Chambly, June 6, 2001 - Unibroue President and CEO André Dion is completely baffled by the seemingly incoherent decision by the Canadian Food Inpection Agency to withdraw the ' GMO Free’ certification recently accorded to Unibroue beers. This decision, according to Mr. Dion, is totally unacceptable since the situation remains unchanged. The Chambly brewery continuous to produce beer with the same products (which are GMO free) using the same proven recipes.

Let's review the facts: on June 22, 2000 and on last April 24, the CFIA recognized, by way of certification, that all the beers produced by the Unibroue brewery used exclusively ingredients not containing any Genetically Modified Organisms. This certification was the result efforts by Unibroue put forth for the purpose of exporting its products. It constituted the spearhead of a strategy designed to give Unibroue a significant presence on the European market.

It seems, however, that such a certification, even though it was based on a reliable and recognized scientific process and carried out by a duly authorized public agency, should not be the subject of public advertisement. This raises the following question “Why does the announcement of this certification (according to very terms imposed by the CFIA to the effect that Unibroue beers contain no GMOs) constitute a guarantee in Europe?” When this same guarantee, applying to the same products, is not at all valid here in Canada.

Indeed, the moment Unibroue started mentioning this new characteristic of its beers, it received an interdiction from the CFIA to state the fact publicly. In addition, the CFIA left us no option for discussion, by withdrawing its final certification granted a month earlier and inviting Unibroue to make a "Declaration/Certification statement which is acceptable to all parties involved " In other words, Unibroue has been penalized for informing the public on the nature of the products it uses. This begs the following question: Why can’t a certification -- which public by nature -- be published or presented publicly?

In its application for certification, duly submitted according to the specifications of the CFIA, Unibroue clearly specifies the purpose of the request for certification. In reading the application, it is not possible to miss this main objective. However, the decision taken by the Quebec division of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency clearly states that in its opinion the Law prohibits any mention of such a certification in promoting the products concerned by the certification! So, it appears that Unibroue is penalized for having told its customers the truth! Why is it that what is good for Europe is not good for Canada?

In a letter sent to the brewery (see attached letter of May 28, 2001), the director of this government agency, without any concern to the international repercussions of such a decision, withdraws retroactively the brewery’s accreditation.

In other words, the CFIA granted us a certification that must be kept secret!

According to Andre Dion: “Unibroue’s concern with the nature of the ingredients used in brewing its beers is designed to assure consumers that only pure and healthy products are employed. The CFIA granted us this certification following a rigorous process, which showed that all the products used in the manufacture of our beers are completely free of GMOs. We did not buy or obtain this certification under false representations. We presented to the CFIA the documentary proof of our claims before it agreed to grant us its certification. The agency does not dispute the fact that our beers are without GMOs, it simply rejects the fact we should state it without its consent!”

“For us, this unexplainable reversal of situation is catastrophic and seriously jeopardizes the viability of our European project. Without making any supposition as to the intention behind the decision, I think that we have the right to wonder about the reasons, which led the directors of this government agency to act unilaterally without taking into account the consequences of their gesture. Who are the beneficiaries of such a decision? Whose interests benefit from this spectacular reversal? Certainly not consumers!”

The management of Unibroue does not intend to remain idle in front of such disregard for their rights. We will take all the necessary means to protect consumers and force the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to reactivate the GMO-free certification of beers produced by Unibroue.

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Information:
Pierre Desjardins
Pyramid Public Relations
Tel. off.: (514) 845-2257
cell.: (514) 594-6554