GMO Canola Testing Kit

NEW YORK - Jul 26/04 - SNS -- New Jersey's DE–Strategic Diagnostics Inc. is commercializing a new application for the TraitChek RUR Test Strip for bulk canola (also known as rapeseed) with detection limits of one Roundup Ready™ (RUR) canola seed in 1000 non-RUR seeds (0.1%) in 5 minutes.

The TraitChek RUR Canola Test Kit was developed to meet the requirements of identity preservation programs for international import and export managers and quality control testing of conventional canola seed by providing an easy to use, rapid testing tool for GMO screening at low levels.

The European Food Safety Authority says there are no significant compositional differences between Monsanto’s Roundup Ready canola known as GT73 and conventional canola; and feeding trials have found GT73 canola is as safe as the conventional one.

Even so, the European Commission’s expert committee will not allow the import of the GT73 into the European Union for animal feed and industrial processing. The case now goes before the European ministers who will have 3 months to approve or reject the GT73 canola.

Matthew H. Knight, President and CEO of SDI commented, "The current concern around the importation of Roundup Ready canola into the EU creates another opportunity for Strategic Diagnostic’s technology to be used to assure adherence to rules.

"We have developed and validated a method that will be a useful tool for both seed developers who want to verify the purity of their non-transgenic seed and canola exporters and importers who must meet the current EU requirements for adventitious presence of GMO in seed and grain."