Efforts are continuing to rid Canada’s pedigreed seed system of CDC Normandy and CDC Mons, two minor flax varieties that have been identified as possible sources of GM contamination.
The two varieties were identified as suspect late last year after tests conducted for the Crop Development Centre in Saskatoon revealed traces of genetically modified material in stocks of breeder seed that was used to develop the varieties.
Last week, seed organizations with distribution rights for the two varieties, SeCan Association and FP Genetics, contacted pedigreed seed growers across Western Canada in an effort to locate all remaining seed lots of Mons and Normandy.
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Pedigreed seed producers who grew the varieties have been contacted and any seed that is located will be retested for traces of genetically modified material and redirected into commercial grain markets.
The two varieties are slated for deregistration.
Todd Hyra, SeCan’s business manager for Western Canada, said his organization is satisfied that all remaining pedigreed stocks of Normandy have been located.
Hyra said approximately 20 tonnes of Normandy have been located.
“There were only three growers that had inventory and they (the varieties) hadn’t been grown for two years,” Hyra said.
“As quickly as we can, we’ll be working with the CFIA to have (Normandy) deregistered,” he added.
Commercial grain growers who bought pedigreed Normandy seed but didn’t use it are the only other possible source, Hyra added.
“That should be it for pedigreed seed unless some customers bought it a long time ago and are sitting on it.”
FP Genetics, which holds distribution rights for CDC Mons, went through a similar process last week.
Dorothy Murrell, CDC managing director, said removing Mons and Normandy from the pedigreed seed system will have little impact on pedigreed flax inventories.
“They’re not new products and they certainly don’t have much market share to speak of,” she said.
Murrell said Normandy was the more popular of the two varieties. Released about 15 years ago, it commanded about 14 percent of the Western Canadian market at the height of its popularity in the late 1990s.
Since it received positive results on Mons and Normandy about one month ago, the CDC has taken steps to test all breeder seed lots to a detection standard of 0.01 percent contamination, Murrell said.
She said removing Mons and Normandy from the pedigreed seed system is an important step in repairing Canada’s flax industry.
Equally important, she said, is ensuring that supplies of farm-saved flax seed are thoroughly tested.
Major players in the Canadian grain handling industry have stated that they will not handle any flax unless producers can provide proof that the crops were planted with pedigreed seed.
In addition, all flax delivered this fall will be tested for the presence of genetically modified material.
Folklore and customs
In addition to food and industrial uses, flax has been associated with less conventional uses:
- Flax seeds as a plug for drains: During the Manitoba flood of 1997, old-timers suggested making a temporary block for drains by partially filling a sock or pantyhose with flax seeds and dampening them with water. A string tied to the end of the sock or pantyhose eased removal. The water-soaked parcel expands, effectively sealing the opening into which it is placed.
- Linseed oil to prevent rust: A practice common among farmers is to coat shovels, axes and other implements with linseed oil to limit rust. Linseed oil seems to dry and seal the surface without running off or evaporating.
- Flax as a poultice for boils and skin abscesses: Roll about three tablespoons of flax seeds in a 15 centimetre square of clean, white cloth. Twist both ends tightly to contain the seeds. Holding the flax parcel by each of its two ends, dip the middle portion into a small bowl of boiling water. Wring it out, and place the poultice on the infected area. Cover it with a dry cloth. The flax seeds retain the heat, providing relief. Remove the poultice when it has cooled.
- Flax as a gel for hair: An Albertan says that when she was young, women used to boil flax seeds in water and then use the liquid as a setting gel for their hair. It apparently worked well.
