Greg Douglas, Biotechnology chair of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers, is publicly trying to present his organization’s position as a voice of reason in the debate on genetically altered food.
This is hardly accurate, as he has labeled anyone who raises concerns about food safety or the long-term impact of genetically modified organisms as being fear mongers. This label lowers the level of discussion and hardly fits people like David Suzuki and other respected scientists who have serious reservations about biotech companies “go fast” approach.
Aside from questions of safety, Mr. Douglas seems to miss the point that we farmers now have a real opportunity to supply our customers with what they want.
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Rightly or wrongly, consumers the world over are increasing their demand for non-GMO food. The demand for organic food is increasing in the U.S. alone by 30 percent per year.
The first rule of business is that the customer is always right. It makes little sense to try forcing the Europeans and others into accepting a product they don’t want.
From a strictly business point of view, does it matter to we producers what the basis is for their buying preferences? Ultimately it will be these customers who will decide where we go on this issue. The very least we should do in Canada is label products containing GMOs, so the public has a choice….
High production has not translated into profitability for many Saskatchewan farmers. We have already lost some of our overseas customers for canola because of our use of genetically modified canola seed. The same is likely to happen to our wheat customers once GMO wheat is developed and widely adopted….
We don’t need to take our land out of production to force up prices. By refusing the high chemical input and biotech treadmill, we farmers can regain some measure of control on our costs, operate profitably and get out of the stranglehold of the cheap food policy that is putting so many of us off the land.
– Doug Bone,
Elrose, Sask.
