAWA) - More than 80 groups have joined the push to get the federal government to listen to Canadians and implement mandatory labelling of genetically engineered (GE) foods. The unprecedented support comes as private member's bill C-287 enters second reading in the House.

If passed, Liberal MP Charles Caccia's bill would make food companies label their GE food. But there's concern the bill will die unless enough MPs vote in the fall to send the bill to committee and to a final vote in the House.

To build support for the bill, a letter is being circulated across Canada to encourage support for C-287. To date, more than 80 groups have signed and many of the groups are promising a summer of mobilization as MPs return to their ridings.

"All MPs, and Minister Rock in particular, should support this bill to make sure a much needed democratic debate takes place in Parliament" says Nadège Adam, Health Protection Campaigner for the Council of Canadians. "Few other initiatives have had a 93 per cent public support rate for six years in a row."

"Canada's jacking up MPs' salaries because they say we're falling behind world standards," said Eric Darier of Greenpeace. "But 35 countries are adopting mandatory labelling, protecting more than a billion people. We're falling behind the world - way behind - and Canadians are demanding we keep up."

"Not only do Canadians want mandatory labelling, the world expects it," said Brewster Kneen of BC Biotechnology Circle. "From beer to canola and from Europe to Japan, our customers want GE food labelled. How many customers to we have to lose before the government gets it?"

Caccia's bill is timely since the Royal Society of Canada's report, which contains 53 recommendations calling for the overhaul of the GE regulatory process, continues to be ignored by government officials since its release last February.

The Globe and Mail's Edward Greenspon has called this a "private member's bill worth supporting".

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