News

In an unprecedented step, the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), at their Annual General Meeting in Vancouver on September 19, passed a resolution “that UBCM ask the British Columbia government to legislate the prohibition of importing, exporting and growing plants and seeds containing genetically engineered DNA, and raising GE animals within BC, and to declare, through legislation, that BC is a GE Free area in respect to all plant and animal species." 

Already 14 municipalities in BC have declared themselves GE Free Zones, and 10 Official Community Plans of Regional Districts have come out against GE crops, as communities across the province mobilized for a ban on GE crops. From the Sunshine Coast, Powell River and Roberts Creek have declared GE Free Zones.

 

“We’re overjoyed with our success,” said Teresa Lynne of the Society for a GE Free BC, a volunteer non-profit group, “We’re so grateful to all the councilors who heard our concerns and took this amazing step on our behalf. The provincial government needs to legislate this ban and then ask the federal government to do the same. We all want to protect our families, environment and food system from the risks of genetically engineered crops and foods.”

 

“This is an unprecedented victory for grassroots communities,” said Lucy Sharratt of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, “Finally we see a level of government in Canada debate this issue and respond to peoples’ concerns.”

 

Supporters of the UBCM motion gathered almost 7000 signatures on online and hardcopy petitions, and rallied yesterday morning outside the UBCM meeting location.

 

 

 

Powell River (2004)

Salt Spring Island (2004)

Denman Island (2004)

Nelson (Nov 3, 2008)

Kaslo (Jan 13, 2009)

New Denver (Sept 8, 2009)

Rossland (May 11, 2009)

Richmond (May 29, 2012)

Saanich (Nov 2012)

Metchosin (Nov 2012)

Cherryville (March 8, 2013)

Telkwa (March 11, 2013)

City of North Vancouver (June 10, 2013)

Roberts Creek