| American biotech giant Monsanto’s decision to back down on introducing genetically modified wheat into Canada is a victory for consumers worldwide, says Nadege Adam, a campaigner with the Council of Canadians.
"For them to back off is seriously significant. We gave up on thinking we had any leverage over the company so this is a tremendous victory," says Adam. "Monsanto has tried to ignore consumer rights and it has proven costly because they now have to back off on their lucrative project."
However, Monsanto says the company’s decision was based on lack of support from wheat producers, not consumers or activists.
"The actions of anti-biotech groups don’t have any impact on our decisions," says Monsanto spokesperson Trish Jordan. "We don’t make decisions based on what activists do."
Monsanto first applied to the federal government for approval to grow genetically modified wheat, called Roundup Ready, in Canada in 2001. Since then there has been widespread opposition to its introduction from a variety of groups, including the Canadian Wheat Board, the National Farmer’s Union, the Council of Canadians, and Green Peace.
The opposition to genetically modified wheat stems from concerns over its health and environmental impacts, but also its potential to close lucrative export markets. The European Union and Japan have refused to buy other Canadian agricultural products after genetically modified versions were introduced into the market, and many farmers feared the same would happen with genetically modified wheat.
After three years of facing intense criticism, Monsanto announced recently that it will "discontinue" breeding and field level research of Roundup Ready Wheat and will instead focus on creating more genetically modified traits in corn, cotton and oilseeds.
Jordan says the company still has not withdrawn its application to the federal government for approval of Roundup Ready Wheat and adds the company will be meeting with the federal government next week to discuss the issue. She says Monsanto may consider reinvesting in genetically modified wheat if there is enough interest in the future.
Despite the short-term victory, Adam says the battle against genetically modified crops is just beginning in Canada. The Council of Canadians is calling on the government to announce a moratorium on approval of any new genetically modified food and to introduce mandatory labeling of genetically modified products. Adam says both steps are necessary because the federal government hasn’t studied the long-term effects on human health and the environment.
"You can’t just assume there are no long term repercussions," says Adam. "The risks are too high. You can’t set them aside for a biotech company’s profits."
Meanwhile Health Canada spokesperson Margot Geduld says the regulatory process for genetically modified crops and food is very rigorous.
"Certainly we’re confident in our novel food regulations and the process to ensure all novel or new foods permitted in the market are safe for Canadians," says Geduld.
Health Canada has not conducted any long-term studies on genetically modified foods because, according to a statement on its website, "Given that the application of genetically modification does not introduce unique risks, the potential for long term effects of these foods are no different than that for conventional foods which have been safely part of the Canadian diet for a long time."
Genetically modified crops and food are already well established in Canada. The federal government has approved the growth of genetically modified corn, canola, rice, soybeans, flax, cottonseed and potato crops and Health Canada has approved various genetically modified foods. |
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