GMO Alfalfa - coming soon to Canada?

-to be released in California spring 2005.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) asked for comments on Monsanto's request to register a genetically modified Alfalfa variety in Canada. The 60 day comment period is over but you can still let CFIA know what you think

Monsanto claims that they have no plans to release the plant in Canada, but their spokesperson Trish Jordan is quoted as saying, "Circumstances certainly can change. Just because we don't have any commercialization plans (in Canada) right now, that doesn't mean that might not change in the future."

From the same article "As well, she said, the company had to take into account the possibility that circumstances beyond its control could lead to the GM alfalfa crossing into Canada once it was released to growers in the U.S.
That could happen through illegal shipments of seed into Canada or through insects such as bees carrying pollen from Roundup Ready alfalfa fields near the border. Cross-pollination with non-GM alfalfa crops could result.
"It's a plant, so we're going to have some possibility for movement," Jordan said." *

Here are some of the reasons I think that release of a GM alfalfa variety in Canada (or anywhere) would be a disaster.

Spread of the added genetic material is unavoidable:

• Alfalfa is bee pollinated, and bees can travel long distances carrying pollen from one field to another. The isolation distance to prevent transfer of the genes from GM alfalfa to non-modified alfalfa would be many miles. Alfalfa seed is usually produced in concentrated districts in Canada, so crossing would be almost inevitable. Organic production systems have zero tolerance for genetically modified organisms, so organic alfalfa seed might soon become a thing of the past.

• Farmers will also use GM alfalfa for hay production. This hay is almost always cut after blooming starts, giving an opportunity for bees to transfer pollen from the GM crop to other seed crops of alfalfa.

• Alfalfa seed crops produce a lot of "hard" seed that can germinate even a few years after the field has been ploughed up. This would mean that a GM alfalfa seed crop would have the potential of contaminating non-GM alfalfa crops planted even a few years later.

• Alfalfa hay is a big part of organic livestock production. Organic livestock products may become a thing of the past if this release of genetic material goes ahead.

Choice will be taken away from the farmer and the consumer:

• The genetic characteristics Monsanto proposes to add to the new variety of alfalfa may or may not be harmful to the consumer or the ecosystem. But if they release their variety, there will be no going back. Genetic pollution has the potential to be much more serious than chemical pollution because there is no reasonable prospect of a cleanup.

• It will no longer be possible to obtain non GM alfalfa if Monsanto succeeds in contaminating seed stocks world wide. Choice will be gone.

Let's hope that consumer and industry pressure can stop Monsanto in their tracks. Help keep organic alfalfa sprouts and organic livestock available. Write to your MP and the Minister of Agriculture

Jim Mumm, October 7, 2004, Nov. 12, 2004

BACKGROUND - See this press release, from the Western Organization of Resource Councils, on the GM alfalfa issue in the USA.

Sale of  Monsanto's Roundup Ready alfalfa halted by US court.
Finally some recognition that new GM organisms should be subject to environmental review

GOOD NEWS - A US judge has found that the USDA was "cavalier" in allowing the release of Monsanto's GM alfalfa without an environmental review. This may halt the growing and sale of GM alfalfa, and may have long term effects in slowing the introduction of GM crops. See this press release.

EVEN MORE GOOD NEWS -
California Judge makes injunction against Roundup Ready genetically modified alfalfa permanent. USDA and Monsanto will need to perform an environmental review, estimated to take 2 years, before the GM alfalfa can be planted further. Hopefully after proper review, the GM alfalfa will be prohibited. See this article in the SF Chronicle.

Jim Mumm 2007

Canadian Minister of Agriculture:
Honourable Gerry Ritz
 Contact
 
 AND
 (your MP's name)
 House of Commons
  Parliament Buildings
 Ottawa, ON  K1A 0A6
 (no stamp required)

Remember, these letters are postage free if mailed in Canada. Politicians put a lot of weight  to opinions that people have taken the time to write out and mail.

If you're in the US, write your responsible legislator.

Links to more GM Alfalfa vs. organic agriculture information:

Paper by my daughter with solid information on environmental dangers of GE crops.  Lots of references to further reading.

Interesting student paper published on the Organic agriculture Centre of Canada website.  The Impact of Roundup Ready Alfalfa on Organic Systems (.PDF file)

Comments from the Green Party of Canada on GM alfalfa.

Article, on Agbios website, quoting Monsanto spokesperson on Monsanto's plans for GM alfalfa in Canada