July 9, 2012. Ottawa - Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture posted over 160 pages of data from Okanagan Specialty Fruits pertaining to their request for approval of a genetically engineered (genetically modified or GM) “non-browning” apple.(1) The U.S. public now has 60 days to comment before a final decision is made by U.S. regulators.

Remaining GM pigs euthanized at the University of Guelph

Last night, Richmond City Council (British Columbia) unanimously confirmed a decision to make the city a GE Free Zone.

Following the initial unanimous decision by the General Purposes Committee on May 24, 250 Richmond residents turned out last night to support final approval at City Council. The biotechnology industry lobby group CropLife presented in a failed effort to dissuade councilors from approving the resolution.

“Teachers, parents, farmers, high school students, and other ordinary citizens packed City Hall and spent almost 3 hours making presentations to Council,” said local agrologist Arzeena Hamir with the Richmond Food Security Society. “We’re really proud of our City Council for taking this bold decision on our behalf. We hope that other communities can take similar action to stop these unwanted and unnecessary crops.”

Richmond is a municipality of almost 200,000 people to the south of Vancouver in British Columbia and has about 200 farms.

The City of Richmond agreed to oppose the cultivation of genetically engineered (GE, also called genetically modified or GM) plants and trees in the City, making an exception for the 3 dairy farms that already grow GM corn. The resolution states, “no further GM crops, trees or plants should be grown in the City of Richmond. This also includes GM fruit trees, all GM plants and shrubbery, GM vegetables, GM commodity crops and any and all field tests for medical and experimental GM crops.” The City also agreed to send letters to all levels of government “requesting strengthened management of genetically modified plants, and including the introduction of mandatory labelling requirements, more transparent assessment procedures and enhanced communication with the public.”

“There’s no room in our communities for crops like the proposed GM apple. We need to invest in organic farming rather than risk its future from GM contamination,” said Tony Beck of the Society for a GE Free BC.

“Last night, the industry tried to dismiss people's concerns about the safety of GM foods and crops but the public is right not to trust corporate tests that are kept secret from them and independent scientists.” said Dag Falck who presented at the meeting on behalf of Nature’s Path Foods which is headquartered in Richmond.

“Local communities are stepping up to protect BC’s environment and economy,” said Lucy Sharratt of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network. “The markets for iconic and economically important BC products could soon be destroyed if genetically modified organisms like GM apples and GM salmon are introduced.”

The Richmond Food Security Society and the Society for a Genetically Free (GE) BC introduced the resolution in 2010. Richmond joins other GE free zones in British Columbia such as Powell River, Kaslo, Nelson, New Denver, and Rossland.

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For more information: Arzeena Hamir, cell 604 727 9728; Dag Falck, cell 250 307 4992, Lucy Sharratt, 613 241 2267 x 25.

Press Release

Embargoed to 11:00 EST

“Feds should rule out GM food animals,” citizens’ group urges

Ottawa, April 2, 2012 – Today, the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) welcomed reports that the University of Guelph, the Canadian university that developed the controversial genetically modified (GM) pig called “Enviropig,” is closing down its active research on what could have become the first GM food animal approved in the world.

Family Outing Turns to Shock

Ottawa, March 27, 2012 - Young families visiting the Agriculture Museum at the Experimental Farm in Ottawa this weekend were shocked to find two genetically modified (GM) goats among the farm animals on display.

Family farms and organic food at risk from genetically modified alfalfa

Monday February 13, 2012 - Today, the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN), with the support of organic sector groups and businesses, launched a 3-minute animated YouTube video to educate consumers about the threat of genetically modified (GM) alfalfa to the future of family farms.

Trade policy would sacrifice safety, say groups.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011 – The Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) and Les AmiEs de la Terre de Québec, as part of a federal government stakeholder consultation, have submitted comments to Agriculture Canada objecting to proposals that would allow a level of contamination from genetically modified (GM) foods from other countries that have not been approved by Health Canada.

U.S and Canadian panel to present on the risks of genetically modified fish in Charlottetown

Charlottetown, October 19, 2011 - On Monday night October 24th, at The Charlottetown Rodd Hotel, U.S. and Canadian campaigners will speak about the stakes at hand with the introduction of genetically modified (GM, also called genetically engineered) Atlantic salmon in Canada and the U.S., and PEI’s central role as the proposed global supplier of GM salmon eggs.

Monday October 17, Ottawa. On Friday, the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) was informed that its registration to attend the “Feeding a Hungry World: Hunger Has No Boundaries – A Summit for Animal Agriculture”, which starts tonight with a keynote address from the President of the University of Guelph, was denied.

U.S. approval would trigger corporate plans to produce genetically modified salmon eggs in Canada, but Environment Canada remains silent

October 11, 2011. The White House has confirmed that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finished an environmental assessment of the genetically modified (GM) fast-growing Atlantic salmon called “AquaAdvantage”. The assessment is expected to be released to the U.S. public soon, for a 30-day comment period.