The recent swine flu is quickly reaching Pandemic status. It has now spread to 11 countries including Canada and has killed 150 in Mexico. In BC, we now have all the pieces in place for this pandemic to mutate into an even more deadly form.
Overcrowded conditions are what allows a pathogen like swine flu to mutate into dangerous forms. BC's agricultural regulations restrict traditional farming methods in favour of industrial ones, increasing the crowding of our hogs and poultry well beyond the safety limits. These industrial grown hogs and poultry are so genetically uniform that they might as well be clones, and since genetic uniformity makes it even easier for the pathogen, BC now has a lot to worry about. The Fraser Valley has the highest concentration of industrial poultry in all of Canada.
This is one of the reasons I initiated the petition against BC's Meat Inspection Regulations back in 2007. Small farms raising a variety of genetically diverse animals are the safest. Allowing mobile units to slaughter on farm can prevent the spread of disease from farm to farm and protects diversity as well as consumers. This is yet another wake up call that our cheap global food system is putting us at risk. Local food production is a cornerstone of my platform and should become policies in all parties who really care about the safety and security of our food system.
Huguette Allen,
MLA Candidate, Vernon-Monashee
Green Party Critic, Industry & Small Business
Phone: 250.547.0272 cell: 250.309.5973
www.VoteAllen.ca
Overcrowded conditions are what allows a pathogen like swine flu to mutate into dangerous forms. BC's agricultural regulations restrict traditional farming methods in favour of industrial ones, increasing the crowding of our hogs and poultry well beyond the safety limits. These industrial grown hogs and poultry are so genetically uniform that they might as well be clones, and since genetic uniformity makes it even easier for the pathogen, BC now has a lot to worry about. The Fraser Valley has the highest concentration of industrial poultry in all of Canada.
This is one of the reasons I initiated the petition against BC's Meat Inspection Regulations back in 2007. Small farms raising a variety of genetically diverse animals are the safest. Allowing mobile units to slaughter on farm can prevent the spread of disease from farm to farm and protects diversity as well as consumers. This is yet another wake up call that our cheap global food system is putting us at risk. Local food production is a cornerstone of my platform and should become policies in all parties who really care about the safety and security of our food system.
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Huguette Allen,
MLA Candidate, Vernon-Monashee
Green Party Critic, Industry & Small Business
Phone: 250.547.0272 cell: 250.309.5973
www.VoteAllen.ca
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