Abstract
This chapter provides a non-technical review of the regulations pertaining to GM crops in Canada. It provides a detailed overview of the science-based regulatory framework that exists to regulate biotechnology and hence, genetically modified crops. Canada utilizes a three-pronged regulatory approach that differentiates between agriculture (crops), food and the environment. We discuss the development of the regulatory frameworks pertaining to biotechnology derived crops and also provide a present day review of these frameworks.
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Notes
- 1.
It should be noted that both Health Canada and Environment Canada use non-scientific rDNA processes as regulatory triggers.
- 2.
Health Canada sets policies and standards for food safety. However, if a modified plant will be used as animal feed and has the potential to introduce harm to humans when the animal is consumed as food, it is the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that enforces this aspect of the policies and standards.
- 3.
See www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/bio/subs/subexe.shtm for a detailed list of what this involves.
- 4.
These agencies were all departments within the Department of Agriculture, now the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
- 5.
Membership consisted of: Canadian Seed Growers Association, Canadian Seed Trade Association, Crop Protection Institute, Genetics Society of Canada, Canadian Society of Agronomy, Confederation of Canadian Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Plant Biotechnology Institute, Expert Committee on Weeds, Canadian Society on Botany, Canadian Phytopathological Society and the National Seed Potato Bureau.
- 6.
Environment Canada was sporadically engaged in the regulatory process at this time.
- 7.
Case-by-case is based on the trait that has been inserted and this means the risks may vary and therefore, so does the regulatory focus.
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Smyth, S.J., McHughen, A. (2012). Regulation of Genetically Modified Crops in USA and Canada: Canadian Overview. In: Wozniak, C., McHughen, A. (eds) Regulation of Agricultural Biotechnology: The United States and Canada. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2156-2_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2156-2_2
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