Mr. Speaker, as the campaign calling on the government to make labelling of genetically modified organisms mandatory continues, I would like to make a few comments.
First of all, this campaign is aimed at consumers, without any political overtones. They have the right to know what they have in their shopping cart and they certainly have the right to know what is on their plate.
The campaign warns farmers interested in the ongoing and long term effects on the environment, soil and the water table about these farming practices.
The campaign is intended to alert religious groups, members of ethnic groups and certain vegetarians with dietary restrictions. For them, labelling is essential. The same goes for parents concerned about the safety of the food their children eat, particularly if they suffer from allergies to such things as seafood.
Hence this demand, and Bill C-309 on mandatory labelling of genetically modified foods.
I hope that most members of the House, who represent consumers, will support this bill, in the interests of their constituents' well-being.