- REGINA - A group of organic
farmers in Saskatchewan is suing two multinational companies that make
genetically modified products: Monsanto and Aventis.
-
- The farmers say their fields are being invaded by
genetically
engineered seeds planted by the companies. As a result, they can't
guarantee
their own products are free from genetically modified organisms
(GMOs).
-
- "We have no problem with their technology as long
as they can segregate it and keep it out of our fields and out of our
system,"
says Arnold Taylor, president of the Saskatchewan Organic
Directorate.
-
- SOD filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of all the
certified organic farmers in the province.
-
- "We are seeking damages for the loss of our canola
and of our market," says Taylor.
-
- The farmers say they can't sell their organic product
anywhere, especially to the European Union where strict rules prohibit
any GMOs from being present in any part of the process.
-
- Monsanto introduced a genetically modified canola in
1996, one year after Aventis introduced a similar product. Both canola
plants have been modified to be immune to the most widely used herbicide
on the priairies.
-
- "Since (the companies) started five, six years ago,
it has been virtually impossible to find any seed stock that's
uncontaminated,"
says Taylor.
-
- Injunction to prevent modified wheat
-
- Taylor says drifting seeds have caused cross-pollination
with organic seeds and it has cost farmers millions of dollars.
-
- This isn't the first time organic farmers and
biotechnology
companies have gone to court.
-
- Saskatchewan farmer Percy Schmeiser lost his case against
Monsanto in April 2001.
-
- 'It's your seed, you are responsible for it and it's
on our land' He sued the company, claiming its GM canola seeds blew onto
his property. Schmeiser had been trying to keep his crop GMO-free. The
company countersued saying Schmeiser used their seeds.
-
- Taylor says SOD's lawsuit is different.
-
- "We are saying 'It's your seed, you are responsible
for it. It's on our land and we want compensation for
damages.'"
-
- Beyond compensation, SOD is seeking an injunction to
prevent Monsanto and Aventis from planting modified wheat.
-
- Monsanto is testing a genetically modified wheat and
wants to release it within two years.
-
- Taylor says that would be a disaster for all organic
farmers in the province.
-
- "We obviously cannot afford to lose wheat which
is our largest crop and biggest market."
-
- The companies have not yet filed statements of defence
and won't comment on the claim.
-
- Written by CBC News Online staff
-
- <
FONT
SIZE=+1>http://cbc.ca
|
