GMW: Anxiety in Canada as Japanese rethink GM canola imports

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GMW: Anxiety in Canada as Japanese rethink GM canola imports

" GM WATCH " <info

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 13:35:51 +0100

 

 

 

 

GM WATCH daily

http://www.gmwatch.org

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Genetic contamination from GM canola (OSR) in Canada is at such

horrific levels that organic growers have had to abandon growing the

crop and

the problems for conventional farmers, like Percy Schmeiser, are known

world wide. But Canada has also been exporting its problems...

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From Akiko Frid in Japan:

 

It was on the first page of one of the farmer's paper in Canada this

weekend.

 

" Isman said the volunteer problem is easily managed by cutting the

plants down, pulling them out or spraying chemical on them " . (Barb Isman,

president of the Canola Council of Canada)

 

You know who is pulling them out? It is done by worried citizens in

Japan. They spend their own energy and time, as well as their own pocket

money to go out and pull them up. Because they are extremely worried,

whatever the government's " safety assessment " says. Polluter must pay,

and Canada should stop exporting GMO contamination to Japan!

 

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/press/reports/canola-report

Spread of genetically engineered canola contamination confirmed across

Japan

– Canadian GE canola the culprit

 

Regards,

Akiko

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Japanese rethinking GM canola

This document web posted: Wednesday June 8, 2005 20050609p1

By Sean Pratt

Saskatoon newsroom

 

A country that regularly buys half of Canada's canola seed exports is

contemplating whether it will continue to accept shipments containing

genetically modified product.

 

Japan is re-evaluating the regulatory approval of GM canola through a

new law intended to ensure the smooth implementation of the Cartagena

Protocol on Biosafety, an international agreement governing the movement

of GMOs.

 

" If it is not reapproved, GM canola will not be in the Japanese

market, " said Chie Yoshitomi, third secretary for the Japanese Embassy in

Canada. That would be a huge blow to the canola industry, which regularly

ships 1.7 million tonnes of seed to that destination. But according to

the embassy's agricultural attache the word out of Tokyo is that since

GM canola was approved under the old guidelines it is " unlikely " there

will be any problem meeting the new requirements. " This will probably be

approved, but it's not for sure, " said Yoshitomi.

 

However, the uncertainty over the new Japanese legislation is creating

anxiety in canola circles.

 

" The whole issue of gene technology has become so sensitized that there

really is no such thing as a rubber stamp when it comes to the

product, " said Barb Isman, president of the Canola Council of Canada.

" This

stuff is studied and tested and mulled over probably more than any

technology in the history of food production. "

 

The council has kept a close eye on the progress of the legislation

since it was enacted in June 2003, but there have been few developments

and Japanese officials are reluctant to divulge when public hearings will

wrap up. " That was one of the questions we asked and we were told,

'when it ends,' " said Isman.

 

GM varieties are currently accepted under a temporary transitional

measure but a spokesperson for the Japanese ministry of agriculture was

recently quoted as saying a new food and feed safety assessment based on

the Cartagena protocol will be conducted in the near future.

 

Greenpeace Canada campaigner Eric Darier said that review could spell

disaster for prairie canola growers. " It could mean that Canadian

farmers would be facing another problem in terms of exporting Canadian

commodities abroad. "

 

One thing that won't help their cause is the recent discovery of GM

canola volunteers growing near a number of Japanese ports.

 

In February the Japanese Institute for Environmental Studies published

the findings of its investigation that found herbicide-resistant canola

growing around five of the six ports where samples were collected.

Japan's ministry of agriculture has stated there is no need to worry

about

the environmental impact of the escaped GM seeds, but it has

recommended the Japan Oilseed Processors Association clean up the

unwanted

plants.

 

The canola council has also been working with the Japanese crushing

industry because Canada provides about 80 percent of Japan's seed

imports.

However, Isman pointed out that the extent of contamination amounted to

about 700 plants. " I took 700 seeds and that represents a tablespoon.

And we ship them between 1.5 and 1.8 million tonnes per year. "

 

Darier said the incident is galvanizing opposition to GM canola in a

country that consumes domestically grown rapeseed, mustards and other

related crops. " This GE contamination in Japan is potentially very, very

bad news for Canadian farmers who are growing canola. "

 

Isman said the volunteer problem is easily managed by cutting the

plants down, pulling them out or spraying chemical on them. However, she

remains a little nervous about the broader reapproval process because of

its potentially disastrous ramifications and how long it seems to be

dragging out. " If you look at this from a scientific perspective we have

nothing but confidence. If you look at this from a political perspective

I don't know. I can't gauge that, " said Isman.

 

 

 

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