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Canada


Farmers were early adopters of agriculture biotechnology in Canada and have reaped more than US$800 million in added net farm income from biotech canola, soybeans and corn between 1996-2004.  Plantings of genetically modified (GM) crops have increased rapidly for a decade, and Canadian farmers are now generating US$2.0 billion in annual sales of these crops to processors and consumers.  Canada is one of the largest producers of canola — an oilseed used predominately as a food ingredient.  The use of biotech canola seeds in Canada has reduced pesticide applications by 10.5 million pounds (4.8 million kg) and the associated ‘environmental footprint’ by 20.7 percent.
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Grower Profiles


Fred Meister
In 2007, the national adoption rate for biotech canola reached 87 percent in Canada. Farmer Fred Meister plants 100 percent of his canola acreage to GM varieties due to the significant on-farm benefits of agriculture biotechnology in Canada — including higher yields, fewer herbicide applications, and reduced tillage.
Length: 2:22
Jeff Hoiness
The adoption of GM canola in Canada between 1996 and 2004 reduced the associated "environmental footprint" or environmental impact of pesticides by 20.7 percent. Canola farmer Jeff Hoiness — who has grown GM canola for more than 10 years — discusses the environmental benefits he has realized by growing GM crops, as well as shares his perspective on foreign markets and the future of agriculture biotechnology in Canada.
Length: 2:15
Art Enns
The use of biotech canola seeds in Canada reduced pesticides applications by 10.5 million pounds (4.8 million kg) between 1996 and 2004.  Art Enns, a soybean and canola grower, describes how agriculture biotechnology in Canada has enabled him to reduce pesticide applications and more efficiently control weeds — preserving his land and the future of farming for future generations.
Length: 2:27
Lorne Hamblin
Canadian farmers reaped more than US$800 million in added net farm income from biotech canola, soybeans and corn between 1996 and 2004.  Since initially planting biotech crops in 1998, soybean and canola farmer Lorne Hamblin describes how agriculture biotechnology in Canada has provided him with more management choices — resulting in improved yields, greater income and a more promising future.
Length: 1:35

Video Transcripts



Art Enns
We have a very short growing season over here.And we don't have the luxury of having a long time frame to seed, a long time frame to spray, or a long time frame to harvest.Everything is maximized to the hour — not to the day. … We just came off a year, which we basically had no summer, and yet some of the biotechnology crops that we were growing were able to mature despite the growing season being short. … And it was amazing these crops were able to make it.

Jeff Hoiness
For me, I break it down to the basics in the fact that I'm improving the structure of my soil with zero tillage. I'm using less pesticides. ... It's better for the environment. We have less soil erosion than we did in the past. … We've increased the wildlife habitat. ...
... We're using less fuel per acre. … so that means less greenhouse gas emissions. ... The things that I'm doing on our farm … with the biotechnology are a benefit to all of society. ... You know, there's a lot of positive aspects to the things that biotechnology have led to ...
… the renewable fuels, the pharmaceutical, the specialty oils with respect to canola, the increased awareness of health-related issues. ... Most of it has to do with the biotechnology.

Lorne Hamblin
What biotech, I think, does for the next generation is gonna sustain the farmer and probably make them viable. … The only thing that has saved us is yield.Well I don't think yield's gonna save us for the next 20 years.Biotech's gonna save us. … It's been a great farm tool for farmers in this area. … And I think we're only at the tip of the iceberg.

© 2007 Monsanto Company.All rights reserved.The copyright holder consents to the use of this material and the images in the published context only and solely for the purpose of promoting the benefits of agricultural biotechnology.