Canola/ Oilseed rape

There are eleven GE canola varieties commercially available in the US and fourteen in Canada. Most are engineered to be resistant to a specific company's own brand of herbicide. These include four varieties of Monsanto's Roundup Ready glyphosate tolerant rape, three varieties of Bayer's LibertyLink glufosinate-tolerant rape, five varieties of Bayer's InVigor-tolerant rape, one Rhone-Poulenc bromoxynil-tolerant rape and a Monsanto lauric acid-producing rape.

Like other genetically engineered crops, GE canola poses long-term risks to the environment. There are also more immediate risks, like cross contamination, the creation of herbicide resistant weeds and increased use of damaging herbicides.

Scientists have already discovered canola "superweeds." Volunteer canola plants, resistant to three different herbicides, are now found along roadsides in western Canada. More toxic chemicals must now be used to control the new weeds.

Natural biodiversity is being placed at risk by gene flow from GE canola to wild relatives; as with the herbicide-tolerant canola found in Canada, new weeds can be created when wild relatives receive novel genes that allow them a competitive advantage.

Despite the problems with the crop in Canada and the crop's rejection in certain European countries biotech giants moved their focus to Australia. However, because of widespread farmer opposition, biotech giant Monsanto announced in May 2004 that had shelved plans to introduce GE canola in Australia.

The death of the program is a very clear message to the separate Bayer GE canola program in Australia that this technology is embraced by neither markets or by consumers.


In-Depth:

Genetic Pollution - A multiplying nightmare

GE oilseed rape - Out of control in Canada