Another small step has been taken toward getting genetically altered canola accepted in Europe, but there is still a big gap to close before Canada can again export the oilseed there.
Agrevo recently got a favorable environmental ruling on specific Liberty Link canola and corn products.
Agrevo spokesperson Steve Meister said the development is significant because it is the first advance in about a year and a step closer toward the European Union having a predictable system for approving genetically modified plants.
While Canada, the United States and Japan have approved genetically altered canola varieties, the European Union has been more cautious, reflecting a more skeptical attitude about genetic engineering on the part of European consumers.
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A tedious progress
It could be years before Europe approves all of the genetically altered canolas Canada produces.
“We’ve got three or four or five different (genetic) events from all the suppliers of canola in Canada and only one or two of them are close to clearance in Europe, but all the current commercialized ones will have to be cleared before a bushel of canola can go to Europe,” Meister said.
When the Canadian canola industry decided two years ago that it would no longer keep canola produced from genetically altered seed separate in its handling system, it removed itself from the European marketplace. Europe is not a consistent customer, but in some years because of domestic production problems it turns to the world market for supply.
Meister said the approval process in Europe is time consuming.
First the company that owns the genetically altered variety approaches the country with the largest commercial potential and supplies it with scientific data about its food and environmental safety. Agrevo sent the canola information to the United Kingdom.
That country reviews the data and if it approves, it sends it to the European Commission, which assesses the data as it applies to all of Europe. If it approves, the application goes back to the original country to grant the registration.
“Unfortunately the period from when it went to Europe from England took a couple of years. Now we are at the point where England can grant us registration,” Meister said.
