http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/March2004/18/c1719.html


Attention News/Food/Agricultural/Assignment Editors:

MEDIA ADVISORY - 1 million Japanese say no to GE wheat!

    OTTAWA, March 18 /CNW/ -

    What:   Representatives from Japanese consumer and industry groups and
            the Council of Canadians will hold a press conference to declare
            that Japanese consumers will not buy wheat from Canada if we
            allow the introduction of GE wheat.

            Japan is one of Canada's largest wheat customers. The Japanese
            groups will announce their intention to present a petition from
            Japanese consumers and food manufacturing companies representing
            over 1,000,000 people, to Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister,
            Bob Speller. The petition calls for a ban on GE wheat in Canada.

            The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is currently reviewing an
            application from Monsanto for the Canadian release of their
            Roundup Ready wheat.

            Canadian consumers, farmers, and food industry representatives
            have expressed grave concerns over the potential impact of a
            government approval of the controversial GE wheat.

            Now foreign customers are joining the increasingly large group
            of dissenters, calling on Canada to deny Monsanto's application.

    Who:    Speakers:
            Nadège Adam, Council of Canadians
            Keisuke Amagasa, No! GMO campaign
            Tony Boys, Wako University

            Present/Available for comment:
            Masako  Koga, Consumers Union of Japan
            Takafumi Maekawa, Daichi-Wo-Mamoru-Kai
            Ryoko Shimizu, Seikatsu Club Consumer Co-operative Union
            Etsuko Kondo, Seikatsu Club

    When:   Monday, March 22, 2004
            10:00AM

    Where:  Place Louis Riel Hotel
            190 Smith Street
            Hudson Room
            Winnipeg, Manitoba

For further information: Laura Sewell, Media Officer, (613)233-2773
x234, cell (613)795-8685, lsewell@canadians.org, www.canadians.org