The federal government is giving the Flax Council of Canada up to $3 million to improve product testing.
“This investment is one more way the federal government is supporting Canada’s flax industry – from breeders to exporters,” said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “This project will help maintain our access to the EU market for our flax producers and ensure that their products continue to meet the highest industry standards.”
This investment will help identify any remaining genetically modified flax. This includes flax breeder and certified seed sampling, and screening of commercial seed stock, rural delivery points, new crop harvest and farm-saved seeds.
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“The Flax Council of Canada is pleased with the minister’s continued recognition of the importance of a competitive flax industry to western Canadian farmers,” said Terry James, chairman, Flax Council of Canada board of directors. “This important investment will facilitate a significant enhancement to the effectiveness of GM testing under the flax council’s ‘Flax Stewardship Program’ which is a critical element of maintaining access for Canadian flax to the EU marketplace.”
