[BCFSN] Langley Events Reminder: Rockstar Farmer Tour & Land Linking!

[Kristen Nammour]

Hello all,
please see below.
My apologies if this has already been posted.
in good food,
Abra

Press Release -

CBAN Launches “GMO Inquiry 2015”
20 Years of unanswered questions on genetic modification in Canada

January 27, 2015. Ottawa. The Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN)
has launched a major public investigation to dig behind 20 years of
uncertainty around genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and
farming in Canada. The project will be called GMO Inquiry 2015.

“We’re stepping up with our own inquiry because our government doesn’t
track the impacts of GM crops and foods in Canada,” said CBAN Coordinator
Lucy Sharratt. “Our government doesn’t even tell us where GMOs are on our
grocery store shelves. After 20 years of secrecy and confusion, Canadians
deserve some real information about the impacts and risks.”

In 1995, the Canadian government approved the first genetically modified
(GM, also called genetically engineered or GE) crops and foods: 8
herbicide-tolerant canola varieties as well as the first GM soybean (also
herbicide-tolerant), two types of GM delayed-ripening tomatoes (both
withdrawn from the market by the companies), and the first varieties of
Monsanto’s GM insect-resistant potatoes (also later withdrawn from the
market by the company).

“Our government introduced genetically modified crops without a public
debate or any GM food labelling for consumer choice,” said Taarini Chopra,
also of CBAN. “It’s time we get to the truth about how GM technology is
changing food and farming in Canada. Critical questions about the impacts
of GMOs on our health, our environment, and our economy, remain unanswered.”

CBAN will publish new research throughout the year, examining the major
questions of environmental, economic and health impacts of GMOs in Canada.

In 2015, CBAN will investigate:
1.     Where GM foods and crops are found across the world, and how much is
grown in Canada;
2.     The impacts of GM crops on the environment;
3.     The issues raised by GM foods for consumers, including safety;
4.     The impacts of GM crops on farmers;
5.     The state of GMO regulation in Canada;
6.     Whether or not we need GM crops to feed the world.

CBAN invites Canadians to send in their questions to help shape the inquiry
at www.GMOinquiry.ca <http://www.gmoinquiry.ca/>

CBAN says their inquiry is urgent because the government has already
approved GM 2,4-D- and dicamba-tolerant crops and could soon approve
unprecedented GM foods, including the first-ever GM apple and the first GM
food animal in the world (a GM salmon).

-30-

More information: Lucy Sharratt, CBAN, cell 613 809 1103; Taarini Chopra,
CBAN, cell 226 606 8240.

The GMO Inquiry 2015 (www.GMOinquiry.ca <http://www.gmoinquiry.ca/>) is a
project of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) www.cban.ca.
CBAN is a campaign coalition of 17 organizations that researches, monitors
and raises awareness about issues relating to genetic engineering in food
and farming. CBAN members include farmer associations, environmental and
social justice organizations, and regional coalitions of grassroots groups.
CBAN is a project of Tides Canada Initiatives.



--
Abra Brynne
PO Box 684, Nelson, BC V1L 5R4
phone: 250.352.5342
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