March 15, 2010

Contents:

1. Stop GE Alfalfa and Wheat
2. Stop the HST
3. Canadian Net-pen Farmed Salmon is Unsustainable

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Stop GE Alfalfa and Wheat

by Canadian Biotechnology Action Network

Take action before March 17, 2010 to support Bill C-474 and support Canada's farmers.

You can help to stop genetically engineered (GE) seeds from causing chaos in Canadian farming. Bill C-474 would require "an analysis of potential harm to export markets be conducted before the sale of any new genetically engineered seed is permitted." The Bill could stop GE alfalfa and GE wheat.

Private Members Bill C-474 is currently scheduled for debate in Parliament March 17. This Bill is critically important because, as we know from experience, the introduction of new genetically engineered (GE) crops can cause economic hardship to farmers.

Farmers are at risk when GE crops are commercialized in Canada without also being approved in our major export markets. Flax farmers in Canada are now paying a heavy price because of this exact problem. Late last year, Canadian flax exports were discovered contaminated with a GE flax that is not approved in Europe or in any of our other export markets (except the U.S.). Flax farmers actually foresaw that GE contamination or even the threat of contamination would close their export markets. That's why they took steps in 2001 to remove GE flax from the market. Despite this measure, flax farmers were not protected.

The GE flax contamination closed our export markets in 2009. It has created market uncertainty and depressed prices. Farmers are also paying for testing and cleanup and may be required to abandon their own farm-saved flax seed and buy certified seed instead. These costs are an unnecessary and preventable burden.

We cannot allow GE seeds to harm our export markets. Please support Bill C-474 and protect Canada's farmers.

Write a letter to your MP instantly from http://www.cban.ca/474action, before March 17, 2010.

For more information go to:http://www.cban.ca/474 or contact Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator, Canadian Biotechnology Action Network coordinator@cban.ca 613 241 2267 ext. 6

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Stop the HST

by HANS staff

The Liberal Government in British Columbia is planning to implement a new tax July 1, 2010. The new tax is called Harmonized Sales Tax, or HST for short, and is the combination of Provincial Sales Tax (PST) of seven percent, and Government Sales Tax (GST) of five percent. The result is one new tax: HST of 12 percent.

Experts say the HST disproportionately impacts lower income earners because far more of their limited income will be spent paying the now extra seven percent tax than higher income earners. How will this affect the average British Columbian?

When it comes to natural health products and healing services we will be paying more. Isn't it enough that we already pay for disease prevention and natural healing out of our own pockets, while we subsidize a disease-care system with our tax dollars?

Take action to stop HST. Write to your Member of Legislative Assembly and voice your concerns. If you are unsure of who your MLA is, go to: http://www.leg.bc.ca/Mla/3-1-1.htm

For a sample letter to send, go to: http://www.saynotohstinbc.ca/what-can-i-do/contact-y.../

To sign one or all of the many petitions to stop the BC Liberal HST go to: http://www.saynotohstinbc.ca/what-can-i-do/petitions.../

To find out more about HST in BC: http://www.saynotohstinbc.ca/

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Canadian Net-pen Farmed Salmon is Unsustainable

by Living Oceans Society/Coastal Alliance for Aquaculture Reform

In Canada, net-pen salmon farming has become synonymous with sea lice infestations that  can kill vulnerable wild salmon and the degradation of coastal ecosystems. These destructive impacts are reported on a regular basis in the media and scientific journals continue to publish new research on the issue.

Canadian net-pen farmed salmon is not compatible with consumer interest in environmentally  responsible products and the increasing demand for sustainable seafood.  "As marketplace demand for sustainability grows, leaders in the food service and retail sectors are  recognizing that products associated with severe environmental impacts are a risk--to the environment and business," states Shauna MacKinnon, Markets Campaign Coordinator for Living Oceans Society, a member of the Coastal Alliance for Aquaculture Reform.   

A new report released by seven conservation groups from across Canada, Canadian Net-Pen Aquaculture: Fundamentally Unsustainable, details how Canadian management agencies are dismissing scientific  research and allowing the net-pen salmon farming industry to continue to release waste, disease, sea lice, and chemicals into the marine ecosystem to the detriment of wild fish and ocean health.   

The Canadian government has invested significant funds to promote the salmon farming industry. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (known as DFO) is mandated by the Canadian constitution to ensure healthy aquatic ecosystems and to conserve and protect wild fish and fish habitat. DFO has been given a  second, political mandate to promote aquaculture. "These two mandates are in fundamental conflict and this is resulting in the failure to protect wild aquatic resources from aquaculture impacts," states Inka Milewski, Science Advisor at the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. 

A better model for salmon aquaculture already exists. Closed containment systems, whether sited on land or water, can effectively address the primary environmental impacts of net-pens. When coupled with  advances that reduce the dependence on wild-caught fish in aquaculture feeds, a truly sustainable model for aquaculture can be achieved.   

Until government and industry change their focus in salmon aquaculture towards the full implementation of closed containment technology Canada's claims to a sustainable farmed salmon product will ring hollow. 

Access the report Canadian Net-Pen Aquaculture: Fundamentally Unsustainable at: http://farmedanddangerous.org/uploads/File/Reports/n...

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