Corporations

Op Ed – Health Minister must ensure new gene edited foods are properly and democratically regulated

 On May 18, Health Canada announced how it will regulate foods from gene-edited plants. The new “regulatory guidance” turns its back on science and transparency by actually exempting many new gene-edited foods from regulation. Our health minister, Jean-Yves Duclos, has decided to allow Health Canada to open the door for product developers to sell gene-edited organisms without any government oversight. He has abandoned his responsibility to Canadians who rely on the government to ensure our food system is safe. Without proper regulation, there is no assurance for Canadians or our export customers, that our products are safe. Read more

Take Action: Stop the CFIA from abandoning GM seed regulation!

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) wants to make gene-edited genetically engineered (genetically modified or GM) plants and seed exempt from regulation. Instead, it would let private companies decide if their own products are safe for the environment — and put them on the market without revealing they are gene-edited. Tell the Minister you want Read more

Canada should reject compromise proposal on TRIPS waiver in its present form: civil society groups

Canadian organizations concerned with vaccine equity and the TRIPS waiver negotiations at the World Trade Organization are urging the Canadian government to not accept a compromise counterproposal negotiated by the United States, European Union, India and South Africa, but to work with WTO members to fix its deficiencies. For more on the TRIPS waiver, see https://policyalternatives.ca/newsroom/updates/trips-covid-19-waiver. Read more

Letter: Budget 2022 – Economic Dignity for Farmers

While global crises multiply and intensify it is clear that we can no longer afford a food and agriculture system designed to maximize the ability of the most powerful to extract value with “just in time” and “lean” approaches while leaving farmers, workers and consumers and our communities to absorb mounting costs and burdens. Budget 2022 is the perfect time to begin building a policy framework that provides the economic dignity and resilience Canadians need to navigate our interdependent future with confidence. Read more

Presentation to Agriculture Committee on Supply Chain Issues

NFU President, Katie Ward, appeared before the House of Commons Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food on February 17, 2022. View the video of her presentation starting at the 15:37:25 minute mark. Good afternoon Mr. Chairman, and members of the Committee. I am pleased to provide insights and recommendations from the National Farmers Union regarding agriculture Read more

Passez à l’action : Arrêtez l’ACIA d’abandonner la réglementation sur les semences GM !

L’Agence canadienne d’inspection des aliments (ACIA) veut exempter des règlements les plantes et les semences transgéniques (génétiquement modifiées ou GM). Au lieu de ça, elle laissserait les compagnies privées décider si leurs propres produits sont sécuritaires pour l’environnement – et de les mettre en marché sans pour autant révéler qu’ils soient génétiquement modifiés. Dites à Read more

Request for investigation of fertilizer pricing in Canada

On January 12, the NFU sent the following letter asking the Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food to launch an investigation into fertilizer prices. Dear Mr. Blois, RE: Request for investigation of fertilizer pricing in Canada The National Farmers Union (NFU) is concerned about possible profiteering by fertilizer companies. Read more

CFIA gene editing regulatory proposal not science-based or transparent

Canada is deciding how to regulate gene-edited plants – and is largely proposing not to. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for regulating genetically engineered (genetically modified or GM) plants for environmental safety under the Seeds Act Regulations - Part V. These regulations define what is considered a “Plant with Novel Traits” (PNTs) and how PNTs are regulated. The CFIA is proposing a new interpretation that would exempt many gene edited plants right away, and more in the future. The proposed regulatory guidance turns its back on science, allows biotech companies to determine safety, and leaves farmers, future regulators and the public in the dark. Read more

PEI’s Land and Water Need Protection, says NFU

The concerns surrounding our land can’t be separated from the usage of water. If exploitation of the land is allowed to continue, then exploitation of water will increase. The NFU takes the position that if the role of water is to be extended in agriculture production, then its usage must be a regulated part of a far broader strategy that addresses stewardship of the land and the greater good of farmers, the environment, and rural communities. Read more

NFU asks necessary questions

Calls for increased transparency, clear guardrails on spending, and a basic appreciation for the economic realities facing our farmers should be enthusiastically welcomed in a province that clearly values the benefits farms bring to our communities. Read more