A genetically modified apple could be grown in Quebec, but apple growers don’t want it

A rare apple genetically modified not to brown which has been approved by Health Canada could be grown in Quebec even if voices are raised against its implementation.

“We do not need genetically modified products, especially not of this variety which presents no advantage for us,” maintains Éric Rochon, president of the Producers of apples of Quebec, which brings together 425 apple growers in the province.

Arctic Gala, from the British-Columbian company Okanagan Specialty Fruits, has the particularity of not browning when left in the open air. Touted as the “ultimate sliced ​​apple, capable of maintaining an appearance and taste as fresh as a freshly picked fruit,” it can be stored for up to a month without alteration in its appearance and taste.

For Mr. Rochon, a common variety in our orchards, Cortland, resists browning very well, which takes away many of the attractions of the Arctic Gala approved by Health Canada last May.

Many risks

No apple tree of this variety has yet been planted in Quebec given its recent approval, but nothing prevents an apple grower from acquiring it and adding it to his orchard, which raises certain fears.

“We believe that the introduction of this apple presents many risks, both for consumers and for producers,” claims Maxime Dubé, spokesperson for Vigilance OGM, which launched a campaign against the introduction of this apple in Quebec. .

“There is currently no way to know if the product you are purchasing contains genetically modified organisms [OGM]. This would be the case for this apple,” he adds.

Without representing an immediate danger to human health, GMOs risk spreading in the environment and affecting biological species. Several environmental organizations are opposed to it under the precautionary principle.

Mr. Dubé says he fears “cross-contamination” by pollinating insects which pass from one apple tree to another during flowering. The fruits could end up on the counters of our food markets without it being possible to distinguish them from non-genetically modified apples. Labeling GMO products is not mandatory in Quebec.

Three more approvals

Three other Okanagan Specialty Fruits products (Arctic Golden Delicious, Arctic Granny Smith and Arctic Fuji) have been approved by Health Canada in recent years. But these three varieties are not grown in Quebec because of our climate.

“Gala is a variety that is very present in Quebec, that’s what worries us,” continues Mr. Dubé, who is circulating a “declaration” of opposition to the introduction of Arctic Gala and other genetically modified apples. . Around forty companies have signed it to date.

On October 9, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved the marketing of the Arctic Gala in the United States. Okanagan Specialty Fruits, which did not return our request for information, wants to soon launch two new genetically modified varieties, Arctic Honey and Arctic Pink.