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BIOTECHNOLOGY REGULATORY PROJECT LAUNCHED

OTTAWA, October 21, 2003 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada are conducting a pilot project to post information on the Internet about the safety assessments of biotechnology-derived crops, livestock feeds, and foods.

This is the first time in Canada that the public will be notified of new product submissions under review by government. As well, it is the first time that the public will have access to a listing of the scientific studies conducted on new products regarding safety.

This is a voluntary project. Member companies of CropLife Canada have volunteered to provide the information for Canadians in the form of a “notice of submission”, which will be posted on the CFIA Web site. The project gives the public an opportunity to offer input through the CFIA Web site on scientific matters relevant to the safety assessment of each submission at the time the product is under evaluation.

With the launch of this pilot project, the federal government is responding with a credible mechanism to address public interest in a more transparent process of regulating agricultural biotechnology products. This is another opportunity for the public to see into the regulatory process and how it works, and to offer comments on the scientific process of safety evaluation.

The CFIA and Health Canada recognize the value of increasing the disclosure of information and are exploring ways to help all developers of new plants with novel traits (PNTs), and feeds and foods derived from PNTs, to participate in this project. Currently the CFIA and Health Canada post lists of all approved plants with novel traits, novel feeds and foods derived through biotechnology on their respective Web sites (www.inspection.gc.ca and www.hc-sc.gc.ca), along with their accompanying decision documents and regulatory directives.

The pilot project supports the commitment towards greater openness regarding product information made by the Government of Canada in response to the recommendations of the Royal Society of Canada's Expert Panel report titled Elements of Precaution: Recommendations for the Regulation of Food Biotechnology in Canada.

The goal of the pilot project-to increase transparency in the regulation of novel crops, feed, and foods—is also consistent with advice given to government by the Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee (CBAC) in their report on the regulation of food biotechnology, which the government is in the process of responding to.

For more information (Government):

Office of Biotechnology, Canadian Food Inspection Agency: (613) 225-2342, ext. 4186
Food Directorate, Health Canada: (613) 957-1588

For more information (Industry):

Denise Dewar, CropLife Canada: (416) 622-9771