Halifax, Thursday, March 11, 2010 – The corporate sponsor of this week’s Brier, biotechnology company Monsanto, is under intense scrutiny from environmental, consumer and farmer groups in Nova Scotia, and across Canada and the world.

Canadian Farm and Consumer Groups Urge U.S. Department of Agriculture to Stop Monsanto’s New GE Seed

Saskatoon, March 3, 2010 - Today a number of prominent Canadian farmer and consumer groups urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) not to permit the introduction of Monsanto’s genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa in the U.S., citing serious concerns about the future of organic food and farming in North America

February 9, 2010. Ottawa, Montreal, Washington, Tokyo, Sydney: 233 consumer and farmer groups in 26 countries have joined the “Definitive Global Rejection of GM Wheat” statement to stop the commercialization of genetically modified (GM) wheat and remind the biotechnology corporation Monsanto that genetically modifying this major crop is not acceptable to farmers or consumers. (1)

Safety Approval of Monsanto’s New GM Corn Questioned

Tuesday, December 1. Ottawa - Today in Ottawa an international panel of scientists will challenge Canada’s regulation of genetically modified (GM) foods, in particular Health Canada’s failure to assess the controversial new eight-trait GM corn from Monsanto, called “SmartStax”. The panel is speaking on the same day that Parliamentary hearings on the regulation of GM foods begin.

European Consumers Warned that Trade Deal with Canada could be used to Weaken GMO Regulations

Thursday, October 22, Ottawa - An alliance of Canadian groups is warning European consumers that an economic partnership agreement with Canada could threaten Europe’s regulations of genetically modified (GM) foods and crops. The Canadian groups, under the umbrella of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, are highlighting dangers if the European Union gives in to the biotech industry by recognizing Canada’s substantially weaker GM regulations.

Challenge approval of new eight-trait GM “SmartStax” corn

Friday, October 16, 2009 - Today Canadians opposing Monsanto’s genetically modified (GM) crops will join the first “International Day of Action Against Multinational Corporations” that has been initiated by the global farmers’ movement called La Via Campesina. Canadians will support this year’s focus on Monsanto and GM crops by inundating the Minister of Health with letters and calls asking for the immediate withdrawal of approval for Monsanto’s GM “SmartStax” corn, authorized without safety assessment from Health Canada.

But Canadian farmers still have no answers

Ottawa, Monday, October 5, 2009 – 28 countries, including more European countries as well as Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Thailand, have now been affected by contamination from genetically modified (GM) flax in Canadian exports since contamination was first reported on September 8.

Contamination of European food threatens Canadian export markets

September 10, 2009. Ottawa -The European Commission’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed has confirmed the contamination of Canadian flax exports with a genetically modified (GM) flax, devastating Canadian flax sales to Europe. The GM flax has been illegal to grow in Canada since 2001 when flax growers forced the government to take the product off the market. A German company confirmed the GM contamination in its cereals and bakery products.

Canada Ignores International Food Safety Guidelines

Ottawa, Wednesday July 29, 2009. Today the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) demanded that the federal government immediately withdraw authorization for ‘SmartStax,’ a genetically engineered (GE), eight-trait corn, until Health Canada undertakes exhaustive and independent tests.

No environmental risk assessment, and reduced environmental stewardship requirements for new Monsanto/Dow “SmartStax”

Ottawa, Friday, July 24, 2009. Farmer and environmental groups in the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) are warning of several dangerous consequences of Canada’s approval of Monsanto and Dow’s new eight-trait “SmartStax” genetically engineered (GE, also called genetic modification or GM) corn, indicating a further weakening of regulations of environmental risk.