E-mail this article to
yourself or a friend.
Enter address:





home

GM crop shows up in Canadian farmer's field

(Sunday, Aug. 3, 2003 -- CropChoice news) -- Canadian Broadcasting Co.: - A Swift Current area farmer wants compensation from Monsanto after finding genetically-modified canola in his field.

Bob George found Monsanto's brand of GM canola had popped up in several acres of his fields, even though he didn't plant it. He called the company and they sent a group of students to pull the unwanted canola out.

Monsanto's Trish Jordan says this is a case of canola showing up where it wasn't expected, possibly spread by wind. Jordan says in this case, hand-picking was the only option, as the plants were too big.

"I think it's important that you understand that this isn't really a GM issue," said Jordan. "The only reason that the farmer sees it as an issue is because he's relying on our product roundup to usually do this sort of treatment."

Bob George does see it as a GM issue and says he won't be able to plant a special variety of non-GM canola in that field next year, which will cost him money.

Monsanto says as soon as the field is clear, so is their responsibility. The company deals with around 13 cases of unexpected volunteer canola every season.

http://sask.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/PrintStory?filename=sk_monsanto20030801®ion=Sask