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Hot spots for wheat midge in Saskatchewan

Wheat midge may pose a problem for some growers in Saskatchewan this year.

The Ministry of Agriculture Wheat Midge map shows potential hot spots for the pest.

Saskatchewan Seed Growers Association President Kurt Printz said the areas of concern are largely on the eastern side of the province. He said this an increase compared to last year’s growing season.

Wheat is making this year challenging is the loss of products to control the pest. In particular, the active ingredient that is found in Lorsban and Citadel.

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Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.