Letters – for Dec. 2, 2010

The November 18 issue was very interesting reading and has prompted me to write to compliment Laura Rance for her excellent editorial on the changes in the Animal Care Act and the increased authority for provincial animal-welfare officers. I also have to say that the two letters to the editor regarding dogs riding in the

More Pros And Cons Heard On Bill C-474

Farmers welcome new crop varieties, but they also want regulations to ensure those crops don’t ruin markets, Paul Gregory told the House of Commons’ agriculture committee during a hearing on Bill C-474 broadcast live on the Internet Oct. 5. “I talk to farmers every day,” said Gregory, president of Interlake Forage Seeds Inc., near Fisher


U.S. Farmers Urge Sanctions Against EU’s GM Crop Ban – for Aug. 12, 2010

The largest U.S. farm group has urged the Obama administration to begin steps towards imposing sanctions on the European Union in a long-running dispute over the EU’s treatment of genetically modified crops. The American Farm Bureau Federation, in comments given to the administration July 26, complained the EU still has not complied with a 2006

U.S. Farmers Urge Sanctions Against EU’s GM Crop Ban – for Aug. 12, 2010

The largest U.S. farm group has urged the Obama administration to begin steps towards imposing sanctions on the European Union in a long-running dispute over the EU’s treatment of genetically modified crops. The American Farm Bureau Federation, in comments given to the administration July 26, complained the EU still has not complied with a 2006


Canola, Soybean Farmers Oppose Market Access Bill

Genetically engineered seeds have been a boon to canola and soybean farmers and Ottawa shouldn’t impose non-scientific evaluations on future varieties, representatives of oilseed growers told the Commons agriculture committee last week. The committee is holding hearings on a bill presented by NDP farm spokesman Alex Atamanenko to require a market analysis of new GE

Will Bill C-474 Kill Research?

Will the private sector bow out of crop research if Bill C-474 becomes law? Some industry and farm organizations warn NDP MP Alex Atamanenko’s private member’s bill to require a market impact assessment before new technology is approved will have that result. If private companies pull out, or even cut back on research, it would


The “Cradle Of Crop Biotech” Lies In Europe

Canadian growers of flax and canola are well aware that most Europeans are not keen on biotechnology in agriculture. But if you’re looking for exceptions, this city in Flanders in the northern region of Belgium would be a good place to start. The ancient town centre, currently undergoing massive restoration, is one of the most

Letters – for May. 13, 2010

We welcome readers’comments on issues that have been covered in the Manitoba Co-operator. In most cases we cannot accept “open” letters or copies of letters which have been sent to several publications. Letters are subject to editing for length or taste. We suggest a maximum of about 300 words. Farmers heading back to bad old


Will Farmers Get “Generic” GM Crops?

WASHINGTON, D. C. Generic drugs keep drug prices down, could the same work for genetically modified crops when their patents expire? It’s an idea Tom Vilsack, the United States’ secretary of agriculture, wants to explore. “We have a generic drug industry in this country, the question is how do we create that kind of industry

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