Anti-GMO alfalfa demo at St. Lawrence Market

Hundreds of Torontonians joined local farmers April 9 to demand the federal Minister of Agriculture step in to stop the release genetically modified (GM) alfalfa, that farmers say threatens their livelihoods and their ability to produce the local food consumers want

By Heather Lee –

The Day of Action to Stop GM Alfalfa was called by the National Farmers Union-Ontario. The Toronto event was hosted by The Big Carrot Natural Food Market, No More GMOs Toronto, Kids Right to Know March, Millions Against Monsanto Toronto, Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, Canadian Organic Growers Toronto and Occupy Gardens Toronto If GM alfalfa is commercially released, GM alfalfa will inevitably cross-pollinate with non-GM and organic alfalfa and threaten the livelihoods of family farmers in Ontario and across Canada.

Hundreds of Torontonians joined local farmers April 9 to demand the federal Minister of Agriculture step in to stop the release genetically modified (GM) alfalfa, that farmers say threatens their livelihoods and their ability to produce the local food consumers want. The Day of Action to Stop GM Alfalfa was called for by the National Farmers Union (NFU)-Ontario and today’s protest in Toronto was organized by The Big Carrot Natural Food Market, No More GMOs Toronto, Kids Right to Know March, Millions Against Monsanto Toronto, Canadian Organic Growers Toronto and the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network. 38 actions happened at noon today, 17 of which were in Ontario.

“The release of GM alfalfa would threaten my farm, and farms across Ontario,“ said Sarah Bakker, who raises grass-fed beef and pastured pork in Bobcaygeon outside of Toronto, and is a member of the National Farmers Union-Ontario. Alfalfa is often in a mix of grasses in pasture and hay. “GM herbicide tolerant alfalfa is useless and destructive, and needs to be stopped before it contaminates our farms.

The costs of dealing with GM alfalfa contamination would be a nightmare for Ontario farmers.” Protestors gathered outside the St. Lawrence Market in solidarity with farmers who are fighting the introduction of GM alfalfa. US company Forage Genetics International wants to release alfalfa seeds with Monsanto’s GM herbicide tolerant (Roundup Ready) technology this year, and says it will introduce GM alfalfa into Eastern Canada first. Local groups are asking Toronto Members of Parliament to take action on their behalf.

“Our customers are concerned about the impact GM alfalfa would have on our whole food system. Alfalfa is used to produce a lot of the foods we eat including milk, meat and even vegetables and grains,” said Sarah Dobec of The Big Carrot Natural Market in Toronto, “We can’t just stand by and watch big companies put our local farmers at risk.” “If farmers ask us for our help, we’re going to do everything we can to support them,” said Heather Lee of the grassroots group No More GMOs Toronto.

“We rely on our local farmers and value all the hard work it takes to make the food we eat. We refuse to accept that companies like Monsanto can make farming even harder by contaminating farmers’ fields with patented genes that no one wants.”

“We all need more control over the food we eat, but biotech companies take that away with every new GM crop,” said nutritionist, author and TV presenter Julie Daniluk who spoke at the rally. “Healthy food needs to be our priority, not corporate profits.” A full list of 38 actions is posted here.