Genetically engineered wheat declared undesirable in Sherbrooke

SHERBROOKE, QUÉBEC – Should it approve the commercialisation application submitted earlier this year to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency by Monsanto Canada to distribute genetically engineered wheat, the federal government would be directly responsible for the nefarious consequences this decision would entail for Quebec farmers, citizens and consumers.

During a press conference held today in Sherbrooke, the Council of Canadians and its Sherbrooke Chapter, the Eastern Townships section of Friends of the Earth as well as the Association coopérative d’économie familiale de l’Estrie condemned the possible introduction of genetically engineered wheat in Quebec fields. According to these groups, the large-scale use of GE wheat will lead to the disappearance by contamination of natural wheat currently grown and the loss of the right of reseeding from the previous harvest. Long-term effects of GE wheat on health are completely unknown, due to the lack of extensive research.

Given that the benefits of GE seeds when compared to the current crops are highly doubtful, a yes to Monsanto Canada can be seen as throwing the dice with potentially disastrous consequences.

“Approving GE wheat would have consequences that are not limited to health safety concerns,” says Nadège Adam, biotechnology campaigner for the 100,000-member Council of Canadians. “A farmer’s traditional right to reuse part of the crop to seed the following year is also in jeopardy, as this practice would infringe the patent. And farmers who think they can go around this problem by switching back to natural seeds are faced with a contamination problem that is impossible to contain.”

Alain Robert, of the Association coopérative d’économie familiale de l’Estrie agrees: “There is absolutely no evidence that genetically engineered crops are more productive or beneficial to farmers. On the other hand, the contamination of the neighbouring fields and the subsequent loss of export markets such as Europe, which rejects GE food, are two crucial disadvantages that can’t be brushed aside.”

André Nault, executive member of the Eastern Townships section of Friends of the Earth, adds: “Survey after survey, Quebeckers massively oppose the insidious infiltration of GE components in their food. They owe this infiltration to the incestuous relationship that now links the federal government to biotech giants such as Monsanto. These anti-democratic practices have to cease immediately!”

Ottawa is expected to render its decision regarding the Monsanto Canada application this fall.

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