The Honourable Gerry Ritz, PC, MP Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board 1341 Baseline Road Ottawa, ON K1A 0C5 http://www.gerryritzmp.com/contact.php Ms. Carole Swan, President Canadian Food Inspection Agency 1400 Merivale Road Ottawa, ON K1A 0Y9 Email: [email protected] Mr. Wayne Easter, LIB, MP Agriculture Critic 318 Justice Building House of Commons Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 Email: [email protected] January 12, 2010 Re: Request to Revise Product Labelling Requirements under the Canadian Fertilizers Act We, the undersigned, strongly urge the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to revise the Canadian Fertilizers Act. The Act should require fertilizer and soil amendment manufacturers to list ALL components of their products on the product label. Current regulations only require manufacturers to list active ingredients. Unlisted ingredients can impact air, water, and soil quality in unintended and potentially harmful ways. Current regulations allow manufacturers to use fertilizers and soil amendments as vehicles for the disposal of industrial waste. Furthermore, many substances used in the production of commercial fertilizers (such as formulants, carriers, additives, and potential contaminants) can have negative secondary impacts. Synthetic soil fertilizers can contribute to air and water pollution, the depletion of other soil minerals, the build-up of heavy metal residues, and the reduction or elimination of beneficial insect populations. Even many plant-derived ingredients can produce undesired effects, and therefore ought to be listed on product labels. The health and nutritional vitality of soils, water tables, and plants, as well as the security of our food system, depend on a delicate balance of minerals, organisms, and microbial, fungal, and insect populations that are wiped out or severely compromised by the overuse and misuse of commercial fertilizers and soil amendments. There is growing consumer awareness of the need for local and organic food production and land care. Consumers are increasingly demanding to be informed about ALL of the ingredients in the products that can impact their health and the environment. We, the undersigned, petition the Government of Canada to change regulations on fertilizers and soil amendments to require manufacturers to list ALL the ingredients in their products, and to set a one-year time frame for manufacturers to comply. Sincerely, [The Undersigned]