Evidence of meeting #43 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was products.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:50 p.m.
Professor, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia
Countries that didn't accept it before that have now accepted it?
4:50 p.m.
Professor, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia
I'm not sure of the numbers. I think there may be, yes, a small number that have, particularly in Africa. I know that Australia has moved from a non-GMO stance to accepting GMO.
Once we get into GMO wheat, which is back on the agenda again, it will change a lot of things around the world agriculturally.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Larry Miller
You're just on the edge. If you have a very quick question, I'll allow it.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Bev Shipley Conservative Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON
That's all right. I want to make sure my colleagues have another turn.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
December 1st, 2009 / 4:50 p.m.
Bloc
France Bonsant Bloc Compton—Stanstead, QC
Mr. Arnold, a little earlier, you said that studies show that some GMOs are harmful to animals. Animals and humans are not far apart. You also said that they may also be harmful to the soil.
Do they dry the soil out? Does it contain more nitrogen or pesticides? What do GMOs do to the soil?
4:50 p.m.
Executive Director, Option consommateurs
François is in a better position to answer your question than I am.
4:50 p.m.
Analyst, Agri-food, Option consommateurs
As we mentioned in our presentation, it is a question of perception. The data we have come from polls in which Canadians were asked what concerned them. Some brought up allergies. These are perceptions, they are not scientifically proven. But they are widely held.
As Mr. Ellis mentioned, the risks are extremely complex and extremely numerous. There are issues of genetic contamination and there are long-term health concerns. We do not know. That is why we support the precautionary principle so strongly. Especially since, in some cases, industry data shows that 90% of some products are modified. So I assume that it is true. In Canada, the amount of modified canola is extremely high; 50% or 60% of soya and corn are modified. Inevitably, these products will show up in the food chain.
We feel that that comes with risks, but we are unable to put figures to it because we do not have the scientific data that would enable us to nail it down. But it is so pervasive that, at a minimum, the precautionary principle has to be applied. The precautionary principle states that, in the absence of certainty...When the risk is high, the principle must be applied. Science will never be able to give us 100% certainty.
4:50 p.m.
Bloc
France Bonsant Bloc Compton—Stanstead, QC
Do you mean that GMO producers and scientists cannot guarantee 100% that there will be no side effects, just as they cannot guarantee 100% that there will?
4:50 p.m.
Analyst, Agri-food, Option consommateurs
Science will never be able to do that.
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Bloc
France Bonsant Bloc Compton—Stanstead, QC
Let us take companies like Cargill and Monsanto as examples. It always goes back to what happened in India. Monsanto was making cotton-based products, but the cotton was infested with pests and half the cotton fields were devastated. When people found that out, they began to be afraid of GMOs. But the seeds must have been approved.
Who approves these products? Is it the company, like Monsanto or Cargill? Is it done in strict secrecy? Perhaps they do not want to reveal their secrets. Is approval done by Health Canada scientists? Who grants the certification, the approval for a product before it can be sold?
4:55 p.m.
Bloc
France Bonsant Bloc Compton—Stanstead, QC
Yes. They do not have the same laws in India. I live in Canada.
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Bloc
4:55 p.m.
Executive Director, Option consommateurs
There is a process that the industry has to go through to get its products approved.
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Bloc
France Bonsant Bloc Compton—Stanstead, QC
Is the approval not done by an independent company? Is it only done by the government?
Perhaps the scientists, Mr. Yada or Mr. Ellis, can answer the question. Do private companies do the approval or is it done by the companies themselves? That is where I am a little confused. I am uncomfortable with approving natural products. I am wondering where the approval of Monsanto products is done.
4:55 p.m.
Analyst, Agri-food, Option consommateurs
Natural health products are something else entirely. The company just sends in its own documents and there is no checking. That is a whole different world.
With GMOs, there is a whole process. Health Canada reviews the documents that the company sends, including the ones that deal with how wholesome the product is.
4:55 p.m.
Executive Director, Option consommateurs
I guess Health Canada scientists do it.