Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief was quoted as saying in a statement that, "The Government of Canada believes in the right of consumers to have access to information as it relates to biotechnology and food. ... Consistent codes of practices for voluntary labeling of foods derived from biotechnology will give consumers information to make choices."

The story says that environmental and consumer groups in Canada, following the lead of similar organizations in Europe, have started demanding that foods made with genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) be labeled.

The CCGD represents 80 percent of major food retailers in Canada, a major world agricultural producer.

The CGSB is an accredited standards development organization within the federal government.

The story adds that the Canadian government has refused to enforce mandatory labeling of GM foods, following a policy favoured in the United States.

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