The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) today announced planned modifications to western Canadian wheat classes. The modifications are contained in a report entitled, The Future of Western Canadian Wheat Quality Assurance, which includes next steps and a new class of wheat. This report is the result of extensive consultation with producer organizations, industry and other government departments. It continues a process begun in 2003 with the Variety Eligibility Declaration consultation, and the 2005 development of the Wheat Quality Assurance Strategy (WQAS).

“The class-restructuring plan will facilitate the development and registration of non-milling wheat varieties,” said CGC Assistant Chief Commissioner, Terry Harasym “This will provide producers with more options and greater choice in growing high-yielding varieties suitable for livestock feed or ethanol.”

The report will serve as the basis for a period of comment, ending August 31, 2006, regarding implementation. Major elements include:

• No change to kernel visual distinguishability (KVD) requirements for Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) or Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD)
• Elimination of KVD requirements for the minor wheat classes - Canada Western Red Winter (CWRW), Canada Prairie Spring Red (CPSR), Canada Western Soft White Spring (CWSWS), Canada Prairie Spring White (CPSW), Canada Western Extra Strong (CWES), Canada Western Hard White Spring (CWHWS)—effective August 1, 2008
• Creation of Canada Western General Purpose (CWGP), a new wheat class with disease resistance and agronomic criteria and limited quality requirements—effective August 1, 2008
• Varieties in CWGP and the minor classes can visually resemble each other, but are not permitted to visually resemble CWRS or CWAD.
• The CGC will work with the Wheat, Rye, and Triticale Recommending Committee and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to implement the changes required for the registration of new varieties in the CWGP class.

"The CGC consulted extensively and incorporated stakeholder input into the plan," said harasym. "It strikes a balance between retaining KVD for the CWRS and CWAD classes, thereby protecting markets for high-quality wheat, and facilitating the development and registration of new non-milling varieties for livestock feed or industrial end-uses by eliminating KVD for minor wheat classes and creating a new General Purpose class."

The report is available on the CGC web site at grainscanada.gc.ca. Comments on the plan should be submitted by August 31, 2006, through e-mail to mgustafson@grainscanada.gc.ca, or through regular mail to: Melanie Gustafson, 600-303 Main St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 3G8.

The CGC is the federal agency responsible for establishing and maintaining Canada’s grain quality standards. Its programs result in shipments of grain that consistently meet contract specifications for quality, safety and quantity. The CGC regulates the grain industry to protect producers’ rights and ensure the integrity of grain transactions.