Quebec's largest farmers union wants mandatory GM labels (27/4/2004)

Canada has just introduced voluntary labelling for GM foods. But the labelling rules are so loose that a non-GM label can be put on any food with up to 5% GM ingredients in it!

However, Quebec's largest farmers union wants to see mandatory labelling and is asking farmers to voluntarily label any GM produce because that's what their customers would like. In addition, the union's president says because customers are shying away from GMOs, the province's farmers should be careful what they grow. If farmers choose GMOs, he says the union cannot protect them from a consumer backlash.
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Farmers' union wants produce labelling
http://montreal.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=qc_farmers20040427
Web Posted | Apr 27 2004 08:18 AM EDT

QUEBEC CITY - Quebec's largest farmers union wants to see mandatory labelling of genetically modified organisms and is asking farmers to voluntarily label produce because customers want to know what they are buying.

The Union des Producteurs Agricoles (UPA) said there is no political will to force farmers to label modified produce.

UPA president Laurent Pellerin said the federal government has shown no interest in making produce labelling mandatory, but that could change if enough farmers volunteer.

Modified corn, soya, and canola are the major genetically modified crops in Quebec.

Pellerin said that customers are shying away from modified goods, so the province's farmers should be careful what they put in their fields.

If farmers choose to grow genetically modified organisms, he said the union can't protect them from a consumer backlash.
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