FLAX DAY 2007

Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission
“Growing for the Market”
January 8, 2007
Saskatoon Inn
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Annual General Meeting

The Annual general Meeting of the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission was held in conjunction with Crop Production Week on Monday, January 8th, 2007 at the Saskatoon Inn.

Allen Kuhlmann, acting in his capacity as Chair of SaskFlax called the meeting to order. Proceeding adoption of the agenda, minutes of the 2006 AGM were read and approved. The Chairman and Committee Chairs reported on the year to date actions carried out by SFDC. The budget was approved as presented.

Immediately following the AGM, attendees heard updates on the activities and plans of Flax Canada 2015 (Kelley Fitzpatrick), Flax Council of Canada (Eric Fridfinnson) and AmeriFlax (Kaye Effertz).

The balance of the day focused on the theme, “Growing for the Market.”

The day’s presentations are available on the Crop Production Week website at http://www.cropweek.com.

In the tradition of Flax Day, participants were treated to a variety of flax dishes at the refreshment breaks and luncheon.

Producers will want to mark January 7, 2008 for the next annual general meeting – a day to network, ask questions and find out more about leading edge opportunities for Saskatchewan’s flax producers.

Resolutions from the AGM

Resolution #1 Director Renumeration

Whereas the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission is established as a development commission pursuant to section 5 of the Agri-Food Act:

Whereas the Commission consists of a Board of Directors consisting of six registered producers elected in accordance with sections 18 to 20 of the Act.

Whereas the remuneration to be paid to the members of the Commission is to be fixed by the registered producers at the annual meeting, and Whereas remuneration for previous fiscal years was $235.00 (Chair) and $155.00 (Directors).

Be it resolved that the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission rates of remuneration for its Directors is established at current rates of $235.00 (Chair) and $155.00 (Directors) for the fiscal year 2007/2008.

Resolution #2 Own Use Program

Whereas, the Own Use Program was established in 1993 with the express purpose of providing farmers “access to competitively-priced pesticides.”
And whereas once the program was made useful, the first product piloted under OUI proved to dramatically increase competition and reduce prices.
And whereas the coming era of generic crop protection products holds great promise for the OUI program to further increase price competition on inputs.
And whereas the existing OUI program recognizes that farmers must compete globally and not just with American farmers.
And whereas PMRA has created a great deal of uncertainty among farmers whether or not they will be allowed to access the OUI program for next season.

Therefore it be resolved,
1.      That the federal government should retain the existing Own Use Import Program.
2.      That if the government wishes to introduce a new program that the new program include opportunities that exist with the current OUI program.

Resolution #3 Voluntary Point of Sale Check-Off Royalties

Whereas Voluntary Point of Sale Check-Off has been used for Research and Development work of various commodities and

Whereas Royalties for Plant Breeder’s Rights (PBR) varieties have been collected at time of sale for varieties with PBR.

Therefore be it resolved that point of sale voluntary check-off continues to be used only for Research & Development and administration of the producer-run check-off.

And, be it further resolved that collection of royalties be excluded from point of sale check-offs.

Resolution #4 Public Breeding
Whereas, flax is experiencing significant interest for human, livestock, fiber and industrial oil uses and whereas flax faces strong competition for acres from other oilseeds as well as a range of agricultural crops.

Whereas, limited private commercial interest exists in developing new flax varieties and Saskatchewan flax producers want continued development of improved flax varieties.

Whereas , studies have shown that more income is returned to the farmer from public research versus private research.

Whereas, public funding for this activity seems to be waning and whereas, plant breeding is the foundation of the emerging bio-economy.

Be it resolved, that the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission strongly encourages Saskatchewan Agriculture & Food and Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada to continue to fund and to increase funding of flax variety development.