1. Canadian eastern wheat class modernization
Doug Chorney

2. Canadian eastern wheat class modernization
Proposal to develop a new eastern wheat class
Canada Eastern Special Purpose
As a follow-up to changes made to the wheat class system in 2016, the Canadian Grain Commission created a proposal to develop a Canada Eastern Special Purpose wheat class
This proposal was in response to stakeholder requests for more flexibility in Canada’s eastern wheat classes
A number of wheat varieties currently being brought forward for registration do not meet the quality criteria for the existing eastern wheat class
However, there are market opportunities for these varieties, which exhibit special or unique characteristics

3. Eastern wheat classes
As Canada’s grain quality assurance agency, we have the authority under the Canada Grain Act to designate varieties to a specific class
When a variety of wheat is registered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Canadian Grain Commission designates the new variety to a specific class of wheat

4. Wheat in eastern Canada
Quick summary of the wheat classes currently grown in eastern Canada
Ontario
Primarily Canada Eastern Soft Red Winter
Canada Eastern Hard Red Winter
Canada Eastern White Winter also grown
Quebec
Primarily Canada Eastern Red Spring
The Atlantic provinces
Canada Eastern Red Spring
Canada Eastern Soft Red Winter

5. Proposal to develop a Canada Eastern Special Purpose class
Objective
Address requests for innovative alternatives
Ensure wheat classes continue to meet wheat production, handling, marketing, processing and export needs
Provide marketing framework for maximizing returns throughout the value chain
The objective of the proposal was to:
add a new wheat class to address requests from eastern stakeholders for innovative alternatives to meet evolving wheat markets
ensure that eastern wheat classes continue to meet Canada’s wheat production, handling, marketing, processing and export needs
provide the appropriate marketing framework for maximizing returns throughout the entire value chain into the future

6. Proposal to develop a Canada Eastern Special Purpose class
The proposed class would:
have no quality parameters
require disease and agronomic data
include varieties that do not fit within the parameters of other Canadian eastern wheat classes

7. Stakeholder feedback 8 submissions received
Majority were not in favour
We will not be moving forward at this time
8 submissions were received during the consultation period from March 20 to May 20
Majority of stakeholders were not in favour
We will not be moving forward with the development of a Canada Eastern Special Purpose wheat class at this time
A summary of stakeholder feedback can be found on our website.

8. Next steps Review and evaluation of existing wheat class structure
Form a stakeholder working group
What are our next steps?
We will work in collaboration with eastern stakeholders to review and evaluate existing wheat class structure before implementing any changes
We plan to have a stakeholder working group in place for September 2017
In order for the working group to be effective, representation is needed from Quebec, Ontario, and Atlantic Canada
Information about how to participate is available on our website

9. Fusarium and DON
We are exploring ways of quickly analyzing DON levels in grain
Samples from the 2016 crop are being studied to review the relationship between Fusarium-damaged kernels and DON
Wheat grading
The examination of the grading system and grading factors is an ongoing project
Variety registration
CFIA is responsible for registering wheat varieties
Prairie Grain Development Committee (PDGC) subcommittees are responsible for the testing, evaluation, and recommending of grain crop candidate cultivars for registration in Western Canada