With the upcoming UBCM AGM it has come to my attention that there is a resolution calling for the banning of all GMO crops from B.C.
Before supporting this, I would like to bring some things to your attention:
• GMO crops such as corn, canola and soybean have been through a rigorous Health Canada food safety process that ensures the nutritional makeup is equal to the original plants. Health Canada also collaborates with CFIA for environmental safety, ensuring the new plant is not at risk of becoming a plant pest, that new traits cannot be transferred to other plants, and to assess their potential impact on biodiversity. The trials and scrutiny of these crops was extended over a 10-15 year period.
• GMO crops have been grown in Canada for the past 15 years.
Their acceptance by the farming community is widespread. Examples are canola at 19 million acres; corn for grain at 1.5 million acres. It is common knowledge that 90 per cent of canola, 80 per cent of corn are considered GMO because they contain a gene that makes them resistant to a herbicide called glyphosate, allowing for single spray weed control. Corn for silage and foundation canola seed are common crops in the Shuswap.
• Conventional agriculture has co-existed with organic agriculture. I see no reason why the two types of farming can not continue side-by-side.
• Because these crops are federally registered, licensed and approved, a regional or provincial ban would be ineffective, impossible to administrate and would put farmers currently growing these crops at a disadvantage with other regions.
It is my sincere hope that the councillors attending UBCM will research and speak with farmers about the benefits and cautions of growing GMO crops. It’s important to give serious consideration to the fact that this resolution is a direct threat to the stability of our provincial agricultural economy.
Lorne Hunter
