Farmers betrayed by Parliament says Green Party

OTTAWA -- Parliament had a chance to stand up for Farmers and pass Bill C -474 to protect our farms from market destroying genetically modified organisms (GMO). The Conservatives and Liberals killed the bill and squashed farmers’ hopes for fair treatment from seed corporations.

“GMO seed are a trap for farmers”, said Kate Storey, prairie farmer and Agriculture Critic for the Green Party of Canada.  “Our customers don’t want GMO crops but GMO seed is forced on us. Canadian farmers lost millions in 2009 when flax was contaminated. We’ve lost the organic canola market. And now the alfalfa market is threatened by GMOs.”

Bill C-474 called for consideration of economic impact for new GMO seed registrations.  It was defeated by the Conservative and Liberal Parties on Wednesday.  “This bill was commonsense. It called for market research and that is just sound economic practice” said Storey. “By voting this down, Parliament clearly showed that it is taking orders from big business. Farmers have become nothing more than a hedge against the weather.”

The Green Party stands up for the growing number of Canadian farmers who want to keep their fields GMO free.

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Contact Information:
Debra Eindiguer
Press Secretary
Green Party of Canada
media@greenparty.ca
c: 613.240.8921