(Vancouver) – Gordon Campbell is a biohazard to British Columbia for his continual refusal to label genetically engineered products, says Greenpeace, which organized the province’s first annual GE Free Day on 11 March 2008.

Greenpeace volunteers, dressed in contamination suits and masks, “quarantined” the premier’s office this morning with yellow hazard tape while holding signs that read “What’s in Your Food? Demand the Right to Know!”

According to Greenpeace, more than 70 per cent of all products on grocery store shelves in B.C. today are tainted by genetic engineering, yet the provincial government, under the direction of Premier Campbell, has yet to take action. Greenpeace is demanding mandatory labelling of all GE products and is advocating for citizens who have so far been denied their right to this information.

“British Columbians have waited seven years for Gordon Campbell to label genetically engineered foods, which even his own Provincial Health Officer has warned could pose serious risks to the environment and human health,” said Josh Brandon, agriculture campaigner with Greenpeace. “Campbell’s lack of policy direction is becoming a biohazard to the people of BC.”

Mandatory labelling of GE products is already enforced in 40 other countries such as China, Germany, France, Russia and the UK, but Canada has yet to follow suit. Greenpeace created GE Free Day to raise public awareness and will continue to hold the provincial government to task until they commit to mandatory labelling.

More photos available at the Greenpeace blog.

For more details, please contact:

Josh Brandon, Agriculture Campaigner at 604-721-7493
Jessica Wilson, Media/PR Officer at 778-228-5404