OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadians upset that genetically modified wheat might one day find itself on their shelves now have a new way to vent their anger -- mail a slice of bread to Prime Minister Paul Martin.Two groups of activists launched their innovative campaign in bakeries and grocery stores across the country Tuesday as a way to protest against what they say is Ottawa's plan to allow GMO products in Canada.
"We're hoping that a huge pile of bread sitting in his office will finally force Martin to act in accordance with the will of the public on this issue," said Anne-Marie Turmel of Friends of the Earth of Quebec. Canadian regulators are examining the food, feed and environmental safety of a variety of GMO wheat from Monsanto Co. designed to withstand a popular weed killer.
The possibility of government approval alarms the Canadian Wheat Board, which has a monopoly on bread wheat sales from Canada's main growing region. The CWB has said buyers of 87 percent of its wheat last year required guarantees it was not genetically modified.
Laura Sewell of the Council of Canadians -- the other activist group involved -- said the protest follows a similar campaign last October in which Canadians were urged to send slices of bread to members of parliament.
"I don't know how much bread they received but it was enough to be noticed," she said.
