NORTH BATTLEFORD, Sask. – Rallies staged by the National Farmers Union and the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network to protest the commercial growing plans for genetically modified alfalfa hit locations in several cities across Canada today.
Events were scheduled for 17 communities in Ontario and 21 others in Western Canada including federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz’s constituency office in North Battleford, Sask.
“Genetically modified alfalfa is going to do a lot more harm than good,” said Glenn Tait, board member of the National Farmers Union.
Tait and about 20 other farmers and supporters gathered during the noon hour outside Ritz’s office.
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Tait said there’s more questions than answers at this point in time with the new product. “Actually we don’t know if it’s going to do any good at all, we don’t know if anybody is going to pick it up. It seems to be a severe solution to a very minor problem and the ramifications are going to be large,” he said.
In 2005 GM alfalfa was approved for release with regard to health and environmental safety, but has yet to be registered.
Forage Genetics International is planning to apply for registration and have Roundup Ready alfalfa released in Eastern Canada this spring.
