Flax again, again and again

[oneoff]

The beauty of 'bloke's suggestion is that it makes perfect sense.
However at the AmeriFlax booth there were packets of roasted golden flax; and a nice larger bowl from which the treats were no doubt drawn. Even to a color blind individual; the red specks of off breed varieties were clearly evident. When asked who provided the golden flax; the answer given was that it was a registered seed grower. Another earlier comment was that Triffid was a golden flax variety. Its just makes a person think that North American industry has put our faith and future in the hands of common bumbling souls.
PS I was told that the USA had previously registered Triffid and later withdrawn the US registration; just as was done in Canada. Lets now see if someone does't push for keeping our admittedly contaminated flax out of the USA which is becoming increasingly "confident" that they don't have the same problem.

[oneoff]

I overlooked reporting what may be the most important feeling that the US industry may very well have. Several spokesperson said that they detected there may be some movement away from zero tolerance of GM materials in Europe in regards material such as in Triffid flax. When questioned as to why that would ever happen; every one of them seemed very firm in what thay had just said.
Also the US rails were clogged with Sask Grain Corp cars; Government of Canada, Province of Alberta cars and the CWB cars. There is a definate shortage of paint in tha USA too. Without a word of exaggeration; the three trains observed had at least two-thirds of the couple of hundred cars owned by the Canadian taxpayers. What were they being used for? and what companies were using them? Does anyone pay the owners? Who keeps track? and how could a person find out any of these answers? More questions with no answers. No wonder few can be bothered to care.

[oneoff]

AND HERE IT IS ALL NEATLY SUMMARIZED in the US Farm paper "AGWEEK" dated Jan 25/2010. John Duvenaud (publisher of "Wild Oats Grain Market Advisory" says


Winnipeg, Manitoba- European flax users are reeling from the closure of Canadian Flax imports after the discovery of the Triffid gene in German muffins. They operated on inventory for a few weeks, or closed, but are coming back to normal operations through American imports. American imports are not subject to the same degree of Triffid testing as Canadian imports. The American flax mostly comes from Canada or is replaced by Canadian imports.
US flax exports quadrupled after the Triifid episode, while imports from Canada doubled. Canadian exports have resumed, but few commercials risk sending a vessel. Shipments are mainly by container.
The trade floated a trial ballon in December that would have required all flax farmers to use certified seed to be able to sell to elevators. The same people who got every farmer to sign an affidavit attesting to their class of wheat, with unspecified liabilities, after the government got rid of KVD, must have thought this up. Turns out there are too may alternative flax buyers to enforce that. Still, most buyers do require that a farmers flax be tested for Triffid before delivery. The test costs a $100 dollars and takes three weeks, unless you pay $300 for a quick response.
The sobering conclusion of that extensive testing is that the Triffid gene is everywhere across the prairies including in pedigreed seed. If your flax tests negative, count yourself lucky and don't be sure your next test will pass. The trade has adapted. Flax without Triffid goes to Europe and, to a lesser extent, Brazil. Flax with Triffid goes to the United States. Trade is brisk at $8.50 per bushel.