Canadian Farmer Activist in Toronto talk about Supreme Court case against Monsanto
Percy Schmeiser Speaks in Toronto about Biotechnology and Farmer's Rights
Come out and listen to Percy as he speaks about his Supreme Court case with Monsanto, Seed Saving Rights, and Terminator Seed Technology:
Friday, May 13, 2005
doors open 6:30pm
Forum starts 7:00pm
Bloor Street United Church
300 Bloor Street West,
Toronto just east of Spadina at Huron
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 genetically modified (GM) canola seed that blew onto his land. He has spent the last few years traveling 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.
For more info, to volunteer, or to purchase tickets, contact info@activistmagazine.com
416-880-6245
ACT for the Earth
