South Korea has stopped buying Canadian wheat and flour because some Roundup-Ready plants were discovered in Alberta.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the plants were isolated and none got into commercial channels.
Japan has also temporarily stopped buying Canadian wheat pending an investigation of the situation.
Japan has also temporarily stopped buying Canadian wheat pending an investigation of the situation.
However, the South Koreans implemented the ban and Italian politicians have cited the incident as a reason to ban Canadian wheat.
The wheat probably originated from field trials conducted by Monsanto, but neither the Canadian nor the United States governments have granted approval to plant the genetically-modified seeds.
Canada is South Korea’s third-largest wheat and flour supplier, after the U.S. and Australia.
Japan imported 1.4 million tonnes of wheat from Canada last year and 1.6 million tonnes the year before, said Cam Dahl, president of Cereals Canada.
"Japan is a very good customer," he said. "More than that, they are a premium customer. They are the highest grade buyer of Canadian wheat in the world."
