[BCFSN] Wild Salmon Caravan - Media Advisory

[Dawn Morrison]

Hello all,
I am happy to forward the news that we have had another reprieve from
genetically engineered alfalfa being planted in Canada this year. Please
read below - and thank you to all who have taken action to help keep GE
alfalfa out of our soils and ecosystems.
in good food,
Abra
--
Abra Brynne
PO Box 684, Nelson, BC V1L 5R4
phone: 250.352.5342


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Lucy Sharratt - CBAN Coordinator <coordinator at cban.ca>
Date: 18 April 2015 at 13:23
Subject: [cban e-News] No GM Alfalfa in 2015
To: cban-e-news at cban.ca


Farmer and consumer protests in Canada have delayed the introduction of
genetically modified (GM) alfalfa since 2013 and we now have confirmation
that GM alfalfa will not be sold again this year in Canada. (the story is
below)

This confirmation follows statements against the introduction of GM alfalfa
in Western Canada from the farmer association Forage Seed Canada. You can
read that story here:
http://www.albertafarmexpress.ca/2015/04/06/forage-seed-industry-wants-western-canada-to-be-a-gm-alfalfa-free-zone-2/

Monsanto and Forage Genetics International continue to pursue future
commercial sales in Canada of GM glyphosate tolerant “Roundup Ready”
alfalfa as well as also other GM traits. (GM Roundup Ready alfalfa is
already sold in the US). The Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN)
is closely monitoring this issue with other groups.

For more information on GM alfalfa and on the importance of alfalfa in
Canadian farming, as well as detailed reports on the risk of contamination
from GM alfalfa and the failure of industry “coexistence plans", please see
www.cban.ca/alfalfa

Thank you for your continued support and action. Best regards, Lucy
Sharratt, Coordinator, Canadian Biotechnology Action Network

UPDATE

No Roundup Ready alfalfa crops for 2015

Manitoba Cooperator, Allan Dawson, April 9, 2015
http://www.manitobacooperator.ca/news-opinion/news/no-roundup-ready-alfalfa-production-for-2015/

Genetically modified (GM) Roundup Ready alfalfa will not be sold
commercially in Canada this year and it’s unclear when, if ever, it will be
commercialized in Western Canada.

“At this time FGI does not have plans to introduce biotech-enhanced alfalfa
traits to growers in Western Canada,” Forage Genetics International (FGI),
the company selling the GM alfalfa, said in a “Stakeholder Update” issued
last month.

However, the U.S.-based company says work is underway to develop a
“hay-to-hay” coexistence plan for the West.

“The goal is to have this plan completed by January 2016,” FGI said. “This
Western Canada plan is being developed in response to requests for
additional stewardship to address the possibility of product moving from
Ontario (and) Quebec to Western Canada.”

Heather Kerschbaumer, president of Forage Seed Canada, which represents
forage seed growers, welcomes FGI’s efforts to prevent GM alfalfa from
making its way west.

“If they are addressing this it’s all a good thing,” Kerschbaumer said from
her Fairview, Alta. farm and seed business. “I think the more planning and
discussion and looking at the consequences is a good thing. If we could be
involved in some way we are definitely interested in being part of it.”

Forage Seed Canada along with hay exporters and organic farmers are worried
that once commercialized Roundup Ready alfalfa will hurt their businesses,
because, according to them, it will be tough to keep GM and non-GM alfalfa
segregated. Alfalfa is a perennial crop that grows wild in ditches and on
uncultivated land. Bees and wind spread its pollen.

Seed growers and hay exporters fear they’ll lose markets in countries where
buyers don’t want GM crops.

Coexistence

A coexistence plan aimed at preventing Roundup Ready alfalfa from spreading
in Eastern Canada was created in 2013.

FGI says its stewardship plan in the U.S. “has allowed organic,
conventional and genetically modified (GM) alfalfa farmers to coexist,
regardless of the production method they choose.”

Although FGI won’t sell Roundup Ready alfalfa in Eastern Canada this year
it will allow 20 farmers — eight more than last year — to grow 20 to 30
acres for demonstration purposes.

“Feedback gathered from farmers who participated in the 2014 on-farm field
trial program confirms that Genuity Roundup Ready alfalfa delivers
outstanding weed control, superior crop safety, quick stand establishment
and vigorous growth, reinforcing that the Roundup Ready technology has been
incorporated into FGI’s very best seed genetics,” FGI said.

In addition, two “small-scale research trials” in the East will include
FGI’s newest GM alfalfa, HarvXtra, which is the Roundup Ready trait,
stacked with a reduced lignin trait. The latter produces alfalfa with
better nutritional and digestability benefits for cattle. Canadian
regulators approved HarvXtra alfalfa in December.

“At this time, FGI is considering the potential for commercial seed sales
of HarvXtra alfalfa with Roundup Ready technology in Ontario and Quebec
only,” FGI said. “That decision is confined to the sale of seed. Companies
would not be permitted to undertake any Genuity Roundup Ready alfalfa or
HarvXtra alfalfa with Roundup Ready technology seed production in Canada.
All seed production would take place in the U.S., with only commercial
sales for hay production allowed in Canada.”

Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator
Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN)
Collaborative Campaigning for Food Sovereignty and Environmental Justice
Suite 206, 180 Metcalfe Street
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K2P 1P5
Phone: 613 241 2267 ext. 25
Fax: 613 241 2506
coordinator at cban.ca
www.cban.ca
https://www.facebook.com/cban.canadian.biotechnology.action.network
@biotechaction

Join us for the GMO Inquiry 2015! www.GMOinquiry.ca
Suivez et participez à l’Enquête OGM 2015! www.enqueteOGM.ca

Donate today! www.cban.ca/donate





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