CBC's The National
Thursday, June 27, 2002

PETER MANSBRIDGE: And there are more problems in the fields. This time in the canola fields. A new study says the genetically modified organisms are getting deeper into our food chain and we may not be able to get them out. Kelly Crowe reports.

KELLY CROWE (Reporter): It's official confirmation of something canola farmers already know, that genetically modified canola is popping up where it wasn't planted and where it isn't wanted. An Agriculture Canada study suggests the problem is in the seeds. More than half of the seed samples tested showed some level of genetically modified material. The study's authors conclude that means almost every canola field sown with conventional seed will contain some genetically modified plants. The University of Manitoba is duplicating the study on these test fields and researchers expect to find the same thing, genetically modified canola among conventional seed because of pollen or accidental seed mixing.

RENE VAN ACKER (University of Manitoba): I think it's very significant. I also think it's a formal recognition of the fact that, you know, genetic pollution does happen.

CROWE: For farmers it means adding a second kind of herbicide to their regular spraying to kill the plants that have been genetically modified to resist their regular herbicide. For organic growers like Marc Loiselle, it's a serious problem.

MARC LOISELLE (Organic Agriculture Protection Fund): And any contamination seed stocked with genetically engineered crops is too much for organic production.

CROWE: Loiselle is trying to launch a class action suit against the companies that make GM canola. It's because of his legal challenge, the study was released.

Earlier this year, CBC's Country Canada used the Access to Information law to get this copy of the study with much of it blanked out. It was only after lawyers applied to see the whole study that Agriculture Canada made it available.

LOISELLE: It was obvious that some of the conclusions and the figures involved etcetera were being withheld. CROWE: The Canadian Seed Growers Association helped to pay for the study. They say it wasn't released because it isn't finished and they say it doesn't identify any serious problems.

DALE ADOLPHE (Cdn. Seed Growers Assn.): These products have all gone through environmental assessment that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, it's not an environmental issue. It's a market issue for the organic growers.

CROWE: Federal regulators say it's too early to say what his research means, if anything. But the organic growers say it's a warning about potential problems with future crops like GM wheat which is about to be submitted for federal approval.

Kelly Crowe, CBC News, Toronto.