CALGARY, AB: The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association is very pleased to see the announcement today of a partnership between CANTERRA SEEDS and LIMAGRAIN that will be developing new varieties of wheat and other cereals for Canadian farmers. The new joint venture, Limagrain Cereals Research Canada, will be based in Saskatoon.
“This is an exciting new development,” says Levi Wood, President of the Wheat Growers.“We welcome investment by any company that can bring value to prairie farmers.”
The Wheat Growers see this new venture as a direct benefit of the passage of Bill C-18 which modernized Canada’s Plant Breeders’ Rights legislation. Bill C-18 received Royal Assent in February.
“Bringing Canada’s seed regulations up-to-date has created opportunities for new investment in crop breeding in Canada,” says Jim Wickett, Chair of the Wheat Growers. “This announcement today demonstrates the value of creating a policy environment that encourages investment.Prairie wheat growers will be the main beneficiaries.”
The Wheat Growers congratulate CANTERRA SEEDS and LIMAGRAIN on undertaking this important new venture. We also thank Minister Gerry Ritz and the federal government for spearheading the legislation that paved the way for today’s announcement.
About the Wheat Growers:
Founded in 1970, the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association is a voluntary farmer-run advocacy organization dedicated to developing public policy solutions that strengthen the profitability and sustainability of farming, and the agricultural industry as a whole. For more information, please visit wheatgrowers.ca.
For More Information Contact:
Levi Wood, President
306-535-2997
lwood@wheatgrowers.ca