Growing Resistance : Canadian Farmers and the Politics of Genetically Modified Wheat

In 2004 Canadian farmers led an international coalition to a major victory for the anit-GM movement by defeating the introduction of Monsanto's genetically modified wheat. Canadian farmers' strong opposition to GM wheat marked a stark contrast to previous producer acceptance of other genetically modified crops. By 2005, for example, GM canola accounted for 78 percent of all canola grown nationally. So why did farmers stand up for wheat? In Growing Resistance, Emily Eaton reveals the motivating factors behind farmer opposition to GM wheat. She illustrates wheat's cultural, historical, and political significance on the Canadian prairies as well as its role in crop rotation, seed saving practices, and the economic livelihoods of prairie farmers. Through interviews with producers, industry organizations, and biochemical companies, Eaton demonstrates how the inclusion of producer interests was integral to the coalition's success in voicing concerns about environmental implications, international market opposition to GMOs, and the lack of transparency and democracy in Canadian biotech policy and regulation. Growing Resistance is a fascinating study of successful coalition building, of the need to balance local and global concerns in activist movements, and of the powerful forces vying for control of food production. In 2004 Canadian Farmers Led An International Coalition To A Major Victory For The Anti-gm Movement By Defeating The Introduction Of Monsanto's Genetically Modified Wheat. Canadian Farmers' Strong Opposition To Gm Wheat Marked A Stark Contrast To Previous Producer Acceptance Of Other Genetically Modified Crops. By 2005, For Example, Gm Canola Accounted For 78% Of All Canola Grown Nationally. So Why Did Farmers Stand Up For Wheat? In Growing Resistance, Emily Eaton Reveals The Motivating Factors Behind Farmer Opposition To Gm Wheat. She Illustrates Wheat's Cultural, Historical, And Political Significance On The Canadian Prairies As Well As Its Role In Crop Rotation, Seed Saving Practices, And The Economic Livelihoods Of Prairie Farmers. Through Interviews With Producers, Industry Organizations, And Biochemical Companies, Eaton Demonstrates How The Inclusion Of Producer Interests Was Integral To The Coalition's Success In Voicing Concerns About Environmental Implications, International Market Opposition To Gmos, And The Lack Of Transparency And Democracy In Canadian Biotech Policy And Regulation. Growing Resistance Is A Fascinating Study Of Successful Coalition Building, Of The Need To Balance Local And Global Concerns In Activist Movements, And Of The Powerful Forces Vying For Control Of Food Production.--publisher's Description. Setting The Stage -- Regulating And Promoting Biotechnology In Canada -- The Difference Between Bread And Oil : People-plant Relationships In Historical Context -- Farmers Make Their Case Against Gm Wheat : Articulating The Politics Of Production Through Discourses Of Consumption. Emily Eaton. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [166]-177) And Index. Issued Also In Electronic Formats.

In 2004 Candian farmers led an international coalition to a major victory for the anit-GM movement by defeating the introduction of Monsanto's genetically modified wheat. Canadian farmers' strong opposition to GM wheat marked a stark contrast to previous producer acceptance of other genetically modified crops. By 2005, for example, GM canola accounted for 78 percent of all canola grown nationally. So why did farmers stand up for wheat?In Growing Resistance, Emily Eaton reveals the motivating factors behind farmer opposition to GM wheat. She illustrates wheat's cultural, historical, and political significance on the Canadian prairies as well as its role in crop rotation, seed saving practices, and the economic livelihoods of prairie farmers.Through interviews with producers, industry organizations, and biochemical companies, Eaton demonstrates how the inclusion of producer interests was integral to the coalition's success in voicing concerns about environmental implications, international market opposition to GMOs, and the lack of transparency and democracy in Canadian biotech policy and regulation. Growing Resistance is a fascinating study of successful coalition building, of the need to balance local and global concerns in activist movements, and of the powerful forces vying for control of food production.