WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBLE GRAIN CODE OF PRACTICE?

The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops (CRSC) is leading the development of a voluntary grain industry Code of Practice. The draft code, “Responsible Grain”, includes both required and recommended practices to be followed by Canadian farmers. The CRSC is now seeking input directly from farmers across Canada. Feedback generated will be reviewed by the CRSC to ensure the code is practical and widely adoptable by Canadian farmers.

RESPONSIBLE GRAIN

What pulse growers need to know about the draft code.

There are several modules in the code, each having a direct impact on your farm operation.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR PULSE GROWERS?

Pulse Canada and members' staff have conducted a thorough review of the draft code. We encourage you to review our interpretation and feedback.

We will provide access to the pulse-specific workspace where you can complete a survey and provide additional feedback.

HOW CAN YOU BE HEARD?

The Canadian pulse industry has committed to being an active participant in providing feedback directly from growers. To get involved, pulse growers can:

REVIEW THE DRAFT CODE

READ THE PULSE INDUSTRY ANALYSIS

CONTACT US FOR A LINK TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK

OUR APPROACH

The pulse sector takes sustainability seriously. We believe that nutritious and sustainable food is the future; and for over a decade we’ve been making investments across the value chain to ensure our industry is well positioned to meet the growing sustainability expectations of domestic and global customers.  There is no doubt that demand for food that is nutritious and sustainable will create incredible growth opportunities for the Canadian pulse industry.  Pulse Canada is focused on developing the most effective and targeted tools to encourage the entire value chain to take advantage of these real market demands in the most cost competitive way.

FOLLOW PULSE CANADA ON TWITTER FOR MORE INDUSTRY NEWS.

Pulse Canada and its Member organizations approached our assessment of Responsible Grain and its modules by focusing on 4 key principles:

1. Solutions should be demand-driven.

2. Solutions should provide real economic value to pulse producers and the value chain.

3. Solutions should provide Canadian pulse producers with a true competitive edge in domestic and global markets that have sustainability requirements.

4. Solutions should not include new regulations for farmers that are not already a common practice or directly tied to a market demand, unless there is a clear consensus among pulse producers.

We encourage members to review Responsible Grain: Standards for Canadian Farms and consider how the code will, or could in the future, drive economic value for their farm. As part of the review, we ask farmers to consider the following questions:

• Are there any Requirements in modules that are not tied to a current regulatory requirement or a common operational practice?

• Can the Requirements in the modules be met every year, and by all Canadian grain farmers, to ensure Responsible Grain can be consistently marketed with confidence to buyers and consumers?
  
  
• Will adhering to Responsible Grain provide net economic value to my farming operation?
  
  
• Will documenting whether my farm is adhering to Responsible Grain, in the event it becomes a requirement in a production contract, increase costs?
  
  
• Will the practices outlined in the modules improve the sustainability of my farm and help market my grain?
  
  
• Am I aware of Canadian or international customers that have expressed demand for these types of standards?

• Is there an opportunity to achieve an industry-wide consensus by making a practice an industry-imposed Requirement?

Ready to get involved?