NATIONAL
CARINATA PROGRAM GETS PATENT UPDATE
Agrisoma Biosciences Inc. announced a technical and patent update on its development program for Resonance Carinata. Specifically, Agrisoma has applied its high efficiency double-haploid technology to create a number of new varietal candidates. The breeding program also evaluates new plant varieties that deliver enhanced production characteristics.
CGC CANCELS FLAXSEED VARIETY
The Canadian Grain Commission notified producers and industry stakeholders that the registration for flaxseed variety CDC Valour will be cancelled Aug. 1, 2015. At that time, it will only be eligible for the grade Flaxseed, 3 Canada Western/Canada Eastern. Also, registration for varieties, which include CDC Arras, Flanders and Somme, will be cancelled Aug. 1, 2017.
ADOPTION OF ORGANIC RULES ENCOURAGED
New Brunswick has adopted new organic regulations to ensure products sold as organic in the province meet strict national standards. New Brunswick joins Québec and Manitoba as the only provinces that have adopted Canada’s national organic regime. In 2009, the Canadian government put the national organic regulations in place, which is mandatory for all imported products and those crossing provincial lines.
CSGA GOES DIGITAL
The Canadian government will fund more than $836,000 to the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association to develop a rapid data management system for seed crop certification. The new system, developed in collaboration with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, will replace the three-part paper forms. It allows licensed seed crop inspectors to submit reports electronically, sometimes straight from the field, saving time and money.
SCEPTRE AND PLENTY SET TO BE CANCELLED
The variety registration for Sceptre, a Canada western amber durum variety, will be cancelled Oct. 24, 2014. Sceptre will remain on the Canadian Grain Commission’s variety designation list and will be eligible for all grades of amber durum until Aug. 1, 2015. Also, the variety registration for Plenty, another Canada western amber durum variety, will be cancelled Aug. 1, 2015, and removed from the variety designation list.
MILLIONS COMMITTED TO GENOMICS
The Canadian government will commit $99.5 million to the Genomics Research and Development Initiative during the next five years to continue research in agriculture, environment, fisheries, forestry and health. GRDI coordinates eight federal science departments and agencies in the field of genomics research, a few of which include Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada Food Inspection Agency, Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada.
INTERNATIONAL
NEW ASSOCIATION FOCUSES ON BIOTECH
An international confederation of biotechnology trade associations has created the International Council of Biotechnology Association, with the purpose of advocating for public policies that support the growth of the biotechnology industry worldwide. Jim Greenwood, Biotechnology Industry Organization president and CEO, was elected chairman of International Council of Biotechnology Association, and Nathalie Moll, secretary general of EuropaBio, was elected vice-chair. Each will serve a two-year term. The new association will meet annually at the BIO International Convention.
NAGOYA PROTOCOL COMPLETES REQUIRED NUMBER OF SIGNATORIES TO ENTER FORCE
The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Rsources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization has been ratified by 51 parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, and thus will be implemented Oct. 12, 2014. The Nagoya Protocol aims to create new incentives to conserve biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and improve the the role of biodiversity in sustainable development and human well-being.
