Manitoba Flax Growers Turn Thumbs Down On Bill C-474

The Manitoba Flax Growers Association (MFGA) has decided it won’t support Bill C-474, a private member’s bill that would require market impact be considered before approving the release of new genetically modified (GM) crops in Canada. “It is a difficult issue,” MFGA president Eric Fridfinnson said in an interview May 6, the day after the

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


Canadian Flax Exports Up But Prices Are Lower

Cash bids for flaxseed in Western Canada have been holding fairly steady and in some cases, have firmed, due to the fact exports of the commodity are pretty good. Mike Jubinville, an analyst with ProFarmer Canada said there has been surprisingly good movement of Canadian flaxseed to China, but the value at which the product

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


Coalition’s Efforts In Bad Taste, Literally

I really got irate over reading the article in the March 25 edition of the Manitoba Boycott not the way to address flax issue After reading the article regarding the recent KAP meeting at Portage la Prairie April 8, I was somewhat concerned about the resolution regarding a boycott of products from the EU27 as

European boycott counterproductive

KAP’s call for a boycott of European goods in response the EU’s zero tolerance of GM contamination in flax in the (April 15 Manitoba Co-operator) is an ill-considered response to a ban which we have long known about, and which is our problem and not theirs. In calling for a boycott, we deny Europe’s right


U OfA’s GM Flax Raises Eyebrows

“Now EU buyers of confectionery, or food flax, require their contracts to state: Canadian flax 100 per cent excluded. As a promoter and marketer of Canadian grain that really hurts.” – TERRY JAMES Canada’s flax industry is nervously eyeing ongoing research at the University of Alberta aimed at developing a genetically modified flax with a

Short Bill Sparks Hot Debate

Bill C-474 is sure stirring up a lot a fuss for being only 42 words long. The bill states in its entirety: “The governor-in-council shall, within 60 days after this act comes into force, amend the Seeds Regulations to require that an analysis of potential harm to export markets be conducted before the sale of


Mixing Math And Science

This quote attributed to Albert Einstein underscores the risks of mixing math with science. The two go hand in hand for practical analytical purposes, but whereas one relies on absolute proof through repeatable patterns, the other is based on accumulating empirical evidence. In other words, in order for a mathematical equation to be accepted as

Flaxseed Exports Up As Low Prices Create Demand

Canadian flaxseed exports are actually up on the year, despite ongoing problems moving the commodity to the traditional European market. An export official said the increased export pace was largely due to a pickup in Chinese buying at lower price levels. According to the latest Canadian Grain Commission data, Canada had exported a total of