THE HOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD
 TABLES ITS REPORT ON THE LABELLING OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD
 AND ITS IMPACTS ON FARMERS

PRESS RELEASE

Ottawa, June 5, 2002 – Mr. Charles Hubbard, Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, tabled in Parliament today the Committee’s report on how the labelling of genetically modified food may affect farmers.

“Consumers have a legitimate desire for information, but it is essential to develop a standard for providing sound information on genetically modified foods.  It is also important to have a thorough understanding of all the implications of labelling for the agri-food industry and for international trade,” said Mr. Hubbard.

“Issues surrounding the use of biotechnology are extremely important for Canadian agriculture,” noted Howard Hilstrom, Committee Vice Chair.  “I am pleased with the direction taken in the Committee report. I am confident that, upon the adoption of the voluntary labelling recommended in the report, Canada will have the best, and the most informative to consumers, labelling regime in the world.”

The Committee made four recommendations to help the government provide adequate information to farmers and consumers with regard to the labelling of genetically modified foods.

The report is entitled Labelling of Genetically Modified Food and Its Impacts on Farmers, and is available on the Parliament of Canada’s Web site at: . Copies can also be obtained by contacting the Clerk of the Standing Committee:

E-mail: agri@parl.gc.ca

Telephone: (613) 947-6732

Facsimile: (613) 996-1962