Proposed changes to the Canada Food Guide could negatively affect the agriculture sector.

Associate Agriculture Critic, and Foothills M.P., John Barlow, says Health Canada is now doing a review of the Canada Food Guide in what they're calling a healthy eating policy.

He says, the new Canada Food Guide is moving in a direction which would basically discourage consumers from eating animal proteins and dairy.

"The doctors that we've spoken to have said, this is wrong, they are going in a direction that is not only based on bad science, but could be counter productive, and could actually be less healthy."

On Monday, Barlow tabled a motion requesting the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food undertake a study of the Canada Food Guide, and hear specifically from agriculture and agri-food stakeholders.

Barlow requested the study along with the other Associate Ag Critic, Luc Berthold, and Member of Parliament for Red Deer-Mountain View, Earl Dreeshen.

Barlow says, the Health Committee has only dedicated two meetings to study the Canada Food Guide.

"In doing those two meetings, they did not invite a single witness from the agriculture sector, agri-food, processing, or any health professionals,medical physicians, dieticians, nutritionists that brought a different perspective to they angle that they are trying to get, so when you are doing an internal document, such as the Food Guide, that will have such a profound impact on the Canadian agriculture sector and agri-food sector."

On Wednesday, when Barlow brought up the issue to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Liberals shot them down.

"I gave a very impassioned pitch on why I think we should be doing this, and the Liberal members blocked debate, and blocked a vote on it. So basically they're saying this is something they don't want to discuss, and our stakeholders in agriculture are extremely disappointed in the approach that the Liberals have taken on this."

In a release, Barlow, Berthold, and Dreeshen, say it is shameful the Liberals are refusing to hear from farmers, ranchers and agri-businesses that will be directly impacted by the new Canada Food Guide.

Barlow says, the Canada Food Guide is still the most downloaded document from the Government of Canada's website.

 

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