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
