Oat Division Minutes – October 7, 2011

Mr. Jackson has asked for feedback from oat millers on their prioritized list of six most desired traits, e.g. beta glucan levels, protein, farm yield, etc. This information will help identify objectives for the oat breeders. Those present agreed to compile their own list of most desired traits and provide that to Ms. Lehman, who will aggregate the lists and forward to Eric Jackson.

Mr. Schwein asked for a one page briefing paper that describes the oat research project and the success that has exceeded expectations so far.  NAMA staff will follow up on this request.

Mr. Roskens discussed receiving media inquiries on the possible impact on Canadian oat plantings should the Canadian Wheat Board lose its monopoly status as is planned by the current government administration.

• Health Canada’s (HC) position on desired maximum limits on OTA remain unchanged.
• HC believes there remains insufficient data on DON levels from developing countries.
• HC wants maximum limits and supply chain changes to address mycotoxins.  This includes changes in production practices such as abandoning minimum till and no till practices in favor of a return to plowing of fields. The millers present agreed that this desire is very unlikely to be achieved due to the very positive impact low/no tillage practices have had, particularly on environmentally sensitive land.
• An industry coalition including the Canadian Grains Commission and grain grower groups is jointly supporting substantial research on the topic including storage studies and genetic mapping of mycotoxins.
• HC is using CFIA to collect on-farm oat samples to conduct a three-year study of on-farm storage practices. Early results show a high number of OTA positive samples in the 3-5ppb range.
• The oat/OTA samples have been provided to Tom Whittaker who will generate Operating Characteristic (OC) curves to inform discussions about sampling and testing outcomes.
• HC may be re-thinking the need for maximum mycotoxin limits on raw grain (as is the case with DON guidelines in the U.S. where no limit has been set on raw grain).
• Canadian National Millers Association, Canadian Bakers Association and others are lobbying their government to amend Sec. 4 of the Canadian Foods Act to be more like the U.S.’ Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
• Mr. Harrison described the possibility of an oat/OTA processing study. He believes the current system produces both sampling error and analytical errors that compound and produce results that are meaningless in the context of health considerations. He will seek a proposal for the work from the University of Guelph and provide it to NAMA.

Mr. Bair described conversations he has had with representatives of the government of Canada where he urged them to consider that it would be in Canada’s economic interest to harmonize mycotoxin standards with its largest trading partner – the U.S. – rather than attempting to harmonize with unrealistic E.U. standards.

Mr. Roskens stated that the annual meeting of the Prairie Oat Growers Association would be held December 1 in Winnipeg, MB.

Mr. Roskens reminded the group that research being done by Dr. Fred Kolb at the University of Illinois on barley yellow dwarf virus research is slated to lose federal funding. It is important work that assists the oat research programs throughout North America. Bruce offered to discuss with Kolb the possibility of continuing the research with some NAMA oat division funding, and the group agreed.

Respectfully submitted,

James Bair
NAMA Vice President