The B.C. Fruit Growers Association has asked two federal ministers to step in and put a moratorium on a genetically-modified apple, even as it approaches regulatory approval in the U.S.
The BCFGA wrote to Health Minister Rona Ambrose and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz requesting that the Canadian regulatory process for the Arctic Apple be suspended. “Our concern is the negative publicity for apples in general caused by the controversy over this GM apple,” said Jeet Dukhia, BCFGA president, citing concerns over the damage the apple could do to apple marketing. “The public thinks of apples as a pure, natural, healthy and nutritional fruit. GM apples are a risk to our market image.”
Summerland orchardist and president of Okanagan Specialty Fruits Neal Carter developed the Arctic Apple,using genetic techniques to turn off the gene that causes apples to turn brown after being cut. He claims that not only makes them more attractive to the prepackaged food industry, but the apples retain their nutritional aspects longer.
He finds the BCFGA attitude frustrating, saying they are “preaching doom and gloom.” “They don’t ever think of the other way round, that this innovation could be showing that B.C. is on the leading edge of the apple industry and is responding to consumer interest with new products,” said Carter.
According to a 2012 survey sponsored by the BCGFA and the Quebec Apple Producers Association, the public is sceptical about GM foods.The survey showed that 69 per cent of Canadians are not in favour of GM food and 91 per cent said GM labelling should be mandatory.
Carter suggests a lack of education about biotech sciences is behind much of the opposition to his apples. “We wouldn’t put this much effort into something if we didn’t think it was worth it.”
