Canadian government criticized for profiting from modified wheat

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Conflict of interest?

Canadian government criticized for profiting from modified wheat

 

In another example of the close-knit relationship between North American

governments and the biotech industry, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

reports that the Canadian government has invested nearly $2.5 million in

genetically modified wheat " and stands to make money if it approves the product

for sale. "

 

The CBC reports that Agriculture Canada (the Canadian equivalent of the U.S.

Department of Agriculture) has committed $850,000 specifically to Monsanto to

develop genetically modified wheat, and has assigned three key scientists to

work with Monsanto on the wheat.

 

" If the Canadian Food Inspection Agency approves the grain for sale, Agriculture

Canada will get nearly five per cent of the money, " according to CBC. " The

agency is part of the department but operates at arm's length. "

 

Bradford Duplessis of the Canadian Health Coalition, which opposes genetically

modified foods, says that puts the government in a conflict of interest.

 

" Government regulators cannot be in bed with the industry they regulate, " he

said, adding that having an agency both promoting and regulating modified foods

is a " recipe for disaster. "

 

Murray Fulton, an agricultural economist at the University of Saskatchewan, said

the government's involved because " they feel a new technology is coming along,

it needs to be supported because they believe, down the road, there will be some

benefits to society. "

 

 

 

 

 

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