PEI cereal growers oppose GMO ban

Canadian Press

Montague, PEI:  Cereal crop growers on Prince Edward Island are opposed to
a proposed ban on genetically modified crops in the province. The growers
say genetically modified crops should be embraced not rebuked, especially
since fewer chemicals need to be applied to those crops.

"I'm quite surprised the Premier said what he did without consulting
with our industry", soybean grower David Mol of the Hunter River area
said. "We had no clue he was coming out with such an opinion."

Premier Pat Binns said recently that he is prepared to explore the
potential of declaring the province a zone free of genetically modified
organisms. About 2,400 hectares of genetically modified soybeans and corn
were planted in PEI last summer. They had been made able to resist bugs and
disease without the need of constant chemical use.

That kind of technology should be trumpeted by environmentalists, said Mr.
Mol, a member of the Canadian Seed Growers Association and chairman of the
province's Grain and Protein Council. "I don't understand why the
benefits of such technology is being dumped on rather than praised."

Mr. Binns said he believed a majority of farmers favoured a GMO-free zone
as a way to secure a marketing advantage with customers opposed to modified
foods.
The Premier said that the organic industry is growing 30 per cent a year
and that the province could take advantage of that. He also noted, however,
that he had yet to hear from both sides of the issue.

"He has now", Mr. Mol said. "We've been in touch and we
expect to lobby through our associate organizations to alter this
plan."

Genetically modified food has been touted as either cutting-edge technology
or genetic pollution, but the Premier's point of view is heartily endorsed
by the National Farmers Union and organic growers such as Reg Phelan.
"We're a perfect spot to go GMO-free", said Mr. Phelan, a
vegetable grower near Morell and a member of an organic growers
co-operative."We're an island and that could easily work to our
advantage. I support the Premier on investigating the potential of going
GMO-free. I think many conventional farmers would see the advantage in the
long run."

A cereal crop grower who didn't want to be identified said his chemical
bill has dropped to $10 an acre from $60 since he began using genetically
modified crops. "It costs more to buy the seed, of course, but with
such a reduction in chemical usage and less threat to our water supply, I
don't understand why GMO is not being welcomed", he said.


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