STRAY pollen and seed from genetically modified oilseed rape, or canola, is
now so widespread in Canada that it is difficult to grow conventional or organic
strains without them being contaminated.
That is the stark message from Hugh Beckie of the agriculture ministry’s
Saskatoon Research Center, which has been monitoring GM crops since commercial
farming began six years ago. Canada’s experience provides valuable lessons for
other parts of the world, such as Europe, that don’t yet allow commercial
production. It suggests that GM and non-GM varieties of some crops might have to
be kept far apart or even grown in…
