The Green Party of Canada released today its Vision Green. The policy document lays out the plan for the kind of Canada we want in 2020 and how we get to that point. It is a breath of fresh air and provides visionary leadership, not for the next four year, but for the next forty years. Here are some of the solutions addressing the various issues it covers:
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Dans ce vidéo, Bonnie Bucqueroux fait un interview avec Dr. John Biernbaum qui explique les options que nous avons pour manger plus en santé et réduire notre impact sur la planète

The alternative to the longstanding American food policy of “cheap and lots” is to eat locally, eat seasonally and eat organic. Filmmaker Bonnie Bucqueroux and her dog Schmoopsie look at the sustainable agriculture movement, including a visit to Michigan State University’s Student Organic Farm, where Dr. John Biernbaum discusses the options people have to grow their own food or to buy from local growers.

Chatham, Ont. – Dec. 6, 2006 – The Green Party of Ontario (GPO) applauds and supports the stand taken by Durham dairy farmer Michael Schmidt and others to defend the option for thousands of Ontarians to consume non-pasteurized milk products.

“We live in a highly educated, responsible society. People should have the right to choose the foods and food processes they think are best for them,” said GPO Agriculture and Food Issue
Advocate Ken Bell. “The Green Party will be there to ensure public safety within a framework of informed choices.”

Pasteurization is a relatively modern practice made necessary by agri-business where animals are often forced to live in crowded, unsanitary conditions. Also, milk is sterilized to lengthen shelf-life to allow for transportation to distant urban markets. The reduced capacity to ensure cleanliness in large-scale dairy operations has made it appear that pasteurization is universally necessary, regardless of reduced nutrition and taste.

However, naturally raised cows kept in clean conditions will produce safe milk. With modern knowledge of animal health and with high standards of sanitation, testing and refrigeration, safe raw milk can be ensured.

Ontario residents should have the right to choose the kind of milk products they purchase. To criminalize the distribution and sale of raw milk will serve only to create an unsafe black market. Almost half of the American states and most countries in Europe have implemented a regulatory environment for the safe distribution and sale of raw milk. The Ontario government should allow and regulate this practice here.

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For interviews and more information, please contact:

Tim Rudkins, Communications Coordinator
647-221-9706
tim.rudkins@sympatico.ca

Ken Bell, Agriculture and Food Issue Advocate
519-676-9903
kbell@ciaccess.com

Green Party of Ontario
Phone: 416-977-7476, 1-888-647-3366
Email: gpoadmin@magma.ca
Website: www.gpo.ca