The Dominion - PEI

PEI Considers Banning Genetically Modified Crops

Fri, 04 Feb 2005 20:56:16 +0000

The provincial government of Prince Edward Island has attracted international attention with its plan to hold hearings on a possible ban on the growth of genetically modified (GM) crops. US and Canadian experts and citizens groups opposed to GM foods are directing their energies to setting a precedent on the island province.

Industry groups like the PEI Federation of Agriculture are urging a more cautious approach. "We need to make sure that any decisions that affect farmers are based on truth and science," a spokesperson was quoted as saying. "Right now, GMOs are legal crops in Canada, approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency."

Critics of GM crops also claim the side of truth and science, arguing that new organisms were approved because of corporate political pressure, not because they were proven safe -- a process they say would take years. Other critics say that GM crops are a sophisticated and possibly dangerous means of asserting corporate power insofar as they are used to control the food production process and extract profit with no benefit to Canadians.

Polls have shown that as many as 70 per cent of Canadians want GM foods labeled, but citizens' groups say that the government has been intransigent.

"Ottawa has ignored Canadians' repeated calls for a public debate on GE foods. The federal government has done nothing to address concerns about the potential harmfulness of these products to our health, environment, and economy," says Nadège Adam of the Council of Canadians.

Several municipalities in Canada have passed resolutions banning the cultivation of GM crops. Except in Europe, where distribution without clear labeling is largely banned, banning the sale of GM crops is another matter. An estimated 60 per cent of processed food in North America contains some GM material.

Industry groups have not responded directly to criticism from citizens' groups, instead focusing on economic arguments. "If the PEI government decides it wants to seriously consider a GMO ban, it had better make darn good and sure those markets really do exist for the non-GMO products -- enough to sustain producers who are currently making a living on GMO products," the PEI Federation of Agriculture spokesperson was quoted as saying.

Canadian Press: Hearings spark interest in possible P.E.I. ban on genetically modified crops

» Council of Canadians: PEI to go GE-free?

PEI Carpenters Form Cooperative

Wed, 07 Apr 2004 01:41:58 +0000

Citing low pay and meager benefits offered by private contractors, a Prince Edward Island carpenters' union has started a cooperative that will bid on home construction projects. According to the union, carpenters who work with the new company will receive $5 to $10 more per hour for their work, along with better benefits.

"We spent the last few years trying to meet with residential contractors to work with us, paying living wage, pension health plan - we did not have success," said Martin Kenny, a representative of the PEI Carpenters Union. "That's why we chose to form our own company."

The union says that any profit above what it needs to cover costs and pay workers will be invested in training and educational bursaries for the carpenters' children.

» CBC PEI: PEI carpenters form new company

Pesticide Use Highlighted as PEI Election Nears

Sat, 27 Sep 2003 21:35:08 +0000

by Daron Letts

Things are different on PEI during election time.

For years, members of the PEI environmental organization, Earth Action, have focused public attention on the industrial agriculture policies of the Pat Binns government. Islanders now anticipate annual fish kills in the rivers and streams that wind through the province's massive potato acreage. The province also has the country's highest asthma rate.

Earlier this month, the spraying of Roundup, Monsanto's most popular pesticide, on the province's Confederation Trail came to public attention and Earth Action released a critical statement.

"Glyphosate is a relatively new chemical and we're only just beginning to find out what harm it causes," it read. "It is an extremely persistent chemical and lab studies have found adverse effects in both humans and wildlife."

One of the group's spokespeople, Sharon Labchuck, suggested to the Minister of Transportation and Public Works that vinegar be used instead of pesticide to kill weeds on the province-wide walking trail.

"Researchers are looking at commercial applications of this less-toxic alternative," she wrote.

Within 24 hours, the department replied.

"We've decided to cancel the Roundup as you have suggested," wrote Deputy Minister Steve MacLean. "We'll try the vinegar."

The vote will be held September 29.