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Farmers asked to provide input on Responsible Grain code

January 27, 2021  By Top Crop Manager


The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops (CRSC) is in the process of developing a national Code of Practice (the Code) – entitled Responsible Grain – to address environmental sustainability in Canadian grain farming. A draft of the Code, intended to be voluntary and science-based, is now available and open for consultation.

The Code aims to address customers’ and consumers’ priorities and provide practical solutions to support the continued improvement of farms. Topics covered include soil and water management, nutrient management, pest and pesticide management, land use and wildlife, as well as a section related to health and wellness.

Consultations with farmers and industry stakeholders are currently taking place. Farmers from all provinces that grow grains, oilseeds and special crops have been asked to provide input on the Code. Consultations are set to end in February.

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“The thing that we need to remember is that we’re developing this in a draft form and that we are spending time for consultations across the country,” said Ted Menzies, chair of the Responsible Grain Code Development Committee, in a press release. “It’s very important that farmers are part of the building process, part of the input as to what makes sense on a farm – economically, environmentally, and socially.”

Due to continued meeting and travel restrictions, the consultations will be held virtually through web-based meetings and using an online feedback tool to gather input.

Commodity groups and other grain value chain organizations who wish to participate are asked to
contact the CRSC at info@responsiblegrain.ca. Individual grain farmers and stakeholders can get involved in the consultation by registering to access the feedback tool here.

For more information about the Code of Practice, visit responsiblegrain.ca.

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