Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

I found this online....

 

How To Avoid Gentically Engineered Food - A Greenpeace Shoppers Guide

 

Check out Greenpeace has published a Canadian guide listing specific food products that contain GMOs. http://gmoguide.greenpeace.ca/shoppers_guide.pdf

Views: 81

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Just finished listening to an interview with Patrick Moore, ex Greenpeace scientist, that was posted on Farms.com (http://agvisiontv.farms.com/default.aspx?vid=vid_1272010153253000). He has become a poster boy for the backlash against environmentalists. Too bad he has swung too far the other way. While I agree with some of his criticisms, his arguments are simplistic. Threats from pesticides and GMOs go beyond concerns about cancer to concerns about nervous disorders, allergies, and so on.

True Greenpeace and other orgs like PETA are overly confrontational and sensationalist and end up alienating more pragmatic environmentalists. However, this guide from Greenpeace is a good indication that they are redefining themselves and engaging in practical work. It is a useful guide for people whether they are concerned about GMOs for health, ecological or ethical reasons. Whether GMOs are a real threat or not, foods containing them should be labeled. Since they are not, this guide helps people be informed. I am actually surprised by how many options there are to buy foods not containing GMOs.

Dr. Moore's support for GMOs is disappointing though. It is not unequivocal that GMOs are inherently safe. Admittedly, I am not a scientist and not up to date on all GMO related science, but there are health concerns about allergies, and the fact that GE DNA permeate the entirety of GM plants and thus are absorbed into the cells of those who consume the plants. In other words, GE DNA are persistent. This may impact the body in many unpredictable ways. Then there is the persistence in the environment which leads to resistance: Amaranthus has developed resistance to glyphosate, canola is becoming a superweed, moths may develop resistance to Bt, etc. These are real proven concerns. Of course, there is also the debate that GE is a tool for profiteering for Pharmaceutical companies. I personally don't want to make such broad accusations, but while I am sure most supporters of GE have good intentions for farmers and eaters, profiting and control may also be a driving force.

Dr. Moore talks about Golden Rice. Here is an area where I do have some knowledge as I have done research in Asian countries about traditional ag practices. Vitamin A deficiency became a problem with the Green Revolution. While the Green Rev made huge breakthroughs in increasing production of staples such as rice, in the process it destroyed very nutritionally important "uncultivated" foods. Prior to this time, farmers collected weeds and other leafy greens and even fish and frogs from rice paddies. These were significant sources of nutrition including protein and VITAMIN A. Herbicides and pesticides and fertilizers destroyed this source of food nutrition. So Golden Rice is not a solution: it treats a symptom and compounds a problem.

In term of other pesticides, again, the threat is more than just cancer but other health concerns. But there is also the toll on the environment: destroying soil life and structure which leads to erosion and pest problems, and the destroying of water quality, not just for water life, but for human use.

Of course, this discussion can go on and on, and I am not the one in a position to argue with Dr Moore as I am not a scientist, but I am not naive either.

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Key International Export Markets See Significant Agri-Food Volume Increase

Algeria, Indonesia and Morocco, three of Saskatchewan's key international markets, saw significant increases in provincial agri-food exports in 2023 over, the previous year. "The increase in exports to important international markets like Algeria, Indonesia and Morocco are yet another example of our agriculture sector's resiliency and dedication to providing reliable, high-quality agri-food products worldwide," Agriculture Minister David Marit said. "Numbers like these showcase the success we are seeing through our presence in world markets and building key relationships with our partners across the globe." Exports to Algeria had the third-highest increase in volume among Saskatchewan's top markets at 1,232,110 tonnes, or over 69 per cent. Algeria is Saskatchewan's fourth-leading market in volume with the top export commodities being durum and lentils. Indonesia's export numbers had a similar rise with an over 62 per cent increase in volume. Indonesia rose to Saskatchewan's sixth-

Supporting Research and Innovation in Agriculture with Funding for 101 New Projects

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing $16.3 million in grant funding under the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to support 101 projects under the Research and Innovation Program over the next three years, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced today. “Folks around the world are looking for more sustainable agri-food products and I know our producers can deliver,” said MacAulay. “By investing in research and innovation across the value chain, we can address current and future challenges and help make sure the sector remains resilient, competitive, and efficient.” The funding will go towards research and capacity building to accelerate innovation in agriculture in Manitoba, supporting companies that are leading innovative research and putting Manitoba at the forefront of sustainable agriculture research. “Research and innovation drives growth and economic de

Low to Moderate Risk of Significant Spring Flooding for Manitoba

Manitoba is facing just a low to moderate risk of significant spring flooding this year, according to the provincial Hydrological Forecast Centre. With normal- to below-normal soil moisture at freeze-up and well-below-normal to above-normal winter precipitation for most Manitoba basins, the March Flood Outlook report on Tuesday said the risk of significant spring flooding is low to moderate for most Manitoba basins. Water levels are expected to remain below dikes and community or individual flood protection levels. The spring flooding risk is low for the Red River and tributaries, low to moderate for the Assiniboine River and tributaries and the Interlake region including the Icelandic and Fisher rivers; and generally low for the Souris, Qu’Appelle, Rat, Roseau, Pembina, Saskatchewan and Churchill river basins, and the Whiteshell Lakes region. Most Manitoba lake levels are normal to below normal and forecasted to remain within their operating range after the spring runoff, the out

Potato planting in peril: Irish farmers face uncertain future amidst wet weather woes

In a concerning turn for the Irish potato industry, farmers across the nation are grappling with a pressing dilemma due to unrelenting rainfalls. The situation has left them in a state of uncertainty, as they question whether planting their crops this year is a feasible option, as Louise Walsh reports in a news story published on breakingnews.ie.

CPMA announces the 2024 PFP participants

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) is proud to announce 20 rising stars who will participate in the 2024 Passion for Produce (PFP) program in Vancouver.

© 2024   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service