On April 9, the Comox Valley Organic Collective, GE Watch Comox Valley, Council of Canadians Comox Valley, and the Comox Valley Growers and Seed Savers join farmers and consumers across Canada for a Day of Action to stop the release of genetically modified (GMO) alfalfa.
Forage Genetics International has applied Monsanto's genetically modified Roundup Ready technology to alfalfa. Canadian regulatory authorities approved GM alfalfa for health and environmental release in 2005.
There is one more step that must be completed before GM alfalfa is commercially released in Canada — variety registration under the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency (CFIA). This step could be completed as early as this spring.
The call to action asks farmers and consumers contact local politicians. Letters can be sent to MP John Duncan and Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz on April 9. An impromptu letter-writing group will meet at Zocalo at noon to help people craft their letters. The meeting is open to all residents.
Carmen Wakeling, owner of Eatmore Sprouts in Courtenay, recently wrote that a huge concern for her company specifically, was the threat of contamination of the organic alfalfa seed supply.
For more information, contact Linda Cheu at lindacheu@hotmail.com.
— Comox Valley Organic Collective