Two Health Canada scientists have launched a court challenge of a gag order barring them from speaking publicly about food risks. The NFU will intervene in that challenge.

In a September 24th news release, NFU Region 3 (Ontario) Coordinator Peter Dowling explained: "Shiv Chopra and Margaret Haydon are highly qualified scientists who take their responsibility for food safety seriously." The two Canadian Health Protection Branch scientists appeared before the Senate Agriculture Committee last fall and blew the whistle on the dangers of rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone): a controversial genetically-engineered hormone for dairy cattle.

"Through our years of involvement in the milk hormone issue, the NFU has seen the seamy side of the whole regulatory process. The gag order against Chopra and Haydon is part of a larger picture in the Health Protection Branch, where a climate of secrecy prevails and drug company interests take precedence over public safety and legitimate doubts and disagreements are silenced. If this situation continues, the whole food system will suffer," said Dowling.

Farmers have a direct interest in ensuring the integrity, transparency, and accountability of Health Canada's food regulatory processes. The market for the food we produce is heavily dependent on consumer trust in its purity and safety. The precautionary principle, embodied in the Food and Drug Act, is intended to protect that trust and Health Canada must implement that principle.

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