b'per cent of Canadian pulse production, or 2 million tonnes of pulses, into new markets and use categories by the year 2025. The strategy is focused on developing inroads into food and pet food manufacturing, processing, and food service industries in markets with the greatest volume potential for pulse ingredients, explains Ross.Finding new opportunities for Canadian pulses is critical given the uncertainty we face in markets weve relied on for decades. The growing demand for plant protein and interest in sustainability in markets like the U.S. and Europe present exciting new opportunities for Canadian pulses.As well, Pulse Canada is working with others to improve access to the Indian marketplace. Were working with other pulse-producing nations to try and insert predictability and transparency into Indias policy decisions. That is being done through the Global Pulse Confederation and their relationships with various government bodies in India, says Ross. We also are experiencing a technical barrier with India as pulse imports from all origins are required to be fumigated prior to arrival in India or be subject to additional charges. We feel this measure is technically unjustified due to Canadas demonstrated ability to consistently meet Indias technicalBrian Innes is the vice-president of public affairs for the Canola Council of requirements without the need for fumigation. That is a science- Canada.PHOTO: CANOLA COUNCIL OF CANADAbased issue and were seeking a science-based solution for it, with Canada dealing with India on a bilateral basis. Another example of the Canola Councils market access Dahl highlights a few examples of Cereals Canadas ongoingefforts, is we bring together our exporters and our customers in efforts to enhance market access for cereals. Were workingforeign markets so we can increase understanding and help our with Global Affairs Canada and our embassies abroad as well ascustomers work with their governments to promote stable trade. the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Canadian GrainWe have done that in Japan for over 40 years. Weve done that Commission to address market issues and keep markets open,in China over the last number of years. And we just recently did he says.that in Korea in June, says Innes.We also work directly with regulators in our importingThe Canola Council, Cereals Canada and Pulse Canada are countries and with industries in those countries. For instance,also involved in various other strategies that contribute to we just had a visit from Peruvian regulators to audit theimproving market access. For example, they monitor pesticide Canadian [grain] systemstarting with the farm and goingresidue requirements in different markets and work with through the handling and country elevators and terminalcrop protection companies to address potential market risks. elevators and the regulatory system. Hopefully that will helpAnd they work with the Canadian government to encourage lead to a resolution of the issues with Peru.more consistent review processes and standards for crop Dahl adds, We also have ongoing outreach with majorcommodities in international markets.customers. The annual New Crop Missions are an example of that, which we carry out with the Canadian International GrainsTraceability Increasingly ImportantInstitute and the Canadian Grain Commission. We visit our topTraceability and quality assurance systems are important customers, about 20 countries every year in about six weeks, tocomponents for ensuring ongoing market access. When review the quality, milling attributes and processing attributes ofit comes to the grain handling system, traceability is the the crop that is coming off.responsibility of the processors and exporters, explains Innes. The Canola Council works with the Canadian canola valueFor instance, to meet the food safety requirements in the United chain, the federal government and import partners to createStates, our processors have to be able to trace their products solutions to trade issues that meet the needs of all involved. Itthrough the system.is critical that we bring solutions to the table and work with ourAll the grain handlers keep records of where grain is coming customers and their governments to find ways to resolve marketfrom, so if there are issues, then we can address them very access issues and encourage stable trade of our products, saysquickly, and not have an entire market close on us, adds Dahl.Innes. Ross notes, In the global marketplace, consumers One example is the issue of blackleg on canola seed. Theincreasingly want more transparency to understand where blackleg issue was identified by a customer, and we worked withtheir product came from and how that product was grown. In our value chain to understand more about it. We implementedaddition to the regulatory oversight we already have here in solutions here in Canada, such as supporting research andCanada, the industry is ensuring their own quality assurance extension for improved blackleg management to help show theoversight along the entire value chain because that is what the customer how we are taking action to control the risk. end-user is looking for.24seed.ab.ca'