March 31, 2000 / The Globe and Mail / Heather Scoffield, Parliamentary Bureau / With a report from Paul Knox
Ottawa -- Greenpeace Canada has, according to this story, decided to make Kellogg's its first name-brand target in Canada in its campaign against genetically modified foods.
Tomorrow, Greenpeace will hold demonstrations in front of grocery stores in 35 cities across Canada, hoping to persuade Kellogg Canada Inc. to begin producing its cereal with ingredients that have not been genetically modified. Michael Khoo, campaign leader for Greenpeace in Canada, was cited as saying that protesters will be dressed as some of Kellogg's mascots but the costumes will be slightly "modified."
The protesters will be taking specific aim at the genetically modified ingredients in Frosted Flakes and Special K, Mr. Khoo said.
Both cereals contain corn. And since Canada's grain system does not separate genetically modified corn from traditional corn, both cereals likely contain some of the genetically modified variety.
Kellogg spokeswoman Chris Ervin was quoted as saying from the headquarters of Kellogg Co. in Battle Creek, Mich. that, "We will respond to consumer preferences," North American consumers have faith in the governments' regulatory systems and are confident that the food they eat is safe, she said.
In Toronto, Saskatchewan Premier Roy Romanow said the Greenpeace campaign is a serious threat to Prairie grain farmers who have planted thousands of hectares of genetically modified crops.
His government needs to spread the message that the crops are healthy and beneficial to the environment because they farmers can use fewer pesticides, he told The Globe and Mail's editorial board.
(posted without permission)
