Bill 474 and GMO's

Via Tom Paton

Support Bill C-474 - before Monday March 29, 2010 - Support Canada's
> > Farmers! You can stop GE Alfalfa and GE Wheat!
> >
> > Write a letter to your MP instantly from http://www.cban.ca/474action
> > Take action this week! before March 29, 2010.
> >
> > Your actions gave the Bill another chance! Private Members Bill C-474
> > will be debated for a second hour in Parliament March 29. The vote
> > will happen a few days later. Even if you have already written your
> > MP, you are encouraged to send another letter before March 29
> > http://www.cban.ca/474action
> >
> > Your concrete action could stop genetically engineered (GE) seeds from
> > causing chaos in Canadian farming!
> >
> > Bill C-474 would require that "an analysis of potential harm to export
> > markets be conducted before the sale of any new genetically engineered
> > seed is permitted." The Bill could stop GE alfalfa and GE wheat.
> >
> > This Bill is critically important because, as we know from experience,
> > the introduction of new genetically engineered (GE) crops can cause
> > economic hardship to farmers. Farmers are at risk when GE crops are
> > commercialized in Canada without also being approved in our major
> > export markets.
> >
> > Flax farmers in Canada are now paying a heavy price because of this
> > exact problem. Late last year, Canadian flax exports were discovered
> > contaminated with a GE flax that is not approved in Europe or in any
> > of our other export markets (except the U.S.). Flax farmers actually
> > foresaw that GE contamination or even the threat of contamination
> > would close their export markets. That's why they took steps in 2001
> > to remove GE flax from the market. Despite this measure, flax farmers
> > were not protected. The GE flax contamination closed our export
> > markets in 2009. It has created market uncertainty and depressed
> > prices. Farmers are also paying for testing and cleanup and may be
> > required to abandon their own farm-saved flax seed and buy certified
> > seed instead. These costs are an unnecessary and preventable burden.
> >
> > We cannot allow GE seeds to harm our export markets. Please support
> > Bill C-474 and protect Canada's farmers.
> >
> > Write a letter to your MP instantly from http://www.cban.ca/474action
> > Take action before March 29, 2010.
> >
> > Bill C-474 was introduced by Alex Atamanenko, the NDP Agriculture
> > Critic and MP for British Columbia Southern Interior.
> >
> > For updates, more info and action options see http://www.cban.ca/474
> > or contact Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator, Canadian Biotechnology Action
> > Network coordinator@cban.ca 613 241 2267 ext. 6
> >
> > This action alert was issued by the Canadian Biotechnology Action
> > Network (CBAN) http://www.cban.ca
> >
> >
> > Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator
> > Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN)
> > Collaborative Campaigning for Food Sovereignty and Environmental
> > Justice
> > 431 Gilmour Street, Second Floor
> > Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K2P 0R5
> > Phone: 613 241 2267 ext.6
> > Fax: 613 241 2506
> > coordinator@cban.ca
> > www.cban.ca
> >
> > Your action to support Bill C-474 is making a difference! Support
> > Canada's Farmers!
> > Write to your MP instantly from http://www.cban.ca/474action
> > Take action before March 29, 2010.
>