Saskatchewan Imposes Canaryseed Checkoff

REGINA - Mar 29/06 - SNS -- Regulations allowing the Canaryseed Development Commission of Saskatchewan (CDCS) to collect a refundable, but mandatory check off of CDN $1.75 per metric ton (MT) on canaryseed grown in the province have come into law.

The Government of Saskatchewan has approved the canaryseed plan under the Agri-Food Act, 2004.

Highlights of the new canaryseed check-off include:

a. The check-off is mandatory but refundable;

b. There will be two opportunities each year to apply for a refund;

c. The check-off is $1.75 per net tonne on commercial sales of canaryseed grown in Saskatchewan;

d. Canaryseed grown for planting seed will be exempt;

e. Start up date is May 1, 2006;

f. Starting with deliveries on May 1, 2006, growers will remain registered if they have sold canaryseed within the past 3 years.

Levy Central in Saskatoon has been hired to administer the check-off due to their experience and ability in this area. The CDCS office will be established in Saskatoon alongside the office of the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission and the Saskatchewan Mustard Development Commission. Both of these moves will considerably reduce the cost of administration to the CDCS. The CDCS office phone number is (306) 975-6624.

Canaryseed buyers have been notified of the new check-off and start-up instructions will be forwarded to them shortly.

The few individuals who established the canaryseed check-off said its purpose is to:

a. Support research into new markets including human consumption;

b. Support canaryseed research in plant breeding and agronomy;

c. Attract other development support such as Government funding only available with matching money;

d. Put growers in control.

According to the canaryseed plan, the Interim CDCS Board of Directors is comprised of the existing Board of Directors of the Canaryseed Association of Canada. The CAC is the organization that has spearheaded the move to a check-off. Ken Schikowski has been chosen as the Interim Chair, Andrew Schaefer as the Interim Vice-Chair, and Kevin Hursh as the Interim Treasurer. Full board elections for the CDCS will be held within the next 17 months.

In a series of meetings and tours in 2004 and 2005, the CAC discussed the check-off with producers and industry members. Using a secret ballot to survey growers at two meetings, CAC measured support for the check-off. The results indicated about 75% of those attended the meetings supported the check-off.