OTTAWA, October 16, 2009 — The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) have adopted a new communications protocol that will provide timely information to grain producers and industry representatives on upcoming changes to the registration status of wheat varieties.
"The CFIA and CGC are working together to let farmers, grain producers and industry representatives know of any planned wheat variety de-registrations in a timely fashion." said Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board. This will help farmers plan for the future and make sure they can adjust to any changes.
"Communicating quickly when wheat varieties are proposed for de-registration will help prevent financial losses for farmers who plant wheat varieties that will no longer be eligible for milling grades and top payment. The Canadian Grain Commission is committed to communicating to farmers before varieties become de-registered," said CGC Chief Commissioner Elwin Hermanson.
The protocol, called the National Wheat Variety De-registration Protocol, came about after kernel visual distinguishability (KVD) was removed as a registration requirement for all Western Canadian wheat classes. Following removal of KVD on August 1, 2008, the grain industry implemented a voluntary declaration system in order to maintain the integrity and quality of the Canadian wheat quality assurance system.
The CGC and CFIA therefore agreed that it would be beneficial to widely communicate proposed wheat variety de-registrations to provide sufficient advance warning to farmers through a new protocol. Under the new protocol, when a de-registration request is received for a wheat variety, a minimum three-year phase-out period begins. The phase-out period allows sufficient time to clear the entire system of all seed and grain of that variety.
De-registration notices for wheat will be released on August 1 of each year.
For more information, wheat producers can consult the variety "Variety Designation Lists" on the CGC's web site: www.grainscanada.gc.ca, or the "Lists of Varieties which are Registered in Canada" on the CFIA's web site: www.inspection.gc.ca.
-30-
For information:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Media relations: 613-228-6682
Canadian Grain Commission
Norm Woodbeck
Acting Chief Grain Inspector for Canada
Tel.: 1-204-983-2780
Email: norm.woodbeck@grainscanada.gc.ca
