The BC Fruit Growers’ Association is hoping that Canada does not follow the US’s lead in approving genetically-modified (GM) apples from the Okanagan.
Last week the United States government approved the GM “Arctic” Granny Smith and the GM “Arctic” Golden Delicious developed by Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc.
These varieties are genetically engineered to modify the gene which controls apple browning. When cut, the apple does not brown.
The US’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service recently announced its decision to deregulate the genetically modified varieties. It took this action based on a plant pest risk assessment that found the apples are unlikely to pose a plant pest risk to agriculture and other plants in the United States.
The BCFGA sees the “Arctic” Granny Smith and Golden Delicious as a cosmetic benefit and enhancing the efficiency of fresh cut apple processors.
BC fruit growers oppose the approval of GM apples in Canada due to a possible market backlash that could impact all apples.
Fred Steele, president of the BCFGA, said they regret the US’s decision.
“The apple is considered a pure, unadulterated product, similar to milk,” Steele pointed out. “In a 2012 national survey of consumers, 71 per cent said they agreed that there should be categories of food that should not be genetically engineered. Our members would like the apple market to remain free of GM apples.”
The Arctic apple is not approved in Canada at this time. According to the BCFGA, it would take at least four years before any significant volume of arctic apples were available in the marketplace, and even then the volume would be very limited.
“If consumers want to be perfectly assured that they are not eating a GM apple, then avoid purchase of US Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apples,” said Steele.
He noted the BCFGA will advise the public when the product is approved in Canada, and will seek to isolate any damage that the apple will cause in the marketplace by advising consumers how to continue purchasing apples while avoiding the Arctic apple if they desire.
“We would prefer if the Canadian government would place a moratorium on the Arctic apple until we see the result of the market experiment in the US,” Steele said.
In the meantime, BC Southern Interior MP Alex Atamanenko is calling on the federal government to reject its approval in Canada.
“There is absolutely no need to grow genetically-engineered apples in Canada. There is a very legitimate fear that public backlash would wreak havoc in the marketplace.”
Atamanenko said consumers do not support the genetic tampering of fruit and vegetables for the benefit of patent holders, especially when the genetics of their products cannot realistically be prevented from cross-pollinating with neighbouring varieties.
The Union of BC Municipalities previously passed a resolution asking the provincial government to legislate the prohibition of importing, exporting and growing plants and seeds containing genetically engineered DNA. It also wants it declared through legislation that the province of BC be a GM- free area in respect to all plant and animal species.
“The bottom line is that neither our fruit growers nor the public see a need for this “non-browning” apple. I strongly urge the federal government to protect our farmers and not approve the apple,” Atamanenko said.
Okanagan Specialty Fruits says the non-browning apple will not only benefit consumers, but producers, packers, retailers and food service operators.
“Apple browning is more than a mere cosmetic issue – it costs every link in the apple supply chain, from the grower to the end consumer,” the company says.
It notes this problem is solved by marrying the age-old art of fruit breeding with modern science tools – applying biotechnology to the world of horticulture.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
