Agriculture Biotechnology Crops Are they safe? Janice Tranberg, VP Western Canada Health Professional Day, RAWF November 7, 2012

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1 Agriculture Biotechnology Crops Are they safe? Janice Tranberg, VP Western Canada Health Professional Day, RAWF November 7, 2012

2 Developers, manufacturers and distributors Representing the developers, manufacturers and distributors of plant science innovations pest control products and plant biotechnology.

3 People, planet, prosperity Plant science technologies contribute to the three pillars of sustainability People Access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food Planet Help to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture Prosperity Higher yields, of better quality, drive economic growth for farmers and in many other sectors

4 Agriculture generated more than $70 billion in economic activity in 2008 and accounted for one in every eight jobs across the country two million jobs total

5 Canadian families save 58% on their weekly grocery bills due to crop protection and plant biotechnology, making buying healthy food more affordable

6 More crop per acre means more room for nature! Without plant science technologies, Canada would need to turn 37 million more acres into farmland to generate the same production it does today

7 Conservation and no-till practices are used on 72% of the field crop land in Canada capturing 12 billion kilograms of CO 2 in 2008 and saving 116 million litres of fuel

8 The Green Revolution increased food production and literally changed the world Improved the health status of 42 million preschoolers in developing countries Saved a billion people worldwide from starvation

9 There are many new farming challenges anticipated Our industry is looking ahead to deliver solutions for: Drought resistance Salinity tolerance New pest pressures

10 Where we re headed Consumer benefits Foods with disease-fighting properties like: Tomatoes rich in lycopene Corn and soybeans with increased Vitamin C and E Foods that stay fresher, longer or which have enhanced flavour: Sweeter peppers and peas Apples, tomatoes, banana and melons with reduced browning and a longer shelf life Remove the allergenic proteins from peanuts, soybeans and milk

11 Are plant biotech products safe? Canada s regulatory regime is world-renowned: Biotechnology products also undergo extensive safety reviews by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada The safety of Canadians is the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada s top priority

12 How is biotechnology regulated? Crop Innovation Pathway Stakeholders Stage of Crop Production Acts & Regulations Regulatory Agencies Industry Stewardship Programs

13 How Crop is biotechnology Innovation regulated? Pathway Public & Private Researchers & Plant Breeders Public & Private Researchers, Plant Breeders, Seed & Field Trial Companies Novel Regulatory Approvals Food Food & Drugs Act HC GENE DISCOVERY PLANT DEVELOPMENT Institutional Biosafety Guidelines Patents Act Plant Breeders Rights Act Seeds Act Feed Feeds Act Health of Animals Act CFIA AFD CIHR Industry Canada CFIA PBRAU CFIA PBO CropLife Canada s Code of Conduct CLC s Management of Confined Field Trials CFIA Notice of Submission Environment Seeds Act CEPA CFIA PBO CFIA PBRAU HC EC

14 Crop Innovation Pathway Food Food & Drugs Act HC Health Canada evaluates data such as: A technical explanation of the genetic process A full description of the nutrient makeup of the food Evidence that no toxins have been introduced Verification that the new GM food does not contain allergens A description of the safety and composition of the unmodified crop as a base Proof that desirable characteristics in the unmodified crop are maintained

15 Crop Innovation Pathway Feed Feeds Act Health of Animals Act CFIA AFD CFIA Animal Feed Division evaluates data such as: A full description of the nutrient makeup of the feed Evidence that no toxins or deleterious proteins have been introduced A description of the safety and composition of the unmodified crop as a base Proof that desirable characteristics in the unmodified crop are maintained

16 Crop Innovation Pathway Environment Seeds Act CEPA CFIA PBO CFIA PBRAU HC EC Five criteria plant biotech products are assessed on the potential to: Become a weed or invade natural habitats Transfer to other plants that may become weedy or invasive Become a plant pest Impact non-target species, including humans Impact biodiversity

17 How Crop is biotechnology Innovation regulated? Pathway Public & Private Plant Breeders & Seed Companies Registered Seed Growers & Seed Companies Producers Grain Companies VARIETY REGISTRATION SEED PRODUCTION, MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION CROP UTILIZATION & DISTRIBUTION Plant Breeders Rights Act Seeds Act CFIA PBR CFIA VRO Pest Control Products Act Canada PMRA Grains Act HC CSGA Canada Grains Commission Can. Transportation Act Can. Shipping Act Transport Can. Can. Transportation Agency & Can. Border Service Agency CLC s Market Analysis Principles CLI s Product Launch Stewardship CLCs BMP Guide for managing HT volunteers CLC s Commercial Status database

18 How is biotechnology regulated? Internationally, the plant science industry reinvests 11% of its total sales into R&D

19 Biotech foods are SAFE! Globally over two trillion meals made with genetically modified ingredients have been consumed in over 15 years by millions of people without one health incident identified.