b'KEEP IT CLEANGRAPHIC: KEEP IT CLEANConnecting the Export Chain from Seed to SeaThe Keep it Clean program connects all levels of crop production from life sciences companies to exporters in order to keep Canadian crops up to customer standards. THE MAJORITY OF the crops Canadian farmers grow areWhen it comes to the Canadian canola quality system, were exported internationally to markets which may have differentunique in the world in that we know the quality characteristics standards than Canada does. To keep these standards allof the canola we produce because in order for seed to be sold straight Canadian commodity groups have gathered together forin Canada it needs to be registered, Innes explains. When the Keep it Clean program. varieties are registered that means that they meet characteristics The key part about Keep it Clean is connecting the value chain.that are desirable for our customers.Everyone has a role to play in delivering high quality canola toOverall the program is meant to bring all levels of the supply our customers, Brian Innes, vice-president of public affairs forchain together in order to make sure everyone from crop the Canola Council of Canada (CCC), says in a phone interview. breeders to farmers to commodity exporters understand what Keep it Clean was originally started by the canola industryCanadas domestic and export customers need and want. about 15 years ago. Around 90 per cent of Canadian canola isThe essence is that were all in this together. What each exported and while biotech traits may have once been sold inplayer in the value chain does affects our ability to meet export Canada, it doesnt mean they are still approved in export markets.customers requirements, Innes says. The more we all do our Our calling card is that we are resilient, adaptable and reliablepart, the better value and less risk we have for our canola sector.supplier of canola, Innes says. When countries purchase ourRecently Pulse Canada, Cereals Canada, the Barley Council canola, they know what theyre going to get, and they can haveof Canada and the Prairie Oat Growers Association joined CCC confidence that it will continue to meet their requirements. to expand the program to cover more Canadian crops. Over When it comes to canola seed, Keep it Clean is important as it80 million tonnes of wheat, oats and barley are exported every instructs farmers to only grow registered varieties with diseaseyear, while 85 per cent of Canadas pulse crops are exported.resistance, specifically to blackleg. The Canadian seed industryThe other parts of Keep it Clean focus on using only accepted ensures registered varieties only contain biotech traits whichpesticides on crops, always reading and following the labels of are approved in export markets, Innes notes. The programproducts you use on your crops and storing your crop properly also highlights the importance of crop rotations in diseaseto keep it free of contaminants. prevention.Ashley Robinson46seed.ab.ca'