GMO crop use expanding on P.E.I.
CBC News in Canada reported this week that there has been an increase in the number of genetically modified crops being grown on Prince Edward Island. Biotech sugar beats and corn have seen the largest increases.
C.S. Prakash
GMO crop use expanding on P.E.I.
CBC News
January 24, 2008
Hundreds more hectares of genetically modified crops will be grown on P.E.I. this year, a trend that could soon end any plan to make the province a GMO-free zone.
Daniel Martens of Lyndale in eastern P.E.I. is growing sugar beets: not for people to eat, but to create ethanol to replace gasoline in vehicles. Sugar beets are one of the fastest growing areas of GMO crop production on the Island.
Last summer there were about 16 hectares of genetically modified sugar beets grown on P.E.I. This spring, Martens said farmers hope to plant 1,400 hectares of GMO sugar beets. That could double in 2009. Martens argues it is the environmentally responsible thing to do, because it will mean less pesticide sprayed on the field.
"We're looking at about three to four applications of any kind of sprays," he said.
