Update & Call for Actions re: GMO Garden Seeds from the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network
The Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) would like to thank Seeds of Diversity and many Seedy Saturday/Sunday events across the country for taking action to stop new genetically engineered (genetically modified or GM) garden seeds in Canada.
As more biotechnology companies seek to bring other GM fruits, vegetables, and garden seeds to Canada, it will be crucial to continue taking action to protect seed sovereignty and to keep GM seeds out of our seed supply and seed exchange events.
As you plan for Seedy events in 2027, CBAN is asking that Seeds of Diversity supporters and Seedy event organizers take a few steps to help keep our seed supply and Seedy events non-GMO. Read more to get an update on what’s happening and how you can help protect our seeds.
If you are a Seedy event organizer:
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Please ask all your 2027 seed vendors to sign the updated Safe Seed Pledge. The Safe Seed Pledge is a public commitment that companies can make to state that they will only be selling non-GMO seeds. Contact Fionna at outreach@cban.ca if you have any questions.
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Please monitor your seed exchange tables. This may mean having a volunteer on hand who can explicitly ask seed-swappers if any of their seeds come from the GM purple tomatoes from the company Norfolk Healthy Produce (so far this is the only GM garden seed on the market in Canada). Click here to learn more about the GM tomato and its variety name.
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Organizers can also put up signs around the seed exchange table that say “Non-GMO Seeds Only.”
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Consider how to include CBAN materials at your event. Seeds of Diversity usually mails a small bundle of our latest pamphlets to each event, but you can order larger bundles or posters to feature on your seed exchange table or at other booths by emailing Fionna at outreach@cban.ca
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Consider showing CBAN’s six-minute film on the issue at your event.
If you are a Seeds of Diversity supporter:
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Help spread the word to Stop GM Garden Seeds in Canada. Visit CBAN’s “Protect Our Seeds” campaign webpage, and share our resources www.cban.ca/SeedsAction
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Write a letter to your garden centre this spring/summer or ask to speak to the manager. Ask your garden centre to commit to selling only non-GMO seeds and seedlings (most of the companies selling seeds in garden centers are already non-GMO, but this could start to change). Ask them never to sell the GM purple tomato seedlings (called “Empress Tomato”) or any products from the biotechnology company Norfolk Healthy Produce. (The wholesale greenhouse supplier Raker Roberta’s is supplying the GM seedlings to garden centres on behalf of Norfolk Healthy Produce).
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Ask your favourite seed companies to sign the updated Safe Seed Pledge
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Continue to demand no GM fruits and vegetables. Take action here
The local seed networks and seed saving communities that continue to grow each year in Canada are something to celebrate and protect.
CBAN would like to sincerely thank the thousands of you who gather each year to celebrate local seeds, biodiversity, and gardening across Canada. You are a true force for hope as organizations like CBAN continue to put pressure on biotechnology companies and the Canadian government for mandatory transparency and regulation of patented, genetically engineered foods and seeds.
If we continue working together, we will send a clear message to corporations and the government: People in Canada do not want new genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their backyards, or community gardens.
Together, we can stop GMO garden seeds!
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