ATAMANENKO: GMO crops today
By Alex Atamanenko
There has been a fair amount of debate of late in regard to genetically modified organisms (GMOs). We often see misconceptions and ‘myths’ being perpetrated by proponents of this technology which upon closer scrutiny cannot withstand the light of day. One myth is that GMOs will eliminate poverty and hunger in the world. Another is that they will provide enhanced nutritional benefits. The more GMO crops we initiate, so the story goes, the closer we are to solving all the world’s food problems. This is pure nonsense!
The facts tell a dramatically different story. Rather than increasing yield and providing additional nutrients GMO technology serves two basic functions: the insertion of genes from unrelated species to render crops either herbicide tolerant or insect resistant. Making a plant herbicide resistant means you can spray it with Monsanto’s Roundup formulations and kill every plant or weed around but still leave your crop unscathed. Making a plant insect resistant means you insert a gene that turns every cell into a pesticide factory rendering the entire plant toxic to insects.
In North America the GM crops planted today are corn, soy, canola, cotton and sugar beets. The US has just approved the unrestricted and nation-wide planted of GM alfalfa despite a storm of protest and legal challenges.
During the last session of Parliament, I introduced my Bill C-474 which would have required an analysis of the economic impact on farmers and their markets prior to introducing any new GM crops. Had this bill passed, it would have been able to prevent the introduction of GM alfalfa until there was some assurance that our markets would not reject Canadian crops because of it. As it stands Monsanto will be able to introduce two varieties of GM alfalfa whenever it wants to register them as our government has already awarded them the necessary approvals.
The problem with all GM crops is that contamination via cross pollination with non-GM crops is inevitable. If GM alfalfa is introduced, both conventional and organic farmers will in no time at all be denied the ability to grow GM free alfalfa. This would result in many established markets being closed to our farmers. In BC there is a move to introduce a GM ‘non-browning apple’ which carries the same inherent problems of cross pollination and market challenges for our growers – all so apples can be sliced for an indefinite amount of time without going brown.
In Europe the situation is a bit different. There are only two GM crops permitted for cultivation: Monsanto’s 810 corn and BASF Amflora potato. New cases of GM potato contamination have led to bans in Austria, Luxembourg and Hungary. Although these are the only two crops permitted for cultivation, Europe has approved other GMOs for feed and food imports.
What I find interesting is that while there is a big push for more GM crops in North America, the cultivation of GMO continues to decline in the European Union (EU). Between 2008 and 2010, there was a 23% decline while in Romania it was 87%.
Most of the land where GMOs are grown is in Spain (Mon 810 corn) where contamination of conventional and organic corn varieties has resulted in negative economic impacts.
In Europe the public appears to be more aware of the environmental and health concerns of GM crops and as a result some governments have reacted. Monsanto’s 810 corn has been banned in Luxembourg, Hungary, France, Germany, Austria and Greece. Bulgaria legislated a total ban on GM crops in 2010. In the same year over 1 million Europeans signed a petition calling for a moratorium and the creation of an independent scientific and ethical body to test and regulate GMOs.
Unfortunately, our government is not getting the message and is pushing the EU to lessen it restrictions on GMOs. Perhaps it is time for Canadians to mobilize and demand strict and far more independent oversight of this technology in our country.
Alex Atamanenko is the MP for BC Southern Interior.
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