YOUR Health & Genetically Modified Foods

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Thursday, November 14th, 2013
7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

Do you want to live a healthy life? Are you concerned about your food ?
Come learn how current farming practices, genetically engineered foods and the use of herbicides may be affecting your health and our planet.

Panelists

Thierry Vrain

Dr. Thierry Vrain was a soil biologist and a genetic engineer with Agriculture Canada for 30 years. He was the Head of the Biotechnology Department at the Summerland Research Centre, managing the research programs of 40 professional and technical employees and providing leadership for scientific committees and organizations to evaluate research proposals, educate and advise on scientific issues. He provided scientific journals with reviews and editorial evaluations of scientific manuscripts, and technical expertise to governments to evaluate diagnostics and exclusion policies, and to Universities in Canada and abroad to educate students and staff, and supervise research projects. Thierry retired in 2002 and created a little herbal farm on Vancouver Island where he teaches soil health. He has slipped into the persona of �a scientist turned activist� and he lectures about GMOs.

Jan SlompJan Slomp and partner Marian own and operate a dairy farm since 1979, the first ten years in the Netherlands and since 1989 in central Alberta. Jan milked his first cow in 1962 and has seen dairy farming change, from before 1960 without any fossil fuel, through the green revolution, into a highly intensive and productive sector. He altered his objectives in the nineties, from ever increasing productivity into a more holistic and sustainable farming approach. The number one guide in pursuing his goals is soil and animal health. Jan is board member of the National Farmers Union and in that capacity was active in order to get a ban on the use of Bovine Growth Hormone in Canada. He is compelled to warn fellow farmers for the lack of a precautionary approach in the regulatory regime for agriculture in North America. Jan is delegate for Alberta Milk. Jan and Marian�s farm, was one of the three contestants for the 2013 Dairy Farmers of Canada Sustainability Award.

colin-palmerColin Palmer is the Chair of Powell River Regional District and was instrumental in establishing the First GE Free Crop Zone in Canada in 2004. Colin has resided in Powell River for 46 years. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree (English, history and geography) from the University of British Columbia in 1960. Colin has served as a Councillor and Mayor of the City of Powell River. He is at present the Director for Area C and Chair of the Regional Board. Among other community positions he has held, he has been President of the Chamber of Commerce, Chair of Community Futures Development Corporation and a member of the Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee and the Provincial Environmental Appeal Board. After a 12-year teaching career, Colin has operated a printing business in Powell River since 1976.