These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
GM Foods
Mr. Bernard Bigras
(Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, BQ): Mr. Speaker, Agriculture Canada and
Health Canada have given the green light to a variety of genetically
modified corn known as MON 863. Mice fed with this corn have developed
kidney abnormalities and elevated white blood cell counts.
How can the government
explain the approval of this product, when even an Agriculture Canada
employee is quoted as saying the CFIA is aware of the Monsanto data but it
hasn't changed their assessment.
[English]
Hon. Ujjal Dosanjh
(Minister of Health, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, this particular material has
been tested throughout the world, particularly in the G-8 countries. Many
of those countries have had this particular substance approved.
After the results of these
tests came to light, no jurisdiction, after the review, has actually
dismissed this substance as useless.
Therefore I suggest to the
hon. member that Health Canada has followed the appropriate procedure in
maintaining the status quo.
[Translation]
Mr. Bernard Bigras
(Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, BQ): Mr. Speaker, I ask the minister,
would he be prepared to eat this type of corn tomorrow morning? A
Greenpeace spokesperson has said it would be wise to suspend approval of
this GM corn and to carry out another assessment.
Does the government intend
to follow Greenpeace's recommendation and suspend approval, or will it
continue to stick up for the huge multinational Monsanto?
[English]
Hon. Ujjal Dosanjh
(Minister of Health, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, Health Canada was made aware
of these results in 2004. Health Canada took into account its own review,
in addition to the conclusions of the European Food Safety Authority and
Food Standards Australia New Zealand which also reviewed the data in its
consideration. None of those particular agencies have taken this off the
market.
I choose my food
carefully, as do all other Canadians, and I eat Canadian food.
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