Gene-AlteredCanola Pollen Can Spread to Other Fields

June28, 2002

By JILL CARROLL
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL


WASHINGTON -- A new study has shown that the pollen of genetically modifiedcanola can spread over wide areas into neighboring fields. That study, togetherwith other recent reports of similar cross-pollination, have farmers concernedabout possible legal fallout.

As researchers develop more genetically altered crops, the threat grows of majorlawsuits from growers who don't want the genetically modified crops mixing withtheir crops.

The biotechnology industry has already experienced one crop-contaminationfiasco. In 2000, StarLink, a genetically modified corn that contained apesticide and was not approved for human consumption, was found processed intotaco shells and other products. The discovery resulted in sweeping recalls andlawsuits from farmers and grain elevators. StarLink's maker, Aventis CropScience,now a unit of Bayer AG, has set aside Ä100 million ($98.2 million) to coverlosses by farmers and food companies.

Genetically modified crops contain genes designed to make them better forfarmers, such as genes that allow plants to survive when sprayed with aweedkiller. All genetically altered crop seed in the U.S. has to be approved bythe U.S. Agriculture Department before being sold.

Various control measures are put in place when the seeds are being tested, butthe USDA places no such requirements on the crops once they are approved. Thenew studies, however, could put pressure on the USDA to make sure thoserequirements are adequate. A USDA spokeswoman said it had not reviewed thestudies, but added that new science "is helpful."

In one of the reports, Australian researchers found that pollen from a canolaplant bred to be herbicide-resistant could travel nearly two miles away, borneby wind and insects. It is one of the first studies to look at large,commercial-size fields, rather than smaller test plots. The finding, publishedin Friday's issue of Science, follows a Canadian study on canola released thisweek that found several varieties of so-called clean canola seeds contained somegenetically modified material, and blamed the breeder seeds they came from.

The European Union also recently put out a paper showing that geneticallymodified canola is at "high risk" of cross-pollinating with othercanola crops.

In the Australian study, about 63% of the fields tested turned up some plantswith modified genes, but the highest rate of modified plants in nonmodifiedfields was only 0.2%. In the Canadian study, the government said it still feltit would be relatively easy to produce organic canola, despite the mixing ofcanola found.

But organic farmers say that the screening tests their customers use to detectgenes are so sensitive that they will pick up even tiny amounts.

Farmer groups say they are concerned they could get sued if their geneticallyaltered crops drift into a field of unmodified crops.

In Canada, a group of organic farmers filed a class-action suit against MonsantoCo., of St. Louis, and Aventis CropScience, claiming their genetically alteredcanola products drifted into their fields, causing them to lose millions ofdollars. The farmers in that case, the Saskatchewan Organic Directorate, saidthe recent Canadian canola study is essential to their case.

Aventis declined to comment. A Monsanto spokesman said the Australian studyshows that "different forms of agriculture can coexist."

Such a lawsuit in the U.S. "would have huge nationwide implications,"said Joe Logan, a member of the National Farmers Union. "We feel definitelythe liability needs to be with the corporations."

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D., Ohio) has proposed legislation to place liability onthe companies if the seeds are used properly but something still goes wrong.With time running out on the legislative session, the bill isn't expected to getfar this session, but could be re-introduced next year.

The Biotechnology Industry Organization says that there are no liability riskswith the crops, but that those opposed to them are trying to pretend there are.

"If there is any [damage done] it is self-inflicted damage by the organicgrowers," said Val Giddings, the trade group's vice president for food andagriculture