CANOLA INNOVATION

The canola industry has always owed its success to innovation. That pioneering spirit led to the development of the plant through traditional breeding in the 1970s.

Today the industry continues to invest in new varieties that are expanding canola's profitability for farmers and promise to consumers.

Consumers can look forward to foods with enhanced nutritional qualities, improved methods of monitoring food safety and extended shelf life. For example, high oleic canola oil remains stable without hydrogenation, providing new opportunities to reduce trans fat in food. In the future, we can also expect to see other specialty canola products such as omega-3 enhanced canola.

For farmers, innovation means the crop is easier to grow, higher yields, greater hardiness under a wider range of conditions and better ways to prevent crops from being attacked by pests. It also means new market opportunities as farmers plant more specialty varieties developed to meet specific market needs.

Biotechnology is greatly accelerating these advances. GM or transgenic canola came on the scene in 1995, and quickly revolutionized the industry. With these new tools and a science-based regulatory regime, Canada is continuing to lead the world in responsible canola innovation.