Folks: this is a tough situation - can you help? The writer is in Canada, so
those knowledgeable about the Canadian situation would be more helpful, but
general comments from anywhere would be appreciated. What, if anything, can she
do? Where can she turn for help? Thanks. Ann
Linda Edwards wrote:
> Our local Ag Canada Research Station is about to begin field trials of
> genetically engineered apples - ones which will have fruit that won't brown
> when cut. Because of open pollination the ultimate outcome of this could be
> the end of a thriving organic tree fruit industry. The Stations response to
> our concerns so far has been to send us a document entitled "Regulation for
> Biotechnology" that says that organic growers should increase their buffer
> zones to avoid contamination by polliantion.
> We are doing every reasonable thing we can to try and stop this including
> trying to get our provincial government to veto the trials. Apparently they
> could do this for at least anything off the Station. Our current
> Agriculture Minister is sympathetic-we are the only tree fruit growers that
> are not constantly pestering him for help. He has asked for information to
> show that organic growers have actually suffered economic loss, lost their
> certification etc. in other places where GE crops have been introduced. We
> have anecdotal stuff - for example my cousin in Saskachewan - an organic
> grain and oilseed grower can no longer grow canola. I have heard that the
> conventional canola growers lost millions of dollars of lucrative European
> sales as well. However, these are just stories and we need FACTS ! Do you
> have such or can you direct us to where we might find it ?
> Also we have a meeting coming up in a couple of weeks with people from the
> Station and the company working with them. They are coming out to tell us
> that we have nothing to worry about. We know they are worried about losing
> their investment and all in this research. These are people we see on the
> local ski hill, in the supermarkets and at school functions. We do not wish
> them ill but it is absolutely necessary they stop doing what they are doing.
> The question is , is there any kind of research that could be done in
> genetics that could be used to increase accuracy and speed in conventional
> plant breeding ? What can be salvaged from this whole new field of endevour
> which would be less risky etc.
> Thanks again for your web site. We pass the address on daily ! Linda
> Edwards, Organic Producers Association of Cawston-Keremeos
attached mail follows:
Our local Ag Canada Research Station is about to begin field trials of
genetically engineered apples - ones which will have fruit that won't brown
when cut. Because of open pollination the ultimate outcome of this could be
the end of a thriving organic tree fruit industry. The Stations response to
our concerns so far has been to send us a document entitled "Regulation for
Biotechnology" that says that organic growers should increase their buffer
zones to avoid contamination by polliantion.
We are doing every reasonable thing we can to try and stop this including
trying to get our provincial government to veto the trials. Apparently they
could do this for at least anything off the Station. Our current
Agriculture Minister is sympathetic-we are the only tree fruit growers that
are not constantly pestering him for help. He has asked for information to
show that organic growers have actually suffered economic loss, lost their
certification etc. in other places where GE crops have been introduced. We
have anecdotal stuff - for example my cousin in Saskachewan - an organic
grain and oilseed grower can no longer grow canola. I have heard that the
conventional canola growers lost millions of dollars of lucrative European
sales as well. However, these are just stories and we need FACTS ! Do you
have such or can you direct us to where we might find it ?
Also we have a meeting coming up in a couple of weeks with people from the
Station and the company working with them. They are coming out to tell us
that we have nothing to worry about. We know they are worried about losing
their investment and all in this research. These are people we see on the
local ski hill, in the supermarkets and at school functions. We do not wish
them ill but it is absolutely necessary they stop doing what they are doing.
The question is , is there any kind of research that could be done in
genetics that could be used to increase accuracy and speed in conventional
plant breeding ? What can be salvaged from this whole new field of endevour
which would be less risky etc.
Thanks again for your web site. We pass the address on daily ! Linda
Edwards, Organic Producers Association of Cawston-Keremeos
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