Scientists in this country try to reassure
off-shore customers that Canada
is diligent in protecting food. However,
even reassurances from Canada’s Pest
Management Regulatory Agency, which
is recognized by most importing countries
as a world leader when it comes to
science-based rules, may not be enough
if rules are being driven by consumer
perceptions. Meanwhile, internationally,
Canada’s customers may not have the
means to keep up with the rapid changes
in technology, leaving products approved
here, but not in other countries.
This is sometimes the reason
shipments are turned back because
unapproved residue is identified in
the receiving country, even if the shipment
is fully compliant with Canada’s
stringent rules on pesticide residues
– which it almost certainly will be, as
Canada has one of the highest levels of
compliance globally.
“The need for the work being done
by the Grains Council is increasing,”
admitted Gord Kurbis, vice-president of
trade policy-crop protection at CGC. “We
want markets to stay open, but farmers
need technology and innovation. If we
lose markets as a result of these factors,
it will have a huge effect on the industry.”
What will loss of markets mean
to food security around the world and
how will those losses adversely affect
Canadian agriculture? Kurbis says
many of the limits to market access are
the result of governments not talking
to each other. They might also be set by
governments bending to non-sciencebased
consumer pressure rather
than relying on science to determine
safe levels.
In addition, some countries are testing
for finer and finer trace amounts of
residue leading towards zero tolerance.
“Governments tend to follow sciencebased
rules, but if consumers start to
pressure governments, we could start to
lose technology like we’re starting to see
in Europe,” explained Kurbis.
If this happens, world food security
could be in jeopardy.
“There will always be technology
and innovation in agriculture, but perceptions
mean that we can’t take consumer
acceptance for granted. And we
can’t afford to lose tools when we’ll need
to feed nine billion.”
To mitigate the stress on Canada’s
food production system, Kurbis says
the entire production chain from field
to parliament needs to work together.
Growers, more than ever, need to use
technology properly and wisely to ensure
threats to it are minimized.
Off-label uses cannot be tolerated
and tweaking label recommendations
could jeopardize the perceived safety
of Canada’s food. While it is impossible
Canada’s exports are
turned away somewhere
in the world annually
and the reasons may
be highly political.
Photo courtesy of Pulse Canada.
TECHNOLOGY THREAT
Container ship carrying pulses to offshore markets
12 § Manitoba Farmers’ Voice § Fall 2019