April 15, 2008

Contents:

1. Threat of Bill C-51 & May 2nd with George Carlo, PhD
2. Take Action for Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods

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Threat of Bill C-51 & May 2nd with George Carlo, PhD

Hello HANS Members & Friends.

We need your help in spreading the word about Bill C-51, a recently introduced Bill that could have serious repercussions on our natural health products industry.

On April 8th, as part of a federal "Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan," the Minister of Health introduced Bill C-51, an Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act.

According to Shawn Buckley, LLB, president of the newly formed Natural Health Products Protection Association (and the speaker at our June 2, 2008 event in Vancouver), "this Act represents the most sweeping changes to the Food and Drugs Act in half a century. It represents a dramatic increase in Health Canada powers. For the first time, companies and their directors will face bankruptcy (personal bankruptcy in the case of directors and officers) when Health Canada attacks them."

Here is the link to information on Bill C-51. Give it a read:

Buckley has prepared a Draft Discussion Paper that we'd be happy to send as an attachment to whoever is interested. Hit Reply and let us know if you want a copy. We also want to hear what our members and consumers have to say, so please let us know your thoughts. The more people who are aware of this Bill, the better. An unchecked Bill C-51 could take power out of consumers hands and put it in those of Health Canada ... to the detriment of the industry in general, and the majority of Canadians who use natural health products.

While regulation of natural health products is an ongoing issue, so is raising awareness about the hazards of wireless technology. We are thrilled that Dr. George Carlo, PhD will be our speaker at "Wireless: Popular, Convenient & Hazardous to your Health" on May 2, 2008.

Dr. George Carlo, PhD, MS, JD, is a public health scientist, epidemiologist, lawyer, author and the founder of the Science and Public Policy Institute. He headed up a six-year $28.5 million research program funded by the cell phone industry in the 1990s, and has since become a whistleblower about the dangerous effects of modern technologies.

May 2, 2008 will be a must-see event as Dr. Carlo presents new information and initiatives. Tickets are available online and by calling us at 604-435-0512. Advance ticket price: $20. At the door: $25. $5 discount for HANS members. DVDs of the event will eventually be available for purchase for people who can't attend or live out of town.

Hope to see you there,

Lorna Hancock
Executive Director & Founding Member of HANS

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Take Action for Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods

by CBAN Press Release

A Private Members Bill to label genetically engineered foods (C-517) was called for debate on April 3 2008 and will come up for a second hour of debate in April before a vote in the House of Commons. How will your Member of Parliament vote?

Write or telephone your MP - you can find out who your MP is by using your postal code at www.parl.gc.ca

Here is a sample request : "I am writing/calling to ask you to vote positively for Private Members Bill (C-517) from Gilles-A. Perron of Bloc Quebecois when it comes back to the House for debate. C-517 would give me and other Canadians the right to choose in the grocery store by establishing mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods. I look forward to hearing from you about your support for this Bill."

Let us know what you MP says! email info@cban.ca

There is no labeling of genetically engineered foods in Canada, despite 10 years of polling that show over 80 percent of Canadians want these labels. Instead, a national standard for voluntary labeling has been established - but as this is voluntary, no company has labeled their products as containing GE ingredients. 40 countries around the world have labeling laws including Europe, China and Russia.

On April 3, 2008, the Private Members Bill C-517 which would establish mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods in Canada was debated in the House of Commons. The Bill was introduced by Member of Parliament Gilles-Andre Perron for Riviere des Mille Iles, Bloc Quebecois.

http://www.cban.ca/Resources/Topics/Labeling

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