The newly approved GE corn is unique in that it stacks eight
differentGE traits - for herbicide-tolerance (Roundup and
glufosinate) andinsect-resistance (Bt) - together, traits that have
already beenindividually approved and are available on the market.
The new GE cornwas developed through a research agreement between
Monsanto and DowAgroSciences.
Normally, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
publishes'Decision Documents' that summarize approval decisions,
but there is nosuch summary of the decision to approve 'SmartStax'.
"You'd think thata combination of eight GE traits would trigger an
environmentalassessment but the CFIA has no public record of their
evaluation. Thisseems to confirm that the corn by-passed existing
scientific assessmentprocesses that have already been judged
insufficient by the 2001 RoyalSociety of Canada Panel," said Lucy
Sharratt, Coordinator of CanadianBiotechnology Action Network. The
CFIA failed to explain their decisionnot to require environmental
risk assessments for 'SmartStax'.
The CFIA also failed to provide a rationale for their decision
toreduce environmental stewardship requirements. In approving this
corn,the CFIA substantially reduced the actions that farmers are
required totake towards the goal of delaying the evolution of
insect resistance topesticides like Bt. (1) The CFIA has reduced
the refuge arearequirements from 20% to 5% for growing 'SmartStax'
corn. Farmers whogrow GE insect resistant (Bt) corn are required to
set aside a 20%refuge areas within one-quarter mile of any Bt
field. The refuge is anarea planted with non-Bt corn in order to
delay the evolution of insectresistance to Bt. "Not only has CFIA
failed to evaluate theenvironmental risks of this eight-trait GE
corn, it has alsodramatically reduced one of its only environmental
requirements in thefield," said Sharratt.
"Insect resistance is inevitable, it's just a matter of time and
thereduction of refuge for this new GE corn will simply speed
thisevolution," said Éric Darier, an Agriculture campaigner for
GreenpeaceCanada.
The CFIA has stated that it will review its decision to cut the
refugearea in 2013 based on information provided by Monsanto and
Dow. "It'salso extremely disturbing to learn that the CFIA is
relying on Monsantoand Dow to monitor the success or failure of
reduced environmentalstewardship. It's like putting the wolf in
charge of the sheep'swelfare", said Darier.
"We're concerned that the CFIA is abandoning refuges because
theyforesee Bt is already on the verge of resistance," said
MaureenBostock, an organic farmer from Balderson Ontario and Board
Member ofthe Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario. Topical
applications ofBt, a beneficial microorganism, to insect pests on
horticultural cropsis a common practice for organic farmers.
"Organic farmers have warnedsince the beginning that we could loose
this useful tool if insectresistance was to build up. What's the
CFIA's basis for reducing therefuge area? Surely our government has
considered the consequences forfarmers over the long term?" asked
Bostock.
The CFIA and the US Department of Agriculture approved
'SmartStax' atthe same time and both agreed to the newly reduced
refuge areas. "Thesynchronized approval of this GE corn by the
Canadian and USgovernments is a dangerous sign of increased
harmonization above anyother environmental or social
considerations," concluded Stuart Trew,trade campaigner at the
Council of Canadians.
For more information: Lucy Sharratt, Canadian
BiotechnologyAction Network 613 241 2267 ext. 6; Éric Darier,
Greenpeace, Cell. 514605-6497; Maureen Bostock, Ecological Farmers
Association of Ontario,613-259-5757; Stuart Trew, Council of
Canadians, cell 647-222-9782.
Notes:
(1) Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) is a naturally occurring soil
borneorganism that can be used topically by organic farmers to
controlpests. The genes from Bt have been genetically engineered
into corn tomake the plant act as a pesticide. Because insects
evolve quickly, theyare expected to develop resistance to Bt,
making this pest controloption useless.