Corn and potato crops, by comparison, need only be one kilometre apart. Selling agricultural commodities into the European Union is already becoming more difficult, as the EU develops more sensitive testing to keep out most genetically modified crops. People are often told genetically altered crops are safe because of the government's stringent regulations, but the government is not an independent third party, she said. Stewart Wells, NFU Saskatchewan Coordinator and organic farmer from Swift Current, says it may soon become impossible to certify canola as organic because no one will be able to guarantee that it does not contain genetically-engineered seeds. If this continues, once wheat, barley, lentils and other crops are genetically-engineered, I won't have anything left to grow.
Genetic pollution affects non-organic farmers as well.
Canadian farmers have already lost markets in Europe for canola because genetic pollution makes it nearly impossible for them to ensure European consumers that Canadian canola is GMO-free. The loss of the European market will have a significant cost to all farmers. Monsanto and other companies who engineer these crops reap the profits of their work. Companies who make GMOs have admitted that their products cross-pollinate in the environment in an uncontrollable fashion. The NFU has talked to several MPs about this pressing issue, communicated its concerns to the federal Minister of Agriculture, and is exploring the possibility of a private members' bill.