Just say no to GM wheat!

[shaney]

Cotton,
I understand your anger over the flax issue but you are trying to make it sound like this was the intention all along.

In regards to wheat, it is very clear that our current system is not set up for GM wheat. If Canada was to go with GM wheat it would take some time to ensure the proper systems and infrastructure were in place.

I think GM wheat will happen if there is a focus on traits like drought tolerance, fusarium resistance or a stepped change in yield. I do not think that GM wheat will happen under the preessure for RR tolerance.

[charliep]

I would note from that most Canadian organizations are not opposed to doing biotech research (listen to Shaun's interview link above with the CWB - thanks for posting). What is at issue is the market acceptance and from there market access.

No one wants to be on the bleeding edge of technology of breeding issues like transgenics. Having said, I don't think any one wants to be too far behind if there is acceptance. I note if you get beyond transgenics, Europe has a very active and progressive biotech breeding programs. On the transgenics front, I will bet money that if there is acceptance in the EU, there would be European transgenics varieties on the seen within a year.

The issue on plant breeding in Canada is and will continue to be interesting. Don't want to go there - enough controversy already in the threads.

I appreciate malleefarmer and ianbens participation. They can forward the different models in both Australia and Europe.

A place to watch is China and rice. Delayed on the decision on commericialization but full bore ahead (read funded) on research.

[charliep]

China is transgenic rice by the way.

[bucket]

shaney

Pretty hard not to believe the trffid issue wasn't intentional when the seed growers had close to a decade to solve the problem and farmers get less than 3 months to find seed for next year.

Was it a scam - I am beginning to think so. I know people that have grown Bethune flax for 4 years and kept it on land that never had flax and its showing up. No sense to it all. And the testing takes forever.

[oneoff]

The credibility of the present system is zero and deserves to remain there. I have seen no attempt at giving any chance of input from the sector of farmers that are shouldering the entire brunt of what must be a whole series of blunders.
We are still set up for repeats of history; as the seed development and monopoly growers complete their control plans for the world seed supplies.

[oneoff]

Isn't it convenient that the CWB has ready made postcards (I think he said with prepaid postage) so we can side with the CWB on any given issue. There's no need to think; just put your X at the bottom somewhere. Talk about needing to be spoonfed. Its no wonder that after long term exposure to this practice; that most people don't even attempt to even express their own thoughts.
For this reason I suggest it is wise to wean from spoonfeeding at the earliest age possible.

[shaney]

Saying that Triffid flax was intentional is completely
false. What purpose would that serve? Who is
benefitting from this Triffid flax issue besides the
GM testing lab.

Farmers must buy certified seed, breeding
programs are scrambling to ensure pure lines,
growers are now under further testing and costs
and the industry has export issues. May I ask in
your conspiracy theory who exactly is benefiting
from this? Do you honestly think that the seed
industry or anyone else would tank the flax market
to sell certified flax for one year? Sorry I think that
most people do not buy into your accusations and
realize that it is nothing but an inflammatory finger
pointing remark.

[gregpet]

We only have to buy certified seed for one year Shaney?

[checking]

Bucket.

I think you must have struck a chord with the guy that didn't have any time to spend with the peasants on the other thread.

Shaney.

What I suggest you do is send a boat load of certified flax seed to the EU, and let them tell the Canadian farming peasants if your seed propagating society passes mustard? Until then, I have no confidence that your group's seed is any better than my own.

[checking]

OH!, oh!, said mustard - don't want to go there. Correction - muster.

Does anyone find it amazing that the EU testers can find things before the guardians of our seed supply?