Canada Grains Council Applauds Creation of FPT Working Group on Pesticide Management

Cole's Ag on July 25, 2023

July 25th, 2023 (Ottawa, ON)  –  Canada Grains Council (CGC) is pleased to learn about the federal, provincial and territorial ministers’ commitment to establishing an “FPT working group” tasked with exploring pesticide management complexities.

In a letter addressed to the FPT ministers of agriculture ahead of their meetings in Fredericton, N.B., earlier this month, CGC president, Erin Gowriluk, urged the Ministers to prioritize science-based regulation of pesticides and engage in a more structured dialogue on these critical issues.

Gowriluk stresses the importance of involving all levels of government in this critical discussion.


“Each level brings valuable perspectives to the table. For instance, provincial and territorial ministers can address the unique challenges faced by farmers in their regions,” she says. “The establishment of a formal group dedicated to ongoing dialogue ensures accountability and enables proactive discussions informed by the realities of farming in Canada.”

Transparent communication on pesticides is vital for building public trust and gives consumers a better understanding of how these products are used. Pesticides are essential in meeting agricultural and agri-food market demands, providing farmers with valuable tools to grow abundant crops amid heightened geopolitical tensions and global food price inflation. Integrated pest management empowers farmers to apply the right tools at the right time, safeguarding crops and our food, feed and fuel. Consistent government messaging and action are necessary to maintain public trust and uphold Canada’s trade reputation with international partners.

“Our interest lies in upholding the strong reputation of Canadian grains as safe and healthy for consumers and the markets we serve,” says Gowriluk. “Given the rising global demand for Canadian agricultural products, an open dialogue supported by a science-based approach is essential to meet these demands and enhance Canada’s contribution to global food security.”

The establishment of the FPT working group on pesticide management presents an opportunity for meaningful engagement on this vital and timely topic. “We eagerly anticipate learning more about the group’s mandate and how our sector will contribute to the discussion,” adds Gowriluk.

CGC will continue to work on behalf of its members to advocate for the importance of science-based decision-making. The Council stands behind the integrity of Canada’s grain sector, which maintains the highest safety standards for the benefit of Canadian consumers and international markets.

For more information, please contact:

Sandra Filion
Vice President, Communications & Stakeholder Relations
Canada Grains Council
613-277-0109 | sandra@canadagrainscouncil.ca

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Canada Grains Council Introduces New Board Leadership

Cole's Ag on July 6, 2023

July 6, 2023 (Ottawa, ON)  –  The Canada Grains Council (CGC) is thrilled to announce Pierre Petelle as Chair and Greg Cherewyk as Vice-Chair of its board of directors, solidifying the council’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and growth in the grains sector.

Assuming the role of chair, Petelle brings his extensive expertise in strategic direction and collaboration as a seasoned leader. In his position as President and CEO of CropLife Canada, he leads the association’s advocacy efforts for regulatory frameworks that enable innovative agricultural solutions to come to market in Canada. His unwavering dedication to advancing the shared interests of the agricultural sector is a testament to the leadership he will bring to his role as chair.

“I’m honoured to be part of an organization that represents the entire grains value chain and is a model for industry collaboration and coordination,” says Petelle, President and CEO of CropLife Canada. “The CGC represents a hugely important sector and plays a critical role in advancing our collective efforts on sustainability, food security and economic growth.”

Joining the CGC as vice-chair, Cherewyk is a highly respected leader in the Canadian pulse industry. He has over two-decades of experience at Pulse Canada, including his role as President. With a wealth of expertise in market development, trade policy and transportation, Cherewyk is well-equipped to help the CGC advance Canada’s grains industry. His leadership and commitment to advancing shared goals will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the continued success of the CGC and the grains sector at large.

“The pulse industry is fully committed to leveraging the power of partnerships, and the forum that the CGC provides to advance common grains sector interests is unparalleled,” says Greg Cherewyk, President of Pulse Canada.

“From issues that impact our industry at home to those that affect our ability to access priority markets around the world, we get further faster when we find ways to work together. It’s a privilege for me to be part of that constructive process to identify common ground and to find opportunities to reach consensus.”

CGC extends its gratitude to outgoing Chair Rick White for his service and commitment to Canada’s grain sector. The new Chair and Vice Chair look forward to working with the entire board to advance the collective interests of the industry. The CGC will continue with its efforts to promote collaboration and champion innovation to drive Canada’s agriculture industry forward.

For more information, please contact:

Sandra Filion
Vice President, Communications & Stakeholder Relations
Canada Grains Council
613-277-0109 | sandra@canadagrainscouncil.ca

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Canada Grains Council Raises Concerns Over Government’s Proposed Pesticide Measures

Cole's Ag on June 22, 2023

June 22, 2023 (Ottawa, ON)  –  The Canada Grains Council (CGC) has concerns about the federal government’s proposed pesticide measures and urges the government to ensure that its actions are based on scientific approaches to pesticide regulation.

“The CGC welcomes the government’s recognition of the importance of science-based pesticide regulations, aligned with Canada’s input at COP15,” says Erin Gowriluk, CGC President. “We must ensure robust decision-making firmly rooted in scientific evidence. By prioritizing evidence-based approaches, we can enhance environmental stewardship and maintain a strong relationship between scientists and policymakers.

Erin Gowriluk, President of CGC, commends the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food’s recognition of the importance of pesticides to food production and security. Gowriluk states, ” We are pleased with the Minister’s recognition of the connection between crop protection and environmental sustainability, as well as the positive impact of conservation tillage methods on carbon sequestration. Canada’s commitment to science-based regulation of crop protection tools demonstrates our dedication to their safe and effective use.”

However, two critical aspects of the government’s announcement contrast with this. The decision to maintain the ‘pause’ on MRL increases appears to be driven by public opinion rather than scientific evidence. Gowriluk explains, “It is difficult to discern any scientific justification for temporarily pausing MRL increases. By persisting with the pause, there is an increasing risk of Canada’s trading partners perceiving it as an intrusion of ideology into policymaking, contradicting our message to other countries. Consistent and science-based regulation is essential for all food shipments, including the substantial quantities of grain Canada, supplies to the world.

Public confidence in regulators relies on consistency between the government’s words and actions. After almost two years of portraying the pause as a temporary measure, the government has now indicated a gradual resumption of MRL increases where deemed necessary, along with implementing a cosmetic pesticide ban on federal lands. These actions have the potential to undermine the government’s explicit recognition that pesticide uses in Canada undergo rigorous testing and assessment to ensure they are safe and pose no unacceptable risks to human health or the environment.

The significance of evidence-based policies that strike a balance between the agricultural sector’s needs and environmental sustainability cannot be overstated. CGC remains committed to collaborating with government officials, industry stakeholders, and scientific experts to develop practical and well-informed pesticide regulations that inspire public confidence and adhere to rigorous scientific standards.

For more information, please contact:

Sandra Filion
Vice President, Communications & Stakeholder Relations
Canada Grains Council
613-277-0109 | sandra@canadagrainscouncil.ca

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Canada Grains Council Supports Canada’s Participation in CUSMA Consultations with Mexico, Aims for Science-Based Regulation

Cole's Ag on June 9, 2023

June 9, 2023 (OTTAWA, ON)  –  The Canada Grains Council (CGC) commends the Government of Canada for participating in dispute settlement consultations initiated by the United States (US) last week under the Canada-US-Mexico-Agreement (CUSMA). The CGC is pleased that Canada is taking a strong stand on science-based regulation and rules-based trade.

In February 2023, Mexico re-issued a Presidential Decree that, among other provisions, called for a ban on the use of genetically-modified corn in food and cast uncertainty on the future acceptance of other types of agricultural innovations.

“Farmers need plant science innovations to help them tackle the climate crisis, address food security challenges and remain competitive,” says Krista Thomas, Vice-President of Seed Innovation and Trade Policy for the Canada Grains Council. “Without predictable regulatory systems, it is much harder to get innovation into the hands of farmers.”

Mexico’s decision to ban products with a proven record of safety has far-reaching consequences. Canadian farmers depend on these tools, which play a crucial role in sequestering over 11 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in their soil annually, promoting environmental sustainability, explains Thomas. “Unfortunately, the introduction of Mexico’s Decree has injected uncertainty into North American markets. If this measure is not withdrawn, it has the potential to trigger food price inflation and undermine food security within the intricate supply chains of North America.”

Given these concerns, Thomas concludes, “The grain sector is hopeful the upcoming consultations with Mexico will lead to a quick resolution, without disruption to North American markets or increased risk to food security.”

Canada, the United States and Mexico make up the largest regional trading block in the world, supporting millions of jobs and workers. The CGC recognizes the ongoing efforts by governments to return to a predictable regulatory environment that will support farmers, supply chain resiliency, and predictable trade.

For more information, please contact:

Sandra Filion
Vice President, Communications & Stakeholder Relations
Canada Grains Council
613-277-0109 | sandra@canadagrainscouncil.ca

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Canada Grains Council Commends Launch of Canada Water Agency

Cole's Ag on May 25, 2023

Ottawa, ON (May 25, 2023)  –  The Canada Grains Council (CGC) commends the Government of Canada for fulfilling their Budget 2023 investment by supporting the Canada Water Agency, a significant step towards keeping our water safe, clean and healthy.

CGC supports the federal government’s ongoing work toward data-driven, science-based decision-making that safeguards the environment and Canadians’ well-being while supporting food production.

“Canadians rely on a safe and secure water supply,” emphasizes Rick White, Chair of the Canada Grains Council. “With the establishment of the Canada Water Agency, we have an opportunity to gather concrete evidence regarding the effectiveness of on-farm stewardship practices. This will enable us to prioritize decision-making based on robust scientific data.”

Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the Canada Water Agency will play a role as a central hub, uniting stakeholders and jurisdictions to facilitate water resource management. By establishing a centralized platform for information, research, and data coordination, the agency will foster collaboration and policies based on robust data.

“Accurate water data plays a pivotal role in establishing a regulatory framework that bolsters Canada’s commitment to global food security,” emphasizes Erin Gowriluk, President of the Canada Grains Council. “As one of the key players among the seven nations responsible for 80 percent of global grain exports, Canada’s leadership is evident. By leveraging data-driven scientific decisions, Canada can continue to feed a growing global population while safeguarding public health and the environment.”

CGC is fully committed to actively engaging with the Canada Water Agency, working closely alongside industry stakeholders to ensure the sound implementation of its initiatives. CGC eagerly anticipates direct consultation on operational details and evaluation of impacts through value chain members, enabling a comprehensive and meaningful assessment.

For more information, please contact:

Sandra Filion
Vice President, Communications & Stakeholder Relations
Canada Grains Council
613-277-0109 | sandra@canadagrainscouncil.ca

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CFIA Announces New Guidelines for Plant Breeding Innovation, Paving the Way for Sustainable Crop Advancements

Cole's Ag on May 3, 2023

Ottawa, ON (May 3rd 2023) Today, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) released its updated guidance on plant breeding innovation, bringing a close to a consultation process launched in 2021. The guidance covers the environmental safety of plants developed using gene editing and is grounded in the same science that informed Health Canada’s food safety guidelines last year. These pieces help pave the way for Canadian farmers to have faster access to improved plant varieties.

“The CFIA’s updated guidance helps Canada stay competitive on the global stage,” says Krista Thomas, Vice President of Seed Innovation for the Canada Grains Council. “Many of our trading partners have already adopted similar science-based policies, and farmers outside of Canada have been growing gene edited crops since 2015. When we let the science be the core of regulatory decision making, we know that the end result can be trusted and is safe.”

Gene editing, with its ability to improve plant characteristics quickly and precisely, can potentially reduce the use of water, pesticides, fertilizers, land, and other resources in crop production.

“Innovations like gene-edited crops can help farmers adapt to changing climate conditions and pest pressures while continuing to produce safe, high-quality food for Canadians and consumers worldwide,” says Rick White, Chair of the Canada Grains Council. “Farmers are eager to have access to these new plant varieties and look forward to welcoming them to the Canadian marketplace.”

As new seed innovations are developed and grown in Canada, maintaining market choice is critically important for Canada’s grain sector. Comprehensive and best-in-class government and industry transparency tools are in place, ensuring that all farmers can verify when their seed was developed using gene editing and pass that information along the value chain as needed.  

“The reality is, whether it’s a seed company, a grower, or an exporter, everyone shares a vested interest in prioritizing transparency,” Krista explains. “Canada has world-leading transparency initiatives that will continue to allow us to meet our customer’s needs and deliver market choice.” 

CFIA’s new guidelines on plant breeding innovation will bolster Canada’s competitiveness in crop innovation and put more tools into the hands of farmers to contend with climate change, mounting pest pressures and an evolving marketplace. These guidelines pave the way for sustainable productivity growth and support Canada’s agricultural sector in meeting the challenges of the future.

Additional Background:

A letter endorsed by 58 organizations that represent over 190,000 Canadian farm families and Canada’s grain and horticulture value chains was sent to the Prime Minister in January, demonstrating the broad agriculture community’s support for the publication of CFIA’s guidance on plant breeding innovation.

For more information, please contact:

Sandra Filion
Vice President, Communications & Stakeholder Relations
Canada Grains Council
613-277-0109 | sandra@canadagrainscouncil.ca

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