October 9, 2009 (Saskatoon, SK) - The Honourable Bob Bjornerud, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Agriculture, is well aware of the difficult situation facing the province’s 10,000 flax growers. SaskFlax Directors Allen Kuhlman, Lyle Simonson and David Sefton along with Linda Braun, Executive Director, met with the Minister Bjornerud yesterday to discuss the latest developments and resolution strategies underway regarding the disruption of the EU flax market.

As flaxseed is Saskatchewan’s largest agricultural export to the EU ($257.2 M in 2008), recent European refusals to accept Canadian flax due to assertions of GM flax has serious ramifications for the province. Commission directors outlined industry actions to date, including:

• Collaborating with PBI and DNA Landmark laboratories on the scientific research needed to identify problems and develop testing protocols for existing Canadian flax stocks and new crop
• trade-to-trade negotiations
• government relations to re-establish the EU market for Canadian flax

“We want to thank the Ministry for its cooperative efforts to date and call on the Government of Saskatchewan for its continued support,” said Allen Kuhlmann, SaskFlax Chair. The Minister assured SaskFlax that the Government of Saskatchewan will work with our primary producers and industry through this difficult time.

Industry Profile available
The Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission, in cooperation with the Government of Saskatchewan, has developed an Industry Profile document with facts about the flax industry in this province. [click to load]

For more information, contact:

Linda Braun, Executive Director
Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission
Saskatoon, SK
Tel. 306-664-1901
Email: saskflax@saskflax.com