March 2000 / OCPA Newsletter
Despite the usual amount of misinformation which has been released by the
media as a result of the Biosafety Protocol Protocol agreement
developed in Montreal in late January (it is still to be (ratified by member
countries), the agreement provides for no restrictions when the GE
crop or product is non living. So, there are few implications for Ontario
corn where exports to developed countries, other than the U.S., are
almost always as processed products such as starch, sugar, oil, manufactured
foods, byproduct feeds and meat.
The protocol will also likely have limited effects on shipments of living GE
grains and oilseeds from Canada, considering many developed
countries already have restrictions on these imports. And developing
countries normally just want safe food. The imports must be
accompanied by suitable documentation stating that they may contain GE
ingredients.
The protocol adds further incentive to Canadian efforts to process or feed
grains at home before export.
The biggest complication may be for exports of non-GE grains and oilseeds
where some mixing may have occurred - for example, canola
fines in shipments of wheat. The devil will be in the detail in these cases;
tolerances have still to be established.
The protocol allows for countries to limit imports even though there is no
scientific proof of expected environmental damage. This is not
consistent with a science-based approach. But, in practice, many countries
are beginning to do this. Countries retain all rights under the
World Trade Agreement. But without doubt, there will be a myriad of
international disputes ahead.
The key message from the protocol must be repeated: process Canadian grains
and oilseeds at home and export processed products. This
has been the OCPA export market philosophy for many years.
(posted without permission)
