These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
Labelling GMO Products
Mr.
Bernard Bigras (Rosemont—Petite-Patrie, BQ): Mr. Speaker, yesterday,
while Europe was putting into force its rigorous regulations on labelling
and GMOs, Canada adopted a voluntary standard on the labelling of GMO
products.
How can the minister explain that, contrary to what is being done in close
to 40 countries, the federal government did not side with Quebec and
Canadian consumers but rather preferred the report of the Canadian General
Standards Board, which is proposing voluntary labelling of GMOs?
[English]
Hon. Bob Speller (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.):
Yes, Mr. Speaker, the Canadian government does take very seriously the
health and safety of Canadians. That is why we have worked with this
standards branch in order to bring in a standard that in fact allows
Canadians access to the information they need to make decisions on the
food they eat.
[Translation]
Mr. Bernard Bigras (Rosemont—Petite-Patrie, BQ): Mr. Speaker,
close to 90% of Quebeckers want to know what they are eating. Yet, Canada
is accommodating the industry, at the expense of greater transparency, as
demanded by consumers.
How can the Minister of Agriculture claim that the new voluntary labelling
standard for GMOs will help meet consumers' wishes for mandatory labelling?
[English]
Hon. Bob Speller (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.): In
fact, Mr. Speaker, Canadians can have the assurance that the food they eat
is not only some of the highest quality but some of the safest food in the
world.
We managed, through these groups, to have a number of groups come
together. It was due to the recommendation of all the different groups
that came together that we have a voluntary labelling system that allows
Canadians the opportunity to know what is in their food.
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