Manitoba Co-operator | October 7, 1999 | Laura Rance
A new report on Canada's wheat research system, according to this story, lays some tough issues out for Prairie farmers to digest.
The study, prepared by the Calgary-based Meristem Information Resources Ltd., warns that wheat breeding in this country is in for a shakeup as the impacts of biotechnology and interest in the crop by the private research sector continue to grow.
Science has the potential to redesign the crop and hasten the pace of change, yet at the same time the technology involved raises concerns with the general public. There is more emphasis on industry participation in research, which includes farmers.
But multinationals are also becoming interested in wheat, and their priorities may differ from what has driven research into the crop in the past.
Questions over patenting and genetic ownership are more prevalent and there is a debate over how best to balance the need to improve the crop while maintaining the quality control process that has made Canadian grain famous.
The traditional system of requiring varieties from the various classes of wheat to be visually distinguishable from one another is also being challenged. Some researchers argue it limits their ability to make genetic improvements. Identity preservation, which is being proposed as a mechanism for meeting customers' needs, can put a "significant strain" on the handling system, the report said. On the other hand, it may help diffuse the public backlash against biotechnology.
The full report is available from Meristem Information Resources Ltd., 12 3109 Palliser Dr. S.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2V 4W5 or by calling, 403 543 7420.
