These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
WTO Negotiations
Mr. Bernard Bigras
(Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, BQ): Mr. Speaker, on Friday, the council
of environment ministers of the European Union decided to maintain the
right of member states to ban certain types of genetically modified corn
and rapeseed in order to protect public health and the environment, a
right that is currently in dispute before the WTO.
Given Europe's decision to
protect public health and the environment, will Canada consider today
withdrawing its complaint before the WTO?
[English]
Hon. Andy Mitchell
(Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, here in
Canada we have a very clear way in which we handle GM products. It is very
intense. We deal with a scrutiny in terms of any product that would come
to market. Our absolute priority is to ensure the safety of Canadian
consumers. That is what we do.
[Translation]
Mr. Bernard Bigras
(Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, BQ): Mr. Speaker, Canada, like the
United States and Argentina, is contesting these bans at the WTO on the
basis of freedom of trade, and contends that the product must be proven
unsafe before it is banned, while Europe contends that the product must be
proven safe before it is authorized.
How can the Canadian
government continue its proceedings at the WTO in the name of free trade
and ignore the legitimate concerns of consumers over the potential dangers
of genetic modification?
[English]
Hon. Andy Mitchell
(Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, Canada's
position is not in terms of free trade. It is in terms of protecting
Canadian consumers. Before we provide a licence to any product for
distribution in this country, we make absolutely certain that we undertake
the necessary investigations to ensure it is safe for Canadian consumers.
That is what we do in terms of our licensing process. That is what we have
done in the past and that is what we will continue to do in the future.
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