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Peas and lentils no longer exempt from variety registration requirements

The Canadian Grain Commission is updating the way peas and lentils are graded. Effective August 1, 2019, only registered varieties of peas and lentils will be eligible for No. 1 Canada, the highest grade available for Canadian crops.

In previous years, the Canadian Grain Commission exempted peas and lentils from variety registration requirements to allow producers to take advantage of new varieties that were not yet registered. The majority of the peas and lentils grown in Canada have now completed the variety registration process and exemption is no longer necessary.

All varieties of peas and lentils (both registered and unregistered) delivered on or before July 31, 2019, will be eligible for No. 1 Canada, the highest grade established by regulation. Beginning August 1, 2019, unregistered varieties of peas and lentils will only be eligible for No. 3 Canada, the lowest grade established by regulation.

The Canada Grain Act requires any deliveries of unregistered varieties to be assigned the lowest grade available for that crop, except where exempted by order of the Canadian Grain Commission.

By growing registered varieties, farmers ensure that Canada maintains a competitive advantage by producing high quality crops with consistent end-use properties. The Canadian Grain Commission consulted with sector stakeholders, through the Western and Eastern Standards Committees, prior to implementing these changes.