Apr. 1 2000 / Ottawa Citizen/CP
An Environics poll released Friday was cited as saying that most Canadians say they would prefer to buy non-genetically modified foods, even if they were slightly more expensive.
The story notes that the poll was conducted for the Council of Canadians, which is holding information pickets with other activist groups at Loblaw's stores in 35 communities across Canada Saturday.
Among the poll's findings:
- Seventy-five per cent worry about the safety of genetically modified foods.
- Ninety-five per cent say consumers should be able to buy food that is not genetically modified.
- Ninety-five per cent believe genetically modified foods should always be labelled as such.
- Fifty-six per cent lack confidence in the government's ability to protect the safety and health of Canadians when it comes to GM foods.
Jennifer Story, a health protection campaigner with the Council of Canadians, was quoted as saying, "The results of this poll show there's a growing consumer revolt brewing against genetically engineered foods. As the country's biggest grocery chain, Loblaw's has an obligation to protect consumers by removing foods that have not been proven safe or, at least, to only carry foods that are clearly labelled as containing genetically engineered ingredients."
Doug Powell, an assistant professor in the department of plant agriculture at the University of Guelph was cited as saying Friday the poll results should be "taken with a grain of salt" and that while people will often say they are willing to pay more for a "safer" but more expensive product, it rarely translates into practice, adding, "Consumers vote at the check-out counter." Historically speaking, "they have no intention of paying more."
Powell said the fact that consumers haven't flocked to stores to buy organic products is proof of this, adding, "There is a general indication though that (consumers) want more information," about genetically modified foods.
The story says that the poll's release comes on the heels of a report from the U.S. Agriculture Department that reveals farmers plan to cut back on genetically engineered crops this year.
The pullback doesn't appear to be spreading to Canada, however. Terry Daynard, the executive vice-president of the Ontario Corn Producers' Association, was quoted as saying Friday, "It looks like farmers are looking to produce as much genetically enhanced corn this year as last year. The reduced insect damage is too great to ignore."
The CP wire story cited a coalition of agriculture groups calling itself AGCare as saying genetically modified foods are supported by scientists, regulators and farmers.
Powell was quoted as saying that a blossoming campaign by anti-biotechnology activists "has everything to do with political opportunism and nothing to do with food safety. Publicity stunts and sound-bite science trivialize the efforts of farmers, regulators and the food industry to improve the safety of the food supply."
AGCare notes that groups like Greenpeace and the Council of Canadians "have used the campaign against genetically engineered foods as the basis for major fundraising efforts over the last year."
The story notes that Canadian health-food stores are demanding "truth in labelling" for foods that have been genetically modified. This lobby effort, called Parents For A Safe Food Supply, "speaks to the right of all Canadians to choose what they are putting into their bodies," says Donna Herringer, president of the Canadian Health Food Association.
Environmentalist David Suzuki was quoted as saying in a statement supporting the health-food stores that, "The truth is that no one has studied the long-term health effects of consuming genetically modified foods. We are being subjected to a mass experiment without giving our informed consent."
Powell was quoted as responding that, "Over one million Canadians get sick and dozens die every year from the food and water they consume - including products from so-called health-food stores - yet not one has anything to do with genetic engineering."
(posted without permission)
