The Rural Voice, 1989-11, Page 9FEEDBACK
what environmental groups have to
say.
Flying in the face of these sober-
ing criticisms, and with the arrogance
of your government, comes Bill C-15,
innocuously referred to as plant breed-
ers rights' (PBR) but condemned by
environmental groups as "a Bill
(which) seeks to promote an agricul-
tural system that is environmentally
damaging ... "
In a brief, the Toronto-based
Canadian Environmental Law Asso-
ciation (CELA) submits that "should
Bill C-15 be passed we will see an in-
crease in pesticide use both in Canada
and internationally with a commensu-
rate rise in health and environmental
problems."
CELA sites genetic erosion,
monoculturalism, and limits to organic
agriculture. CELA concludes: "Bill
C-15 will be making a significant and
unnecessary contribution to the global
environmental crisis."
CELA is joined by Canadian
interest groups — farm organizations,
the churches, environmentalists, and
international development organiza-
tions. Each has its own concerns.
Bill C-15 is the first time Canada
will allow the patenting of life forms,
it places control over the food system
firmly in the hands of multinational
agribusiness, it widens the gap be-
tween Third World and industrialized
countries. The concerns are widely
based and run deep to the roots of
economic and ecologic injustice.
GROW members urge you as
Canada's Minister of Agriculture to
postpone further action on this envir-
onmentally disastrous legislation. The
Canadian people, who will ultimately
bear the brunt of its negative impacts,
must be consulted first.
These organizations, as members
of the Genetic Resources for Our
World (GROW) coalition, urge you
to:
(1) produce a White Paper on Bill
C-15;
(2) establish cross-country hearings
accessible to Canadians; and
(3) call expert international wit-
nesses to testify.
Fulfil your mandate to the Cana-
dian people: inform them of the Bill
(cont'd)
VARNA GRAIN
We are ready to receive your
1989 Soybeans and Corn Crops
• 2 Receiving Pits • All Harvest Services Available
Contact: VARNA GRAIN
Pete Rowntree at 233-7908
or HILL & HILL FARMS 233-3218
Hill AND Hill
FARMS
LLmrrED
VARNA ONT.
Ready to
receive your
1989 Soybeans
& Corn Crops
All harvest
services are
available.
MO AT. BAKE
CORN • SOYABEANS.
9 FIRST LINE SEEDS 1
233-3346 VARNA, ONT. 233-3218
NOVEMBER 1989 7