Eight hundred Canadian
organic farmers of canola sued Monsanto and Aventis in January 2002
for introducing genetically modified canola into the environment.
The members of the Saskatchewan Organic Directorate (www.saskorganic.com)
said that since GMOs are disallowed in organic crops, the presence
of the GMOs created by these companies makes it impossible for them
to farm organic canola.
"Because of the extensive GM contamination of canola by genes
introduced into the environment by the defendants, few, if any,
certified organic grain growers in Saskatchewan will include canola
in their crop rotations and risk contamination," the statement
of claim filed in Saskatchewan court said.
A spokesperson for Monsanto said that 80 percent of canola farmers
in Western Canada choose to grow at least some GMO canola. Canola
is a crop known to cross-pollinate very easily. CropChoice News
(www.cropchoice.com) said
that in many areas of Canada the herbicide-resistant GMO canola
is becoming somewhat of a nuisance weed.
The farmers are seeking unspecified monetary damages in the millions
of Canadian dollars as well as an injunction preventing the introduction
of transgenic wheat to Canada.
Also see: The
Rape of the Rapeseed
