Regulations

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 Read more

NFU Briefing Note on proposed gene editing regulatory guidance

National Farmers Union BRIEFING NOTE regarding proposed regulatory guidances for plants and seeds produced using new biotechnologies (gene editing) Recommendations to Health Canada: • All gene-edited products, including those with Read more

Union Farmer Newsletter: February 2022

In this issue: NFU calls for Fertilizer Price Investigation CUSMA Dairy Trade Dispute Farmers Beware the Variety Use Agreement Gene Editing News NFU CALLS FOR FERTILIZER PRICE INVESTIGATION Farmers are Read more

Letter to Minister Bibeau re CFIA regulatory guidance for gene edited seed

Our submission raises very serious questions of governance, science, and the duty of the CFIA as public regulator to serve the public interest. We noted that in the process of developing the proposed guidance, the CFIA relied heavily on representatives of CropLife Canada, whose members stand to gain undue control of seed, and financially benefit from deregulation of gene edited products at the expense of farmers and the public good. This conflict of interest is at the heart of our concerns. The CFIA’s approach suggests it equates regulated parties with stakeholders. Regulated parties seek to avoid constraints on their business, while the public has a long-term stake in environmental safety and transparency. 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 Read more

Taking Stock of Abattoir Regulations

How provincial rules help or hinder regional meat production

The NFU's Taking Stock of Abattoir Regulations report reviews provincial regulations on slaughter, meat processing (cut/wrap), and marketing across Canada. It highlights common points and differences among the regulations, and identifies where specific aspects of these regulations (or how they are applied) create barriers to local and regional meat production, as well as those pieces that support thriving local and regional food systems and local producers. Read more

Union Farmer Newsletter: September – October 2021

In this issue: Precision, power and precaution: gene editing How – or whether – Canada regulates gene editing has far-reaching implications Proposed MRL increase for glyphosate leads to pause, planned Read more

NFU Submission to CFIA on Gene Editing Regulatory Guidance

Submission to CFIA on guidance for determining whether a plant is subject to Part V of the Seeds Regulations The NFU is a voluntary direct-membership, non-partisan, national farm organization made 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

Commentary on CFIA proposal for regulating gene-edited plants

The CFIA’s proposed guidance would allow plant developers (biotechnology companies) to decide for themselves whether their product meets the CFIA’s criteria for regulation as a PNT. It proposes to exempt from regulation genetically engineered plants that do not contain foreign DNA if they are not expected to result in any of four environmental impacts the CFIA lists. In addition, the proposed criteria would exempt some genetically engineered plants that have a trait previously approved by the CFIA, even if the approved trait was in another plant species or developed using different technology. Read more