CSTA: Coexistence Plan for Alfalfa Hay in Western Canada now available.

[joedales]

Coexistence Plan for Alfalfa Hay in Western Canada now available.

Canadian Seed Trade Association News

Ottawa: April 29, 2016 – Following extensive consultation with stakeholders along the alfalfa hay production chain in Western Canada, a Coexistence Plan for Alfalfa Hay in Western Canada is now available.

Recognizing that GM development of alfalfa and other crop kinds will continue, the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) agreed to facilitate a value chain process to develop a coexistence plan for conventional, organic and GM alfalfa production, first in Eastern Canada in 2013, and now in Western Canada.

Many experts contributed to the development of the Western coexistence plan and voluntary Best Management Practices (BMP’s), including forage specialists, alfalfa producers, seed companies and honey producers. The group reviewed the biology of alfalfa in Canada and alfalfa hay production systems, and tailored the BMP’s to the specific needs of Western Canada. The plan does not advocate for or against the commercialization of GM alfalfa, or favor any one system. The result is a science-based document designed to help farmers understand and incorporate the voluntary BMP’s into their crop management system, whether conventional, organic or GM.

“CSTA is happy to have facilitated this meaningful stakeholder process,” said Scott Horner, CSTA president. “With stakeholder cooperation, solutions to help producers be successful with the system that best fits their needs can be found. We encourage everyone to view the Plan as an important component of successful alfalfa hay production in Western Canada.”

The Coexistence Plan for Alfalfa Hay in Western Canada, containing background on alfalfa production systems in Western Canada, the principles of coexistence, and Best Management Practices can be found at [URL="http://www.cdnseed.org"]http://www.cdnseed.org[/URL].

[wilagro]

In other words...Monsanto and all the other GMO alfalfa producers have WON and the conventional alfalfa producers will be faced with GMO traits showing up in their varieties.
Another cop-out, sell-out screw the farmer plan. There is no end to this BS.

[Guest]

yea i don't understand who wants this shit ? certainly not alfalfa seed buyers ? at the risk of being called an idiot by some on here , can't call it a super weed , but it sure is gonna be a bitch of a weed ! we grow seed alfalfa , I sure don't want it and it will limit our market opportunities . next thing rammed down our throat will be rr flax . don't know why they can't leave some shit alone ????

[hobbyfrmr]

This is bad. Coexistence untill a deer walks across a rr alfalfa field into a non gmo field. Good bye purity forever. Its all about controlling the farmer and making them pay for the technology. Plus, this will put a severe dent in demand for hay from western Canada.
When I started organic farming the OCIA Canada group was vehemently against RR canola. I was too ignorant to understand their reasoning. Every year it becomes more clear. Industry will impose/"accidentally" release their technology on the farmers and they will pay for all of it. Canola, alfalfa, soybeans, corn. Wheat is next , pulses, then oats.
Look how well it is going for Canola. That is some sweet return on investment. The benefits are efficient profitable production of high volumes of canola that feeds the world. AND the risk is all on the farmer. Thats pretty sweet. Just ask Input Capital Corp.

[grefer]

This is bad. Coexistence untill a deer walks across a rr alfalfa field into a non gmo field. Good bye purity forever. Its all about controlling the farmer and making them pay for the technology. Plus, this will put a severe dent in demand for hay from western Canada.
When I started organic farming the OCIA Canada group was vehemently against RR canola. I was too ignorant to understand their reasoning. Every year it becomes more clear. Industry will impose/"accidentally" release their technology on the farmers and they will pay for all of it. Canola, alfalfa, soybeans, corn. Wheat is next , pulses, then oats.
Look how well it is going for Canola. That is some sweet return on investment. The benefits are efficient profitable production of high volumes of canola that feeds the world. AND the risk is all on the farmer. Thats pretty sweet. Just ask Input Capital Corp.

Could someone explain to me where the big push is from to get RR ALFALFA onto the market. I haven't read of anyone upset because it's not available yet or talked to a producer who can't feed the world with his non RR Alfalfa variety. Surely it can't be seed and/or chemical companies forcing their agenda on the rest of us while our elected representives in government have their heads up their butt. Just saying. If you don't enjoy paying the big dollars for Canola seed then you really aren't going to like the future let alone all the new weeds(volunteers) you will have to deal with. As hobby said. This is bad.