Biotech Updates

Canadian Government Invests in Ug99 Wheat Research

November 27, 2013

Canada's Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has announced an additional investment of CAD$ 1.26 million under the project Growing Forward 2 for an ongoing research to combat the wheat disease known as Ug99. The research is led by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).

Although Ug99 is not yet present in North America, AAFC scientists have been proactively working not only to protect Canada's wheat crops but also to help the global effort in protecting world wheat supplies. Through coordinated efforts, AAFC researchers will speed up the replacement of susceptible varieties with new varieties that are higher yielding and durably resistant to Ug99.

See the Government of Canada's news release at http://www.agr.gc.ca/cb/index_e.php?s1=n&s2=2013&page=n131120.