The Canadian Food Inspection Agency recently approved one variety of genetically modified engineered alfalfa.
While genetically-modified (GM) alfalfa seeds are not yet on the market, the approval of a herbicide tolerant alfalfa (named “Roundup Ready” from Monsanto/Forage Genetics International) means the sale of that variety is now legal in Canada.
That has upset many opponents of the move, who say more varieties could follow as soon as this summer.
“The recent discovery of contamination from unapproved GM wheat in the U.S. clearly shows why stopping the introduction of GM crops, such as GM alfalfa, is the only way to stop contamination,” said a statement on the website of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network.
Locally, about 250 farmers and consumers held a protest in Guelph on April 9, walking from the government’s food research office to Monsanto’s nearby Guelph office.
“For us alfalfa growers and farmers who are depending on alfalfa, conventional and organic, there is no benefit at the bottom line for Roundup Ready alfalfa,” said Linda Laepple, president of the Waterloo-Wellington Local 340 chapter of the National Farmers Union.
“We don’t want it, we don’t need it and you don’t want to eat it.”
Those opposed to GM alfalfa fear its migration to fields where original alfalfa is grown will contaminate those crops.
