Tilson presents petition on genetically modified alfalfa

April 22, 2021

Ottawa, ON – David Tilson, Member of Parliament for Dufferin-Caledon, today presented in the House of Commons a petition signed by residents of Dufferin-Caledon and surrounding areas calling on the federal government to impose a moratorium on genetically modified alfalfa.

“On April 9th, there was a demonstration regarding genetically modified alfalfa outside my office in Orangeville and this petition was part of that,” said Mr. Tilson. “I committed to presenting this petition in the House of Commons, which I was pleased to do today.”

First approved by the government in 2005, GM alfalfa is nearing entry into the market in Canada. Once the science has been analyzed and a GM crop has been approved for environmental release and obtained other appropriate regulatory approvals, it is considered to be like any other commodity crop. Growers are free to use it or not.

“I am informed that in Dufferin County and in Peel, there is little interest in this form of GM alfalfa as farmers in our area generally plant their alfalfa mixed with other grass varieties,” said Mr. Tilson.