Arctic Apple Approved in US
(Kelowna) – The BC Fruit Growers’ Association stated its ongoing
opposition to the approval of Genetically Modified (GM) apples in Canada, despite the
approval of the GM “Arctic” Granny Smith and GM “Arctic” Golden Delicious in
the US today
The “Arctic” Granny Smith and Golden Delicious are genetically engineered to
modify the gene which controls apple browning. When cut, the apple does not
brown, mainly resulting in cosmetic benefit and enhancing the efficiency of fresh
cut apple processors. Other apples are available which are naturally slow to
oxidise, or brown, when cut.
The fruit grower association (representing 520 commercial tree fruit growers in
the Okanagan, with BC annual farmgate value of apples of $45.3 million) has
opposed the approval of GM apples in Canada due to possible market backlash
that could impact all apples. “We regret that the US is approving the Arctic
Granny Smith and Arctic Golden Delicious. The apple is considered a pure,
unadulterated product, similar to milk. In a 2012 national survey of consumers,
71% said they agreed that there should be categories of food that should not be
genetically engineered. Our members would like the apple market to remain free
of GM apples,” said Steele.
The BCFGA notifies the Canadian public that the situation is, as follows:
the Arctic Apple is not approved in Canada at this time.
it would take at least 4 years before any significant volume of arctic apples
were available in the marketplace, and even then the volume would be
very limited.It is only two varieties of Arctic apple which are approved in the US at this
time Granny Smith and Golden Delicious.
“If consumers want to be perfectly assured that they are not eating a GMO apple,
then avoid purchase of US Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apples . We will
advise the public when the product is approved in Canada, and seek to isolate
any damage that the apple will cause in the marketplace by advising consumers
how to continue purchasing apples while avoiding the Arctic Apple, if they so
desire. We would prefer if the Canadian government would place a moratorium
on the Arctic Apple, until we see the result of the market experiment in the US,”
concluded Steele.