The significant use of GM corn, soybean, and canola by farmers across Canada provide examples of the numerous markets for the products of genetic technology and the significant benefits to farmers of adopting these new products. These producer benefits, as well as advantages for consumers, will continue to grow as we move forward. Furthermore, the adoption of new technologies will increasingly become a key means by which Canadian grains and oilseed farmers compete on global markets.
The approach used by the Government of Canada in approving plants and foods with ‘novel traits’ is generally considered to be the best in the world, and has been endorsed by groups such as the World Health Organization and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The Canadian regulatory approach recognizes that there is potential health and environmental concerns - which merit thorough evaluation - associated with the introduction of all ‘novel’ crops and other biological organisms used as food.
Plants in Canada are regulated on the basis of the traits expressed and not on the basis of the method used to introduce the traits. Plants with novel traits may be produced by conventional breeding, mutagenesis or recombinant DNA techniques.
Before any new plants with novel traits are registered, licensed or used commercially, regulators must determine:
- The potential effect of the product on human and/or animal health; and
- The potential environmental impact of the product.
The CFIA is the lead agency responsible for regulating plants with novel traits and is responsible for:
- Environmental assessments of agricultural products of biotechnology.
- Inspection and monitoring so that registered products continue to meet quality and safety standards after their approval. This inspection and monitoring includes imported products that are products of biotechnology.
Health Canada is responsible for ensuring that all foods, including those derived from biotechnology, are safe for human consumption prior to their entering into the Canadian food system. All new plant varieties that fit the definition of 'novel' must be reviewed by Health Canada , under the guidelines established by the Novel Foods Regulations established under the Food and Drugs Act.
The GGC is strongly supportive of Canadian regulatory processes for the approval of biotech crops. This process must remain science-driven, with decisions based solely on health and environment risk assessments.
