WE'RE AT WAR - THE FIGHT FOR FARM FREEDOM
by Elmer Laird
I am a 77-year-old retired farmer. After 32 years of organic farming I have leased my farm to the Back to the Farm Research Foundation, established as a certified organic research and demonstration farm. I am manager.
At the age of 18, I enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in World War II as an air frame mechanic and served for three years. I thought it was the war to end all wars. It wasn't. We are currently battling World War III. The fight worldwide for control of agriculture is between transnational corporations like Monsanto and certified organic farmers. The torpedoes of this particular war are genetically engineered crops (GMOs).
Transnational corporations have a policy of trying to exploit something as long as it can be exploited. When itıs no longer exploitable, they abandon the project and move investor's money into something else. (They are also aware that would be the end of their chemical businesses). Organic farmers are practising good soil improvement and conservation policies that will rebuilt the soil and produce healthy food for future generations. Consumers will be big losers if the transnationals win this war because the result will be a polluted environment, polluted water and polluted food. It's a war for survival.
The Farmer's Union
I have recently written to Mr. Darren Qualman, executive secretary of the National Farmer's Union, asking him to co-ordinate or provide leadership for
the many Canadian organizations that are opposed to GMOs. The National Farmers Union is the logical organization because they are the only direct
dues-paying farm policy organization in Canada with a national charter that can provide leadership to focus on the GMO issue. They have regional offices
at Arthurette, NB, Summerside, PEI, Ompah, ON, Winnipeg, MB and Edmonton, AB in addition to the national office in Saskatoon. The National Farmers Union
also has an excellent anti-GMO policy. In addition, farmer members are free to develop their own policies at local meetings and national conferences.
They aren't exposed to or intimidated by corporate lobbyists, as are politicians.
It's time the NFU led this battle by calling together "fellow travellers" who are concerned about GMOs. I don't know who they all are, but Saskatchewan Organic Directorate (SOD) has a very strong anti-GMO policy. The National Union of Public and General Employees is another it represents government employees in all provinces except Quebec.
The Company of Canadians, the Canadian Wheat Board, all environmental organizations in Canada and even the Pope have issued very strong statements against the GMOs. However, the battle is more obvious in Europe, Africa and Asia than here. Unfortunately, both the Canadian and US federal governments are committed to GMO production.
Currently, the Saskatchewan provincial government supports GMO farming and with the help of the federal government pumping money into the province are trying to turn Saskatchewan into the GMO capital of the world.
In the US many state governments are resisting GMOs. The Minneapolis, Minnesota city council is a leader of municipal governments in the fight. The council is demanding the labelling of all GMO products and has also recommended that all eating establishments in Minneapolis offer organic foods on their menu as an alternative.
The Family Farm
In the short time I have left on earth, I plan to work with individuals and
organizations that are committed to the following policies and goals:
Elmer Laird is a certified organic farmer in Davidson, SK and is also president of the Back to the Farm Research Foundation.
Reprinted with permission from Alive #226, August 2001 and the Author