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Canadian farmer criticizes GM wheat, Monsanto at conference
(Friday, Jan. 10, 2003 -- CropChoice news) -- Edmonton Journal via Agnet: Percy Schmeiser, a Saskatchewan farmer battling the agri-chemical
conglomerate Monsanto over genetically engineered canola, was cited as
saying at an event organized by an Edmonton group called Biofreedom on
Thursday that the company's plans to release genetically modified wheat will
destroy conventional farming completely by lowerering production, increasing
chemical use and devastating sales to overseas markets.
Schmeiser said before his talk that a recent 100-page report from millers
and consumers around the world said they would cease buying North American
wheat if producers start growing the new Monsanto product.
The story says that Biofreedom, a group that formed in Edmonton last year,
hosted Schmeiser as part of their effort to spread awareness about problems
with genetically modified organisms.
Matthew Block, a founding member of the group which aims to educate and
advocate on behalf of consumers, was quoted as saying, "Lots of people don't
really know why they should be concerned or why they should do anything
about it."
Linda Deary, another member, was quoted as saying, "In a lot of countries
people are more aware of genetically engineered crops. In Canada, there
isn't a high level of awareness. So Canadians really are the guinea pigs of
the corporate world, and the Canadian government is enabling this."
Block was cited as saying that a study done a few years ago on genetically
modified potatoes by scientist Arpad Puztai, showed that rats fed the
potatoes developed problems with metabolism, immune system function and
organ development. Puztai was fired by his employers after he released the
results at a press conference before publishing them.
Schmeiser was quoted as saying, "Europeans look at food in a different way
than North Americans. Food is a culture to them, and they want good food and
safe food." Resistance to genetically engineered crops is growing, said
Schmeiser, who travelled to 40 countries last year to talk about the
modified crops and his troubles with Monsanto.
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