July 29, 2010
Take Action / Resources / Topics / GE Crops and Foods (Not on the Market) / Wheat
Wheat
Support Bill C-474 to Stop GM Wheat!
July-September 2010: Bill C-474 would support Canadian farmers by requiring that “an analysis of potential harm to export markets be conducted before the sale of any new genetically engineered seed is permitted.”If this Bill is passed it would stop GM wheat and GM alfalfa. Your action is needed! Click here for info and action.
News - July 2010: Monsanto and BASF Plant Science are expanding joint research to develop GM wheat. They say they aim to commercialize a GM wheat by at least 10 years. The companies say they plan to "initially focus on developing biotech products for the North American and Australian markets." The joint announcement comes on the heels of a separate plan announced by Syngenta and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in April to work toward biotech wheat.
February 9, 2010:
GM Wheat Rejected by 233 Farmer and Consumer Groups from 26 Countries.
1. Groups in Canada and around the world: Sign the global rejection of GM wheat here.
2. Individuals in Canada: Send an instant email to the Minister of Agriculture today! (You will receive an email copy of the letter you send - send it to your Member of Parliament. You can search for your MP here using your postal code.)
Background: In 2009, Monsanto launched new GM wheat research and bought WestBred, a Montana company specializing in wheat germplasm. Monsanto's announcement followed a May 2009 statement from industry groups in Australia, Canada and the US stating that they would work together to synchronize commercialization in the three countries. This industry statement was quickly countered by farmer and consumer groups in Australia, Canada and the US - they launched the Definitive Global Rejection of Genetically Engineered Wheat: Read the statement. (or download the pdf.)
Summary Statement:
In light of our existing experience with genetic engineering, and recognizing the global consumer rejection of genetically engineered wheat, we restate our definitive opposition to GE wheat and our commitment to stopping the commercialization of GE traits in our wheat crops.
Organizations across the world are invited to sign on to this statement. Click here to see the orginal list of 15 groups from Canada, Australia and the USA who initiated the statement.
Monsanto withdrew their applications to the Canadian and U.S. governments for approval of GE (Roundup Ready) Wheat in 2004 because of a global rejection from farmers and consumers. But on May 14, 2009, industry groups in Canada, Australia and the US pledged to "work toward the goal of synchronized commercialization of biotech traits in our wheat crops." Click here to read the industry statement.
Background
You can download two great factsheets from the National Farmers Union:
Latest News
Farmers in Canada are opposed to GM wheat:
- 69% of farmers are opposed to the introduction of GM wheat "at this time" according to a 2009 survey conducted by the Canadian Wheat Board.
- 83% of Canadian farmers disagreed that Roundup Ready wheat should be introduced according to a study started in 2004 and published in a peer reviewed article March 2009. Overall, the farmers ranked the risks of market loss, corporate control of the food supply, agronomic impact and contamination of non-GM crops much higher than any anticipated production benefits. The study: “Farmer knowledge and a priori risk analysis: pre-release evaluation of genetically modified Roundup Ready wheat across the Canadian prairies”, Ian J. Mauro & Stéphane M. McLachlan & Rene C. Van Acker, 20 March 2009, Environmental Science and Pollution Research.
“Monsanto needs to accept defeat.” said Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, a coalition of 18 groups. “The industry groups in our three countries are promising to force this product on all of us but today we reiterate our pledge to stop them.” - June 1, 2009 Press Release
