Japan suspends sale of Canadian wheat after GMO variety found in Alberta

"We are suspending the tender and sale of Canadian wheat until we confirm that the Canadian wheat that Japan buys contains no GMO," an official at the Japanese farm ministry said.

By: Reuters | Tokyo | Updated: June 15, 2018 3:23:45 pm

Punjab, Punjab wheat procurement, Punjab wheat, Punjab news, indian express news

While other crops such as corn and soybeans have been widely genetically modified to improve yield or withstand threats, GMO wheat has not been approved anywhere for commercial production because of concerns by consumers. (Representational Image)

Japanese farm ministry said on Friday it has suspended its tender and sale of wheat from Canada after grain containing a genetically modified trait was discovered last summer in Canada’s Alberta province. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said on Thursday the wheat containing a genetically modified trait, developed by Monsanto Co to tolerate the Roundup weed-killer, was discovered in Alberta.

“We are suspending the tender and sale of Canadian wheat until we confirm that the Canadian wheat that Japan buys contains no GMO,” an official at the Japanese farm ministry said.

2m 14s

Doug Ford vows to stand 'shoulder to shoulder' with feds on NAFTA

Doug Ford says he is standing with the federal Liberals in Canada's trade negotiations with the U.S. The Ontario premier-designate and Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland met on Thursday to discuss NAFTA negotiations.

Canada is one of the world’s largest wheat exporters. While other crops such as corn and soybeans have been widely genetically modified to improve yield or withstand threats, GMO wheat has not been approved anywhere for commercial production because of concerns by consumers. The wheat, discovered near a rural road after it survived herbicide spraying, has not been approved for commercial use.

For all the latest World News, download Indian Express App