Serving up perspective on Canadian pasta
As a Canadian durum farmer and agronomist, I feel a responsibility to serve up some perspective on Marie-Claude Lortie’s recent article, “Is there pesticide in your spaghetti?” which ran in daily newspapers across Canada in late November.
The article suggests that Canada’s reputation as a trusted global supplier of durum wheat is at stake and questions the safety of Canadian durum. I would like to share some facts to assure pasta lovers there is no cause for concern.
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Globally renowned for its quality, consistency and safety, Canada Western Amber Durum is the second-leading wheat produced in Canada. Since 2017, 23 million tonnes of Canadian durum wheat were exported to 49 countries, making Canada the world’s leading exporter of durum.
In her article, Lortie suggests Canadian farmers improperly use crop protection products, putting the safety of our wheat at risk. However, farmers must adhere to strict rules and regulations to ensure their safe use. Government agencies like the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Pest Management Regulatory Agency, Health Canada and the Canadian Grain Commission, along with Cereals Canada, look to science-based regulations to confirm Canadian grains are safe to eat for Canadians and global customers.
Durum farmers like me take pride in the crops we grow. Our wheat feeds millions of people around the world, and producing a safe, wholesome crop is my No. 1 priority. All Canadian durum wheat sold globally passes Canadian testing and meets food safety standards of importing countries. If it didn’t, it would not be accepted.
Jake Leguee,
Weyburn, Sask.
