Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food’s Statement in Response to the Wheat and Barley Core Breeding Agreements

October 28, 2020 – Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, today released the following statement in response to the recently signed Barley and Wheat Core Breeding Agreements:

“Wheat and barley are important crops for many Canadian farmers, and have generated, on average, $7.1 billion annually in cash receipts over the past five years.

“The Government of Canada has long supported these two important sectors through scientific contributions and joint investments, and has succeeded in developing AAC Brandon wheat and AAC Connect barley, which help Canada remain a world leader in grain production.

“The recently signed Core Breeding Agreements between Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition and the Canadian Barley Research Coalition represent a continued commitment to work together. The joint investment, over the next five years, will ensure that Canadian farmers benefit from the best field ready wheat and barley varieties and genetics possible.

“Breeding programs require long-term vision to operate effectively. These investments in wheat and barley will continue to support Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s world-class breeding programs.

“The Government of Canada further supports the field crops sector through investments in the barley and wheat science clusters. Funding of $6.3 million and $13.9 million respectively were announced in 2019 to help keep the sector on the cutting edge. Additional support is also provided through a new state-of-the-art Barley Research Building in Brandon and the refurbishment of the Swift Current Research and Development Centre. These are but a few examples of the many ways we are supporting crop research and development in Canada.

“Together, these investments will help our farmers continue growing top quality products sustainably, while meeting consumer demands at home and abroad for years to come."

Additional links

• Canadian Wheat Research Coalition news release
• Canadian Barley Research Coalition news release