Date posted: March 15, 2006

Prairie Recommending Committee for Oilseeds

The Prairie Recommending Committee for Oilseeds evaluates candidate lines based on agronomic performance, disease resistance and end-use quality.

Key action

Formalizing independent committee. Last stages of modifications to operating procedures were discussed, as part of the transition of of the former Oilseeds Subcommittee into an independent recommending body, "the Prairie Recommending Committee for Oilseeds." Under the new procedures, the committee deals directly with the CFIA in recommending candidate cultivars of flax and condiment mustard for registration.

Variety Registration Office presentation. A presentation was given by the CFIA Variety Registration Office (VRO) on a preliminary proposal related to structural changes for the new committee. The CFIA expects to complete consultations on this preliminary proposal by end of March, 2006 and subject to the required approvals being received, commence consultations on a final proposal in April, 2006.

There are three elements to this proposal: the Consultative Framework, a Tiered Variety Registration System and Contract Registration, and options are being considered for each element.

• Consultative Framework. The preferred Consultative Framework would provide a permanent, inclusive mechanism for consultation on current and future crop specific issues and seed regulatory policy issues.
• Tiered System. The preferred option for a Tiered Variety Registration System would provide flexibility to respond to changing needs of crop kinds, while reducing obstacles to innovation, satisfying Canada's international obligations and maintaining confidence in the seed certification system.
• Contract Registration. The preferred option for Contract Registration is a risk-based system, which offers increased flexibility to accommodate varieties that would not otherwise be eligible for registration. It also offers improved regulatory enforcement.

Motion. In response to the presentation by the VRO, and concerning the Consultative Framework, a motion was put forward at the Oilseeds Subcommittee meeting and was supported by the membership. The motion reads, "Be it resolved that the PRCO, upon recognition by CFIA as a Recommending Committee for condiment mustard and flax petition to be the Crop Specific Consultative Group for these crop kinds."

Line recommended

FP2161. Linseed flax (L. usitatissimum). A brown-seeded Linseed flax line that, when compared to the check, Flanders, matures significantly earlier (-3.0 days) and is significantly higher yielding in the short growing season in the Black and Grey Soil Zone and similar yielding in the longer growing season in the Black and Grey Soil Zone.

FP 2161 has significantly larger seeds than Flanders, with similar lodging resistance, oil content and iodine number; and significantly higher protein (meal) content than Flanders when tested across western Canada. It is immune to rust, race 371 and has similar wilt resistance as that of Flanders and NorLin. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Morden, Man.

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