national
farmers union
GANANOQUE, ONT - "Few Canadians are aware that key decisions about the safety of their food will be made in coming weeks by international bureaucrats," said Peter Dowling, NFU Coordinator for Ontario. "That is why we are demanding action and accountability from the government."
In a strongly-worded letter to federal Health Minister Allan Rock sent late last week, Dowling focused on Canadian involvement in this month's meetings of Codex Alimentarius, which sets international standards for food products. "As the Minister responsible for the health and safety of Canadians, will you assure us that our Canadian delegations will represent the interests of the Canadian people?" he asked.
The Codex Alimentarius Commission is a joint creation of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO.) Its stated purpose is two-fold: to protect consumers' health and to ensure fair practices in international food trade.
Dowling's letter pointed out that through its work on Bovine Growth Hormone (BGH - a genetically engineered drug injected into dairy cows to increase milk production), the NFU has become increasingly aware of shortcomings in the Codex process and in the work of Canadian representatives. "Revelations of serious breaches in procedure, and collusion with corporate interests, cast a pall of suspicion over the entire Codex process," Dowling said.
"In an increasingly inter-connected world, Canada must staunchly defend the principles of food safety, both at home and internationally," Dowling told the Minister. "Canadians expect questions of food safety to be subject to the Precautionary Principle, which is inherent in the Food and Drug Act. However, to date we have not seen this expectation fulfilled by the Canadian government in its role in the Codex process."
Dowling reminded Rock of the importance of upcoming Codex meetings. This week, (April 19 - 23) Canadian bureaucrats will attend the Codex Committee on General Principles in Paris. Next week (April 27 - 30) Ottawa will host the Codex Committee on Labeling, and at the end of June, the full Codex Commission will meet in Rome.
Dowling concluded, "As farmers, our livelihoods and the economic viability of our communities depend on consumer confidence in the safety of our products. We are therefore intensely aware of the public demand for the highest standards and rigorous independent enforcement of food safety."
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