Conventional rape seed (canola) from Canada sold by Advanta has become contaminated with Monsanto Roundup Ready Rape. The contamination happened by cross-pollination to a batch of conventional hybrid rapeseed sold as Hyola 38, Hyola 330 and Hyola 401. The GM variety is Monsanto's RT73 (also known as GT73) and resistant to Monsanto's weedkiller 'Roundup'.
The contamination seems to have occurred 'in the field' in Alberta, Canada over a distance of at least 800 metres. In one report in the Times, Advanta is claiming there was a larger separation distance between their rape and the GM rape of between 1.4km and 4 km. Current field trials in the UK require a separation distance of only 200m from other crops. Advanta have now moved their seed production to Montana and New Zealand to ensure GM-free purity.
GM Rapeseed contamination scandal
Publication date:
30 May, 2001
Article tagged as: agriculture, contamination, genetic engineering, GM crops, reports
