national
farmers union
national
farmers unionSWIFT CURRENT, Sask. - The National Farmers Union is concerned that drifting pollen and wind-blown seed from genetically-engineered crops will contaminate non-genetically-engineered crops and cost organic producers and other farmers millions of dollars. The NFU believes that makers of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) should pay compensation for genetic pollution.
Stewart Wells, NFU Saskatchewan Coordinator and organic farmer from Swift Current, says it may soon become impossible to certify canola as organic because no one will be able to guarantee that it does not contain genetically-engineered seeds. "If this continues, once wheat, barley, lentils and other crops are genetically-engineered, I won't have anything left to grow. For organic farmers and the hundreds of thousands of consumers who choose organic food, this is an extremely serious issue," said Wells.
Genetic pollution affects non-organic farmers as well. Canadian farmers have already lost markets in Europe for canola because genetic pollution makes it nearly impossible for them to ensure European consumers that Canadian canola is GMO-free. "The loss of the European market will have a significant cost to all farmers. Monsanto and other companies who engineer these crops reap the profits of their work. It is also fair that they pay the costs which their products create for other farmers," said Wells.
Companies who make GMOs have admitted that their products cross-pollinate in the environment in an uncontrollable fashion. NFU members, at their most recent convention, resolved that the NFU should lobby governments "making parent companies liable for genetic pollution that has infringed on the livelihoods of farmers or the general public." The NFU has talked to several MPs about this pressing issue, communicated its concerns to the federal Minister of Agriculture, and is exploring the possibility of a private members' bill.
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