CorpWatch.org | April-May, 2002
In a rerun of the 2000 Aventis 'Starlink' contamination scandal, it emerged in mid April that large amounts of oil seed rape (canola) currently on sale in the US may be contaminated with low levels of an unapproved Monsanto GM crop line. GT200 is a variety of herbicide tolerant oil seed rape that has not been cleared for commercial growing or consumption in the US. Instead of tackling the problem at source by removing GT200 contaminated products from the market, Monsanto have decided to get the legislation changed. If the contamination is no longer illegal, in their eyes it is no longer a problem. Monsanto approached the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) admitting the potential for accidental contamination of US canola seed, and requesting that the contaminated crop be declared legal. The USDA are awaiting advice from that pillar of independent scientific thinking the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The incestuous nature of the revolving door of personnel between the FDA and Monsanto is well documented elsewhere. And - surprise, surprise - recent articles in the US business press suggest that the FDA will announce their formal approval of GT200 for sale and consumption in the US.
This case illustrates the complete inability, and apparent unwillingness, of GM corporations to contain their crops once they are being grown on a commercial scale. According to the Agribusiness Examiner, Monsanto think that, 'the problem may have occurred because the company allowed the seeds to get mixed up and bred together'. The industry, aided and abetted by the regulators, is attempting to erode the idea that GM contamination is a problem.
