Percy Schmeiser Speaks In Toronto About Food Sovereignty

Percy will also speak at the University of Guelph on May 14. Admission is $5 and includes a FREE copy of The ACTivist magazine. Percy Schmeiser is a Saskatchewan farmer who was sued by Monsanto after his canola crop was contaminated by patented GM canola seed that blew onto his land. He has spent the last few years travelling the world campaigning for farmer's rights. He will be speaking about biotechnology, patent law, and the right of people to save their seed. The biotech industry is currently developing Genetic Use Restriction Technology (GURT) so that they can produce GM seeds which will grow into plants which produce STERILE seeds. These genetically modified traits are being nicknamed terminator or "suicide" seeds. According to the UN/FAO Committee on World Food Security, "[Food sovereignty] goes beyond the concept of food security. It is also the capacity to have control and sovereign decision-making throughout the food chain, from production to consumption. The farmer must maintain control of three basic elements of production: the soil, water and seed. Who controls these elements is in control of food." The Scientific Advisory panel to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has recommended a moratorium on GURT technology until it can be proven safe for the environment and human health. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) challenged this moratorium at a recent meeting in Bangkok in February. Percy spoke at this meeting. "The Canadian government has acted shamefully. It is supporting a dangerous, anti-farmer technology that aims to eliminate the rights of farmers to save and re-use harvested seed. Instead of representing the good will of the Canadian people or attending to the best interests of the Biodiversity Treaty, the Canadian government is fronting for the multinational gene giants who stand to win enormous profits from the release of Terminator seeds around the world." ACT for the Earth is organizing this event to launch a new campaign which aims to raise public awareness about the convergence of nanotechnology and biotechnology and the threats that they pose to biodiversity, environmental safety and human health. This is an opportunity for people to learn more and air concerns about the GM food issue. Tickets are available at the following locations: Toronto Women's Bookstore 73 Harbord Street Grassroots in the Annex 408 Bloor Street West, Toronto The Dufferin Grove Farmer's Market Every Thursday 3:30pm-7:00pm click here for map Organic Planet 1121 Bellamy Road Unit#1 416-431-9099 For more info, to volunteer, or to purchase tickets, contact Chris Davenport or Dylan Penner, 416-880-6245. Organized by ACT for the Earth, publisher of The ACTivist magazine, and sponsored by the Guelph chapter of the Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG), FoodShare, and GENEaction. http://www.activistmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_events&task=view_detail&agid=149

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