Summary of stakeholder feedback – Wheat Class Modernization consultation
The Wheat Class Modernization consultation period on the Canadian Grain Commission’s proposal to modernize the Canadian wheat class system ended on April 20, 2015. The objective of the proposal was to:
- Review the current Canadian wheat classes
- Maintain the quality and enhance the consistency of Canadian wheat classes to support marketability
- Add a new wheat class to address emerging requests from producers and markets
The Canadian Grain Commission received 45 formal written submissions from a diverse range of stakeholders representing more than 150 commodity and producer organizations, industry organizations, government departments, and domestic and international end users, as well as grain handlers/marketers, plant breeders, seed companies and seed growers. In addition, the Wheat Class Modernization proposal was accessed over 2000 times on the Canadian Grain Commission website during the consultation period. The Canadian Grain Commission appreciates the contribution, participation, and input of all stakeholders for this proposal.
Major feedback themes
- Quality parameters of the Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) and Canada Prairie Spring Red (CPSR) wheat classes
- Nearly all stakeholders strongly support the proposed steps to protect the quality, consistency, and end use performance of the Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) and Canada Prairie Spring Red (CPSR) wheat classes.
- Creation of a new wheat class Footnote 1
- The majority of stakeholders indicate the need for caution. Before making a permanent decision on a new wheat class, stakeholders have requested more information on potential market demand, farm gate value, and grade structure.
- Many stakeholders have asked for a six-month period to complete and consider the results of the comprehensive market scan underway by Cereals Canada and the Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI).
- Transition and Implementation period
- Most stakeholders want the proposed variety transition process from one designated wheat class to another to be carefully managed by communicating clear information and procedures to the entire wheat value chain.
- Some stakeholders suggest that if varieties are being designated to another wheat class, a longer transition period may be required to provide seed growers and producers with the opportunity to exit the variety and determine suitable replacements.
- Creation of a Canada Eastern General Purpose (CEGP) wheat class
- Stakeholders are divided on this part of the proposal. Some stakeholders support the creation of a Canada Eastern General Purpose (CEGP) wheat class similar to the Canada Western General Purpose (CWGP)wheat class in order to bring consistency between eastern and western wheat classes. Other stakeholders have requested more information and criteria for movement of existing varieties into a Canada Eastern General Purpose wheat class.
- Most feedback was consistent with comments received at the Prairie Grain Development Committee meetings in February 2015 and the western and eastern standards committee meetings in April 2015.
In addition to written submissions, the Canadian Grain Commission received many calls from producers. The majority of inquiries centered on if and when the proposed new wheat class would take effect, which varieties would be designated to another wheat class, and the farm gate value of the class.
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