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O' Canada & Africa

Why Seek Approval? U.S. vs. EU Marketability O' Canada & Africa References

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Africa

Africa is known for its sprawling savannahs and exotic wildlife; however, it may soon be known for its GM wheat as well. While the matter of the U.S. wheat industry's full support of Monsanto's wheat still remained on the table, Monsanto Co. also sought approval in another far corner of the world. The company sought permission for the future import of their GM wheat into South Africa with a go ahead from the government (Agnet 2004).

 

Why Africa?

While Europe and many other parts of the world remain in staunch opposition to GM food, the African continent as of yet remains an untapped market possibility. The vast amount of land and the large population make Africa a prime target market from both a grower and consumer perspective. Monsanto's move to secure future imports of its GM wheat into South Africa is the merely the first step towards gaining a strong foothold in the continent. The fact that South Africa already commercially produces transgenic crops, such as maize and soya, further ensures that the government will be open to Monsanto's proposal (Agnet 2004). Another appealing quality of South Africa is that as of yet the country has no established legislation placing a restriction upon the release of GMO's (Thomson 2000). It is for these reasons that Monsanto has turned to South Africa as a potential market for GM Wheat in the African continent.

 

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Peer Pressure: Canadian Style

Canada stands as a perfect example of a nation that has succumbed to the opinions of its fellow nations when it comes to GM crops. The effective "stonewalling" of GM food and crops by Europe and several Asian countries has caused Canadian wheat farmers to reconsider a complete move to GM wheat. As of yet, Canadian farmers will not committ wholeheartedly to GM wheat because of the opposition. While some Canadian farmers do express ethical concerns over the issue, it seems that an inability to export the product overseas is a far heavier concern. This concern has led to a push for stricter regulation and labeling of GM products in an effort to appease the opposition (Agnet2004). If worldwide consumer resistance could be diminished , then it is almost a certainty that the Canadian wheat industry would no longer have a problem with the genetically modified wheat crop.

In an effort to win back Canada, Monsanto has embarked upon a joint venture with Agriculture Canada that will allow the Canadian Food agency to assist in the development of the GM wheat. Monsanto even went so far as to make Canadian wheat farmers the promise that "it won't rush GM wheat to market until international standards and market concerns are addressed" (Toronto 2003). It remains to be seen whether or not this promise will be enough to ease the troubled mind of the Canadian wheat farmer.


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