FARMERS MAY CUT GM CANOLA ACREAGE
April 24, 2000
Winnipeg Free Press
A10
Helen Fallding, Regional Reporter

BRANDON -- Canola farmers nervous about consumer aversion to
genetically altered food may, according to this story, seed slightly more
land with conventional varieties this year, but they are not abandoning the
new technology.

Wheat City Seeds sales manager Wayne Dobbie was cited as saying he expects
sales of genetically modified (GM) canola seed to drop this spring by less
than 10 per cent, adding, "That's probably been the biggest issue I've discussed
with producers throughout Manitoba."

The story says that the number of hectares planted with GM canola has shot
up since the seed was first commercially available in 1996. Last year, about
55 per cent of canola grown in Western Canada was genetically altered.
Dobbie was further cited as saying that farmers are satisfied that
biotechnology is safe, but they don't know which way public opinion will
swing next, so they are reluctant to invest more heavily in GM production,
adding, "The industry has recognized that we cannot turn around fast enough
to switch completely back to conventional cropping."

Dauphin farmer Ernie Sirski, president of the Manitoba Canola Growers
Association, was cited as saying he to seed more than half his canola
hectares with GM varieties this spring and that the technology is a
boon for zero-tillage farmers who have extra problems with weed
control.

Sirski added that he checked with seed sales representatives recently to
find out how many farmers are buying GM canola seed, stating,  "The read I'm
getting is that it's probably going to hold steady. It's a technology that
works well on their farms and they're prepared to use it."