BLOC CULTIVATES GANG LAWS

SAINT-DAMASE, QUE. -- Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe stood in a corn
field yesterday to highlight the threats Quebec farmers face from bikers who
grow marijuana in their crops.

The terror endured by more and more farm families is further proof the
federal government needs to toughen its anti-gang laws, said Duceppe.

The Bloc has asked for revisions to the Criminal Code that would make it
illegal to be a member of a motorcycle gang, but the Liberal government has
refused.

Current laws have made it difficult for police and prosecutors to crack down
on the gangs, said Duceppe.

"They must give us a law with more teeth," he said.

"Yes, I'm scared," said one farmer. "Personally, I have not received any
threats to date, but many farmers around here have talked to me about
threats they've received."