Canadian farmer: "Coexistence is not possible."
08.06.2006
The Canadian farmer Percy Schmeiser was sued by the agricultural company Monsanto for illegaly using genetically manipulated rapeseed. Schmeiser fights back by claiming that pollen of bordering fields contaminated his fields.
foodwatch: Since
when do Canadian farmers grow genetically manipulated seed and how popular is
it?
Schmeiser: The regulatory approval was given for the introduction
of genetically manipulated organisms (GMOs) in Canada
in 1996. There were two crops: Canola (rapeseed) and soybeans. In the United States
at the same time there was corn (maize) and cotton. In Canada
now there is no pure rapeseed left. It is all now contaminated with GMOs and
the same with soybeans. It's very difficult to say how many hectares have been
actually seeded with GMOs, but as mentioned, the actual production of all rapeseed
has some GMOs in it. There is no such thing as co-existence or containment as
we have found out.
foodwatch: What are the benefits for farmers growing genetically manipulated seed?
Schmeiser: There’s
no benefit at all. Because our rapeseed is
contaminated with GMOs the economic effect has been disastrous for farmers, as
we can no longer sell rapeseed to many countries in the world. The price of
rapeseed has dropped almost in half. Countries like Australia
that have not permitted GMO rapeseed are now receiving a premium for their
rapeseed. In addition to this, organic
farmers and conventional farmers can no longer grow organic soybeans or
rapeseed in Canada, taking choice away and limiting the crops they can grow organically.
foodwatch: How
are consumers being informed about products containing genetically manipulated
organisms and are they concerned about this?
Schmeiser: We have no labeling of food in Canada,
and the Canadian people are demanding from our government that we should have
labeling so that people know what they are eating, and what they are feeding to
their children. People are very concerned about the introduction of GMOs and
the effects on human health and the environment. This is why in the last ten
years there has been no new GMO seeds or plants introduced.
foodwatch: The
European Union is promoting the concept of "co-existence" between farmers who do
use genetically manipulated seed and those who do not. Would you think this
concept is realistic judging from your own experience?
Schmeiser: As previously mentioned there is no such thing as
co-existence or containment. The GMO gene is a dominant gene and will render
whatever species of seeds or plants it gets into. You cannot contain
cross-pollination. Pollination does not only blow in the wind, but can also
move by other means such as birds, bees, animals, or direct seed movement by
blowing in the wind, transportation, floods, and many other ways. You cannot
build a wall high enough to contain it. So again, there is no such thing as
containment regardless of how many kilometers a field of GMOs is from another
field, which means there is absolutely no such thing as co-existence. Once GMOs
are introduced, it is over and as far as we know today, there is no coming
back.
foodwatch: What
are the experiences of Canadian farmers with genetically manipulated seed and
the companies that are providing these GMOs?
Schmeiser: The other important issue is the control of farmers in
regards to the use of their own seed, both in planting and in harvesting. The
contracts with farmers, the policy of companies to try and encourage farmers to
inform on one another, letters (farmers call these extortion letters) sent to
farmer by Monsanto, and demanding money are ways that Monsanto tries to control
and take the rights of people away. In the letters that are sent to farmers by
Monsanto, Monsanto states that farmers are not allowed to show these letters to
anyone. If the farmer does not obey this, Monsanto threatens to fine the
farmer. By doing so, Monsanto has taken away a farmer's freedom of speech and
expression away.
Monsanto has its own hired investigators (former RCMP
officers) to investigate farmers, who will trespass into farmers fields,
granaries (or silos) without permission in order to check on farmers. Farmers
call Monsanto’s investigators in Canada
"gene police".
When GMOs were first introduced in Canada,
there was very little information concerning what the effects would be and many
people only listened to what corporations like Monsanto stated. In a few years
it was found that what Monsanto had said about increased yields, more
nutritious produce, and less chemical use turned out to be completely the
opposite. What it really meant was control of the seed supply and more sales of
chemicals by the company. Many of the farm organizations, including the
National Farmers Union of Canada, are working hard against any further introduction
of GMOs.
foodwatch: Who
benefits most from the increasing use of genetically manipulated seed? Farmers? The
environment? Consumers?
Schmeiser: The introduction of GMOs has had numerous disastrous
effects such as damages to the environment (loss of indigenous and pure seeds),
the ill effects on human health by the consumption of GMOs, such as allergens
and weaker immune systems. GMO genes are also a blood disrupter that causes
tumors especially in the organs of growing young people.
foodwatch: What
do you think, how will genetically manipulated seed and food products be spread throughout
the European Union?
Schmeiser: If GMOs are introduced into Europe, the same thing will
happen to the various countries as what has happened to us in Canada.
As mentioned, farmers rights to use and develop their own seeds are taken away,
the right freedom of speech and expression is limited, and the result is total
control by a corporation of the seeds and food supply. Chemical use is
increased, causing damage to the environment and human health.
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