Industry Accused Of Overstating EU Feed Import Crisis

The disruption to animal feed imports caused by Europe’s “zero-tolerance” policy on unapproved genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has been exaggerated by industry, Friends of the Earth said May 4. Last summer, several shipments of soy from the United States were blocked from entering Europe after authorities detected traces of unauthorized GM maize in the consignments,

Field Testing For A New GM Flax Is Put On Hold

We’re not going to do anything that’s illicit. But I think research has to go on.” – RANDALL WESELAKE AUniversity of Alberta researcher has bowed to pressure from the flax industry and cancelled plans to conduct plot trials on a genetically modified flax this spring. Randall Weselake, the University of Alberta professor developing the new


Deere Eyes $500-Million Investment In Russia Farm Boom

Deere and Co. , the world’s largest farm equipment maker, is on track to spend $500 million building new plants in Russia and offering credit lines and other services to farmers within the next six years. Deere chairman and chief executive Samuel Allen said April 27 that Russia, the European Union, South America and Asia

In Brief… – for May. 13, 2010

April showers: Weather systems since April 28 in southern Manitoba produced more rain in one week than normally falls in April and May combined, Manitoba Water Stewardship said in a bulletin last week warning of rising river levels. Significant flooding was not expected. Most areas of southern Manitoba received between 25 millimetres and 40 millimetres


Nothing To Hide

Forty-five years may have dimmed a frame or two of memory, but I can still see my father emptying small bags of flour-like powder into a five-gallon bucket and then, slowing stirring in a trickle of water until the two ingredients combined to make a chalky, white cream. The bags contained the still-new, pre-emergent herbicide

U. S. Supreme Court Hears GM Alfalfa Arguments

WASHINGTON, D. C. The U. S. Supreme Court was asked last week to rule on whether the courts have the authority to block genetically modified crops due to environmental concerns. The case involving Monsanto’s genetically modified Roundup Ready alfalfa heard here April 27 marks the first time the controversies over commercializing new technology have reached


In Brief… – for May. 6, 2010

Safety lapse: Four children were injured April 28 after they were thrown from an ATV they were riding on a public road in the Rural Municipality of La Broquerie. The 13-year-old male driver and two of his passengers, aged one and two, were taken to Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre. A 10-year-old female passenger was treated

Progress Being Made To Stop GM-Related Trade Disruptions

“I think there’s increased recognition within Europe that the pendulum swung too far… and I think there is a conscious effort to re-examine it.” – Dennis Stephens Trade disruptions caused by itinerant genetically modified (GM) crops can be fixed if countries end their zero-tolerance policy and set low but realistic thresholds, says Dennis Stephens, a


Wheat Likely Contaminated By GM

“Fifteen years ago people didn’t think Greenpeace was a significant player in policy development – they are, they clearly are.” – Randy Giroux Genetically modified (GM) wheat hasn’t been commercialized but wheat contaminated by other GM crops is out there if someone looks hard enough for it, says Ian White, president and CEO of the

Grain Industry Worried By New Toxin Limits

Canada’s grain industry wants safer food, but it doubts pending regulations to restrict exposure to ochratoxin A (OTA), a suspected carcinogen in grains and other foods, will be effective. In the meantime, those regulations threaten to add costs throughout the pipeline from farmer to food processor. “There really needs to be a supply chain solution,”