Update: Application for Environmental Assessment of GM Alfalfa in Ontario not Warranted
Posted: October 18, 2013
Categories: Food in the News / News from Sustain Members
In July 2013, farmers Diane Dowling and Dave Lewington submitted a formal application under Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights, of behalf of the National Farmers Union (NFU), the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) and the Organic Agriculture Protection Fund (OAPF), requesting that the Ontario government complete an environmental assessment of genetically modified (GM) alfalfa.
Satisfying the legislated requirements for such an assessment, the application outlined a number of possible negative environmental and economic consequences from introducing GM alfalfa into Ontario markets. Among other things, it highlighted that GM contamination in non-GM crops may be unavoidable, therefore compromising the degree of biodiversity in the province and the marketability of organic and GM free products. Moreover, the authors suggested that the GM breed may impose new production costs to farmers wishing to avoid the GM characteristics thus negatively affecting the agricultural economy and community.
As quoted in a recent media release, Phil Woodhouse, President of NFU Grey County Local said, “GM alfalfa threatens to contaminate our fields if it’s released. If planted in Ontario, the losses and costs will be off-loaded onto people like us who don’t want GM alfalfa while the regulators, the sellers and the small number of potential buyers refuse all responsibility for their actions.”
On October 7, 2013, after three months of deliberation, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment concluded that the issue does not warrant a review under the Environmental Bill of Rights. As the ministry clarified in the Decision Summary, “the sale and distribution of GM seed is federally regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada … a new provincial regulation making activities on the sale and distribution of GM seed subject to the Environmental Assessment Act would overlap with the existing federal regulation.” As a result, the application has been dismissed.
Ann Slater, NFU member from St. Marys, Ontario commented on the application’s dismissal. “We expected the Ministry to respond to the specific request made and, in a review, seek the evidence necessary for it to fully understand the implications of releasing GM herbicide tolerant alfalfa into the Ontario environment. We are very disappointed that instead, it has decided to stand aside from this important public question.”
For more information read the full Decision Summary or contact:
Ann Slater, NFU Member, St. Marys, ON: (519) 349-2448 Email: aslater@quadro.net
Phil Woodhouse, NFU Grey County Local: (519) 599-5041 Email: pwoodhouse9@gmail.com
Dianne Dowling, Environmental Assessment applicant: (613) 546-0869
Dave Lewington, Environmental Assessment applicant: (705) 594-1823