BACKGROUND ON GMO CORN IN CANADA:
I was asked:
“have you heard of “prairie fresh corn”? … I am wondering if its also genetically modified but can’t find anything online? Do you know where to find info on all the new corn strains?”
REPLY:
Go to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
GMO crops are referred to as plants with “novel traits”.
Enter “corn” and you’ll get a listing of the GMO (“novel traits”) corn.
For example, “Smartstax” corn, approved in 2009:
Once in the data base, I entered “smartstax” and found:
Monsanto Canada Inc. and Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc.‘s combined trait corn product containing events MON 89034, TC 1507, MON 88017 and DAS-59122-7
Summary of the decision dated July 17, 2009:
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has reviewed a joint Monsanto Canada Inc. and Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. notification of intent to release into the environment the combined trait corn product containing events MON 89034, TC 1507, MON 88017 and DAS-59122-7 planted with a 5 per cent structured non-Bt refuge. This product has been developed by stacking the events using traditional breeding methods and possesses traits of insecticidal proteins for lepidopteran and corn rootworm control. The product also has traits for tolerance to glyphosate and glufosinate-ammonium herbicides. All single events have been authorized for use in food and livestock feed and for environmental release in Canada.
The CFIA has evaluated the potential impact on and risk to the environment of using a 5 per cent structured non-Bt refuge strategy for this product, and has concluded that the use of this refuge strategy for a time-limited period poses minimal risk to the environment. Consequently, the time-limited environmental release of the combined trait corn product containing events MON 89034, TC 1507, MON 88017 and DAS-59122-7 using this refuge strategy is authorized. In addition to the implementation of the insect resistance management (IRM) requirements specific to this product, during the interim authorization, the proponents are required to conduct field evaluations of corn rootworm adaptation to this product, including monitoring of actual emergence of susceptible and resistant corn rootworm adults in the field.
The CFIA concluded that cultivation of this corn product with an appropriately designed 5 per cent structured refuge strategy is expected to be more effective in delaying the development of resistant insects than cultivation of the individual single event Bt corn products with their respective structured refuge strategies. However, continued diligence on the part of technology developers, federal and provincial government representatives, public sector researchers and growers is required to ensure the continued stewardship of Bt corn products in support of sustainable agricultural practices in the long term.
Summary of the decision dated June 9, 2011:
The CFIA has evaluated the potential impact on and risk to the environment of using a 5 per cent blended non-Bt refuge strategy for this product, and has concluded that the use of this refuge strategy for a time-limited period poses minimal risk to the environment. Consequently, the time-limited environmental release of the combined trait corn product containing events MON 89034, TC 1507, MON 88017 and DAS-59122-7 using this refuge strategy is authorized. In addition to the implementation of the IRMrequirements specific to this product and the research condition imposed by the decision from July 17, 2009, during the interim authorization the proponents are required to conduct additional field evaluations, including further research on the effect of the blended product on European corn borer.
The CFIA concluded that cultivation of this corn product with an appropriately designed 5 per cent blended refuge strategy is expected to be more effective in delaying the development of resistant insects than cultivation of the individual single event Bt corn products with their respective structured refuge strategies. However, continued diligence on the part of technology developers, federal and provincial government representatives, public sector researchers and growers is required to ensure the continued stewardship of Bt corn products in support of sustainable agricultural practices in the long term.
More information can be found on stewardship of Bt crops on the CFIA web site.
For more information, please contact the Plant Biosafety Office.