alfalfa field

Coexistence plan for GM alfalfa won’t eliminate risk

Expert says stopping the spread of the glyphosate-tolerant trait is virtually impossible, but levels can be kept ‘very, very low’

Reading Time: 3 minutes The recently released “coexistence plan” for genetically modified alfalfa in Western Canada doesn’t offer any guarantees that conventional and organic crops won’t be contaminated, says an expert on gene transfer. “It really depends on what you’re trying to achieve,” said Rene Van Acker, a professor of plant science at the University of Guelph. “If it’s […] Read more

alfalfa seed - Glen Nicoll

Farm groups say even limited sale of GM alfalfa seed poses too high a risk

Farm groups say the release will begin a ‘spiral of 
uncertainty’ for producers and their customers

Reading Time: 2 minutes Fifteen Canadian farm groups have called on the federal agriculture minister to stop the sale of genetically modified alfalfa seed in this country. In a letter to Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay, the groups state they also want variety registration removed for all GM alfalfa until a full economic impact assessment is conducted. They are also […] Read more


The planned release of a GM variety of alfalfa for commercial hay production in Eastern Canada has raised fears of contamination 
in conventional alfalfa.

Roundup Ready alfalfa primed for launch in East

But critics of GM alfalfa say U.S. experience shows that ‘coexistence’ isn’t possible

Reading Time: 3 minutes Roundup Ready alfalfa is being launched on a limited basis in Canada’s six eastern provinces. Forage Genetics International (FGI) said late last month it will be releasing some HarvXtra alfalfa seed for planting this spring — but critics of GM alfalfa denounced the move, saying it’s “a myth” it won’t contaminate non-GM seed and hay […] Read more

Brent Reese

Counties say GM alfalfa not wanted here

Councillors and forage industry members concerned about potential loss of markets if GM alfalfa allowed in Alberta

Reading Time: 3 minutes Councillors from counties across the province have voted to keep genetically modified alfalfa out of Alberta until international markets become more accepting of the crop. At a meeting of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) earlier this month, 59 per cent of Alberta’s county councillors voted to keep the province free of […] Read more


Alberta is the largest producer of alfalfa seed, but growers’ overseas customers have a 
zero-GM tolerance policy.

GM alfalfa may already be in Alberta

Accidental contamination of foundation seed heightens fears that forage 
and hay markets worth hundreds of millions are in peril

Reading Time: 7 minutes Genetically modified alfalfa has somehow made its way into Alberta — raising fears that western Canadian forage seed growers and hay exporters could be shut out of markets worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Alberta Farmer recently learned that a batch of foundation seed contaminated with Roundup Ready alfalfa was sent to a forage seed […] Read more