By Charlotte Morritt-Jacobs - (@morrittjacobs on Twitter)

Bayer-Monsanto Merger Raising Concern for Canola Farmers

Sep 22, 2016 | 10:37 AM

LETHBRIDGE – The proposed merger between Bayer and Monsanto has many canola produces concerned for the aftermath that comes with a reduction of competition.

In particular, the $66 billion deal announced on Sept. 14.

Ward Toma, General Manager of at Alberta Canola Producers Commission pessimistic of the corporation’s ability to advance innovation for Canadian agriculture.

“These companies have a significant market share, approximately 80 to 90 per-cent of the herbicide trades on top of being a significant seller of canola seeds. When you have such a large entity being created, a virtual monopoly in seed sales and in ownership of herbicide tolerant and canola, it’s unprecedented. For many growers it is just too large.”

Toma said that the Alberta Canola Producers Commission is hoping for the Competition Act and its enforcement agency, the Competition Bureau, to complete a rigorous review of the merger’s impact on competition in the canola sector in general, and more specifically at the farm gate.

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For those who benefit from the employment opportunities that Monsanto provides, the merger translates to the possibility of increased seed and crop protection and therefore heightened food security.

Edith Olson, Interim co-dean of the Centre for Applied Arts and Sciences at Lethbridge College, said that the merger does not put farmers in southern Alberta in any disadvantage.

“I’ve seen strong opposition towards Monsanto for some of their practices, especially with the financial implications for farmers who have to buy new seed each year. Farmers never want to see rising prices for their seed because it will increase their operational costs.”

Oslen did disclose that Monsanto has a good relationship with Lethbridge College as it has employed many agriculture students upon graduation.

Associations representing canola farmers at provincial and national levels are calling on canola farmers to come forward and voice their concerns.