Agriculture committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My name is Rick White. I am the general manager of the Canadian Canola Growers Association and a farmer from southeastern Saskatchewan. I want to thank you for inviting CCGA to speak to this committee on a bill of great concern to canola farmers. CCGA

Agriculture committee  I don't think I disagree that we have to be careful before we commercialize these genetically modified products, and that's what we do through the Canola Council of Canada. As an industry, in the canola industry there is an assessment made. The important distinguishing factor is

Agriculture committee  I can start on that. Just in response to your comment regarding yield increases due to biotech, what biotech has done for canola is allow the plant to grow stronger so that it can reach its natural yield capacities better than it ever has before. We are seeing yields like no oth

Agriculture committee  A good yield for canola could run around 40 to 45 bushels an acre, but we've seen yields as high as 50, 55, and moving up to 60. When you look at the national average over time, with the introduction of biotech canola, the national production per acre has gone up substantially.

Agriculture committee  Yes, under ideal conditions. With ideal conditions, I could pick a data point with GM canola that would probably push 60 bushels an acre right beside that same farmer's field.

Agriculture committee  I certainly appreciate the use of the technology. It allows me to be there. Thank you. Today I'm representing the Canadian Canola Growers Association in my role as general manager. I am also a longstanding canola grower, with our farm located in southeastern Saskatchewan. I want

Agriculture committee  I'm sorry, which Richard do you mean?

Agriculture committee  I'm sorry. I can't see everything. In response to Mr. Easter's question, I think he hinted a bit that it would be expensive. We have confidence in the system that's in place now in Canada. Adding another layer to that would add costs, and it would certainly add more time. Again,

Agriculture committee  If I might add to that, I would look at the European example, I guess, as what not to do. They have historically not had a science-based regulatory process with regard to GM material. Technologically, their farmers have, I believe, fallen way behind. They're quickly trying to cat

Agriculture committee  Right. When I think about Argentina, for example--I'm not an expert in that area, so I'll add that caveat--if they have changed their method of approvals and have moved more to market acceptance criteria over and above the scientific criteria, they won't see an immediate shutdown

Agriculture committee  Maybe I'll just follow up very quickly. We strongly believe that it is the role of the government to regulate regarding food, feed, and environmental safety. That's being done right now. It is up to the industry, because of the investment and the dollars they have invested—not o

Agriculture committee  If I could add to that, Stephen is exactly right. Just a little more information on that: a study released by the University of Saskatchewan in 2010 reported that growers found a total economic benefit of $26 per acre with $15 per acre in carry-over benefits due to savings in wee

Agriculture committee  I'm not aware of an actual diversity assessment, but diversity is not assessed on traditional breeding either. GM is no different, except there's a particular trait in there that was genetically modified. All the other genes in the plant are naturally progressing or recessing, wh

Agriculture committee  Yes. I'll just add a little bit to that and echo Jim's comments one hundred percent. We have the regulatory process right in this country. It's based on science and it needs to stay based on science. We have to maintain what I call the three-legged stool: safety assessments on fo

Agriculture committee  I don't have a specific number, sorry. All I can say is more is always better, and whatever we do have at our disposal through public research, make sure it is targeted in the right area where the industry is going so it can get commercialized and into the farmers' hands more qui