May 19, 2000 / The Saskatoon StarPhoenix / Joanne Paulson
The discovery that Canadian genetically modified canola has been planted in European fields came, according to this story, as a complete surprise to Advanta Seeds of Winnipeg, the seed exporter that does most of its business in conventional varieties, its general manager said Thursday.
Howard Morris added that Advanta did not know that the seed now causing an uproar in Europe contained genetically modified properties, stating, "The evidence is pointing pretty strongly toward outcrossing, which effectively means pollen coming from outside the field. ... As a company that has, to date, made the majority of our income out of conventional varieties, it's fair to say that it's frustrating. We're operating in a market where in excess of 50 per cent of the canola crop in Canada is GMOs."
Morris is concerned that the uproar will have a negative effect on Advanta, which focuses on producing hybrid canolas, not GMO varieties.
Saskatoon Canadian Organic Growers (COG) member Hart Haidn was cited as saying that the canola seed will curtail international markets for all canola -- including organically grown canola -- and possibly other crops, as well, adding, "This is pedigreed seed, grown by seed growers, who are the fussiest guys in the world. The fact that also their stuff is cross-pollinated is another indication of how serious this problem is. It will taint the image of anything Canadian, really. Whenever we screw something up with quality, this has major effects."
(posted without permission)
