Herbicide-resistant Canola Spreads

Yet another troublesome consequence has sprouted out of genetically engineered crops: glyphosate-resistant (Roundup Ready) canola growing in unexpected--and unwanted--places. Some Manitoba farmers have found that these "volunteer" weeds (meaning that they showed up without planting) are near impossible to get rid of and are strangling the growth of other crops.

Monsanto's answer has been to send two inspectors to Manitoba to pull out the rows of volunteer plants. One farmer estimates they will have to walk about 120 kilometres each before their job is completed. Monsanto's other offer is to help growers with the financial costs of spraying more chemicals on their crops, including 2,4-D and Gramoxone. Under agreement with the company, if farmers who use Roundup Ready canola find volunteers on their land, they are required to control the weeds for two subsequent years. In 2000, almost five million acres of the modified canola were planted in the Prairies.
Manitoba Co-operator, June 28, 2001