Back in April of 2012 I wrote about genetically modified wheat being introduced into the food chain and how it was convenient that the Canadian wheat board was being dismantled right at the same time (read that story HERE). But now after more research I have come to realize how that was only the tip of the iceberg.
Monsanto was pushing to have their GM wheat introduced in Canada, but withdrew government requests for approval back in 2004. Thanks to Canadian farmers and the Wheat board fighting against them. Since that time Monsanto has far from given up on their round up ready wheat. They simply shifted focus to the Australian wheat market.
Australia is the first country to conduct trials with Monsanto’s wheat strain. Currently 9 trial crops have been planted, and the Australian government has predicted that there will be GM bread on the market by 2015.
The Canadian government is maintaining that it has no plans to approve the GM wheat in the near future. But with plans going full steam ahead in Australia, and Monsanto’s grip on our government how long will that position last? Monsanto is notorious for utilizing the corporatist nature of western governments and using it to their advantage whenever possible.
This is why the Canadian wheat board was so important! they were instrumental in fighting off Monsanto almost a decade ago. They stood as a united voice for the farmers and kept Monsanto at bay.
Studies done show that Canadian wheat farmers do not want Monsanto wheat.
– 69% of farmers are opposed to the introduction of GM wheat “at this time” according to a 2009 survey conducted by the Canadian Wheat Board.
– 83% of Canadian farmers disagreed that Roundup Ready wheat should be introduced according to a study started in 2004 and published in a peer reviewed article March 2009. Overall, the farmers ranked the risks of market loss, corporate control of the food supply, agronomic impact and contamination of non-GM crops much higher than any anticipated production benefits. The study: “Farmer knowledge and a priori risk analysis: pre-release evaluation of genetically modified Roundup Ready wheat across the Canadian prairies”, Ian J. Mauro & Stéphane M. McLachlan & Rene C. Van Acker, 20 March 2009, Environmental Science and Pollution Research.
Source
Now Canadian farmers are left to themselves to fend off Monsanto when they come back around with their wheat. We have seen how this type of situation play out.
The World According to Monsanto
The push to label GMO products does not go far enough. We must totally ban all GMO products! If we do not, this is just the beginning. Corn, soy, potatoes, alfalfa, wheat, and what will be next?
We must take a strong stand and the time to do so is now!
Jack,
In the mid nineties Canada was the first to introduce GM foods to it’s people…in secret. it came out 10 yrs. later…. So we have been eating some..potatoes, tomatoes, brocolli are 3 i know of. Most corn you get in products is GM…as is sugar form sugar beets in proceeded and packaged food.
Does anyone know if GM potatoes are already in the stores in Canada? As a gardener, I have attempted to plant eyes from potatoes over the past two years. None of them germinated. Having grown potatoes many years ago with no difficulty whatsoever, I find this strange. Normal potato eyes should produce new plants. Given my recent unsuccessful attempts to grow them, I suspect that the potatoes in question were GM but cannot prove it. They were purchased at different stores – large supermarket chains and small independent fruit and vegetable stores. If anyone knows if there are already GM potatoes in the stores, please post any information that you have. Thanks.
People should turn off their TV’;s and start using other sources for information such as the Internet which provides news which the mainstream media does not bother to mention.Folks GMO”s are a poison to our health and well being! The elite out there have nothing else better to do than try and eliminate some of us through poisoning the food supply!
The dismantling of the Canadian Wheat Board was not good. Alfalfa (gm) is next on the agenda here in Canada then I am sure it’ll be wheat.