Western Producer | October 28, 1999 | D'Arce McMillan, Saskatoon newsroom
A survey of grain companies and canola crushers was cited as showing there are no plans to offer premiums or discounts for canola based on whether the seed is genetically modified or not. But Monsanto, which sponsored the survey, and the Canola Council of Canada note the market and regulatory environment are in flux and what was true at the time of the survey could change in the future. Carman Read of Monsanto was cited as saying his company hired the Angus Reid Group to survey western Canadian grain companies and crushers in the first week of October, adding, "There was a lot of confusion in the market around market acceptance and what the grain trade's intention was with respect to segregation or premiums around biotech or non biotech canola. The second thing was to get a good understanding of what requests they were getting from their customers, international or domestic."
The story says that Monsanto, a major supplier of GM canola seed in Canada, wanted information on how the situation might affect its fall and winter seed sales.
The Angus Reid survey found that grain companies and crushers are accepting all biotech canola and do not intend to start segregation programs, except for the identity-preserved programs they already run for specialty canolas. They have no plans to offer premiums or discounts based on whether the seed is GM or not. They said there is a lack of demand from customers at home and abroad for non-biotech canola. Read said farmers should realize the results are a snapshot of the situation in early October. Dale Adolphe, canola council president, was cited as saying the survey confirmed his understanding of the market's attitude toward GM canola but he urged farmers to keep abreast of new developments, adding, "I'd urge growers to keep their ear to the ground as to what is going on in Canada and in Japan." He noted there is a lot of speculation in the news media that confuses the situation. "Farmers have to continually listen and analyze the information to make their decisions. And this, of any year, is likely a good year to make a late decision rather than an early one."
