Agriculture workers take part in Toronto's annual Labour Day parade. Photo: Meagan Perry
agriculture industry
Genetic engineering in Canada to get full political debate
For Immediate Release
Ottawa. Thursday, December 2, 2010 - In a surprise move yesterday evening in the House of Commons, the New Democratic Party secured an extended debate, of up to five hours, on the highly controversial Bill C-474 on genetically engineered (GE) crops, currently in third reading.
"We are very excited that, for the first time, all members of parliament will have the chance to participate in a substantive debate on genetic engineering," said Lucy Sharratt, co-ordinator of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network. "In our 15 year history with this technology, a five-hour debate in the House of Commons on genetic engineering is unprecedented."
Monsanto
Monsanto is an infamous and large multi-national that is an example of how corporate involvement has threatened safe, sustainable agriculture. Monsanto is the world's top producer of genetically modified (GM) seeds that can withstand the harsh herbicides it produces, such as Roundup. They account for 90 per cent of all genetically engineer seeds in the United States.
