Ottawa, Ont. (Rural Roots Canada) – A long-standing testing requirement for Canadian flaxseed exports to the European Union will end May 1, removing added costs and paperwork for producers and exporters.
The sampling and testing protocol, introduced in 2009, was put in place after trace amounts of an unauthorized genetically modified flaxseed variety, known as CDC Triffid, were detected in a shipment to Europe, temporarily halting exports.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada worked with the Canadian Grain Commission, industry and EU officials to develop the protocol, allowing trade to resume. Industry also took steps to remove CDC Triffid from Canadian supply chains.
After more than a decade of testing with no further detections, Canada formally requested that the protocol be dropped in 2024. The European Union accepted the request earlier this year.
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The change is expected to reduce costs for Canadian flaxseed exporters, who have faced additional requirements not imposed on competitors. Canada exported $229.7 million worth of flaxseed in 2025, including $73.6 million to EU countries.
Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald said the decision reflects confidence in Canada’s export system and strengthens trade ties with Europe.
“Thanks to Canada’s producers and processors, we are known globally for the quality, safety and reliability of our food exports,” he said in a statement.
Canada is among the world’s largest flaxseed producers and exporters. In 2025, about 251,000 hectares were seeded to flaxseed, with production reaching 454,461 tonnes.
The European Union is now Canada’s third-largest market for agriculture and agri-food exports. In 2025, Canada exported $6.2 billion in agri-food products to the EU, out of $92.8 billion globally.
