GM crops lead to hazardous pesticide use   

Canadian farmers visiting the UK to explain their opposition to genetically modified (GM) wheat, spoke out on problems they are facing in their GM canola (oil seed rape) crops. Canola growers have resorted to applications of 2,4-D to deal with unwanted canola plants (known as ‘volunteers’).
    The delegation explained that the GM adoption rates were high as farmers welcome change and new technology and they have benefited from conservation tillage associated with the GM canola. However they have so far found no yield advantage or quality benefits, and increased liability risks to their neighbours. Conventional seed cannot be guaranteed GM free due to contamination.
    Technical and licence fees mean that production costs have not reduced. Farmers face the unexpected cost, in terms of products and time, needed for dealing with volunteers. In the longer term, additional herbicide applications to control volunteers will increase the potential for pest resistance. Monsanto, is marketing a new tank mix of glyphosate and 2,4,D, the farmers said.
    Monsanto has agreed to remove unwanted GM plants. However, no farmer wants to risk the fate of Percy Schmeiser, who was sued by Monsanto over GM crops blown from a neighbouring farm and seeded on his land. GM canola seed can remain dormant for at least five years.
    Growing conventional non-GM canola in Canada is rapidly becoming impossible, and despite high demand, organic canola production is under threat. Research on seed stocks has shown as much as 95% of conventional canola seeds have been contaminated with GM. Resistance to glyphosate in conventional seed is thus a growing problem. (SF)

Source:Meeting organised by the Small and Family Farms Alliance, 10 July 2003, London, UK.

[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 61, September 2003, page 18]