Canadian Wheat Board resists GM wheat collaboration

The Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) will not support GM wheat until certain conditions are met

This follows after grain grower bodies in the US, Canada and Australia agreed to and signed a joint statement to coordinate the research and introduction of GM wheat into the market.

CWB spokesperson Maureen Fitzhenry said strong consumer resistance to GM wheat and unresolved issues about segregation of GM and non-GM wheat currently limit the viability of its commercialisation.

She said CWB is not against GM but the timing is not right, and they are hoping for enough recognition of the remaining major obstacles.

Fitzhenry said GM wheat with resistant traits is good, but the CWB would want to see added benefits such as tolerance to disease and greater consumer acceptance before it would support bring GM traits to market.

She added that the CWB is actively working to gain greater consumer acceptance of GM wheat, and to develop more tolerance about separation of GM and non-GM wheat.