The Canadian National Newspaper: Conservatives must pull approval for genetically modified alfalfa

OTTAWA – New Democrat Agriculture critic, Alex Atamanenko, has challenged the Conservatives to reverse the environmental and health approvals for genetically modified (GM) alfalfa that have been awarded to Monsanto. He was joined by Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator for the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN), a coalition of 18 groups, and spokesperson for the "No to GMO Alfalfa" campaign which is endorsed by 80 groups.

“The only regulatory step left is variety registration at which point Monsanto will be able to foist their GM alfalfa into our marketplace,” stated Atamanenko. “We want to prevent this from happening at all costs.”

"GM alfalfa would be a disaster for Canadian farmers and consumers," said Lucy Sharratt, "Contamination from GM alfalfa would be inevitable and will have serious economic impacts on the livelihoods of both organic and conventional farmers. Alfalfa is a critical crop across the food production system and we must protect it for our collective future."

According to Atamanenko alfalfa is a particularly valuable crop to organic farmers who use it to fix nitrogen and as a soil-building component in their crop rotations and losing this crop would severely hamper their ability to maintain soil fertility. Also at risk is the organic livestock market which needs feed that is GM free.

“It is incomprehensible that the government would set the stage for Monsanto to eventually control this vital crop which can only come at the expense of Canada’s entire domestic and international organic markets,” concluded Atamanenko. “I urge the government to think twice and then think again before allowing Monsanto, whose sole interest is to gain a monopoly over the seed, to genetically alter a crop that serves farmers perfectly well already.

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