OT means Off Topic.

I watched a special on CBC News last night regarding a farmer's fight with
Monsanto. According to the report, and as indicated previously on this list,
Monsanto requires farmers to sign an agreement when using Monsanto seeds.
Apparently, farmers cannot use seeds they have grown from Monsanto crops,
and must agree to be audited by Monsanto to ensure they don't produce
Monsanto-derived seeds on the side.

The seeds in question are from a genetically altered variety of Canola
(itself a Canadian genetically altered rapeseed with oil low in erucic acid)
that can withstand high doses of Roundup -- therefore, little weed and lotsa
Canola. The farmer in question was found to have Monsanto's DNA present in
his Canola crop (PI's were sent to investigate). However, the farmer never
purchased seeds from Monsanto, hence his problem. He argues that Monsanto
pollen must have drifted onto and fertilized his Canola crop. Another farmer
was also in trouble, only this time he traded seeds (apparently, an ancient
farming custom) with another farmer in Canada. Again, Monsanto DNA was found
in his Canola crop.

Talk about sewing wild Canals.

Information on Roundup Ready(R) Canola:
http://www.farmcentral.com/s/rr/s3rrzzzzz.htm

CBC News report - Blown' in the Wind:
http://www.tv.cbc.ca/national/pgminfo/canola/index.html

Oh, birds were never mentioned in the news report...

Mike

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Mike P. Gagel
Vancouver, BC
E-mail: mailto:hlthpro at home.com
Bird Links: http://members.home.net/hlthpro1/birding/