Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz hailed the defeat of the bill because GMO provides an innovative technology that allows Canadian farmers to be competitive in the world market. Canadian MPs voted Wednesday evening to reject stronger export rules for crops of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Legislators crossed party lines and cast 178 votes in favor of quashing the bill; 98 MPs were in favor of more stringent export regulations for GMO crops.
With the Parliament’s decision, exports of genetically modified crops by Canadian farmers would continue to be approved based on safety for human consumption and environmental release. The MPs voted to exclude as criteria potential harm to export markets and economic harm to farmers if buyers are not in favor of genetically engineered harvest.
