Work Done Despite Calls for Pause
Organic research plots at the AAFC Swift Current Research and Development Centre were cultivated Thursday, a move critics say could permanently undermine Canada’s only federal organic and regenerative agriculture research program.
The work appears to be preparation for reseeding and comes despite ongoing calls for Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada to halt and reverse plans to close selected research facilities, farms, and programs.
Standing Committee Recommendations Overlooked
Deb Tuchelt, Executive Director of Sask Organics, says the timing is deeply troubling, particularly since the federal agriculture standing committee has already recommended preserving the program.
“The Agriculture Standing Committee published their report recommending to stop the closures of AAFC research facilities, as well as reconsider its decision to cancel the organic and regenerative program at Swift Current,” Tuchelt said. “But despite this, we’ve learned that the organic plots have been cultivated and are being prepared to be seeded over.”
Long‑Term Research at Risk
Tuchelt says disturbing the land now makes it impossible to properly wrap up ongoing research and compromises the long‑term value of the site.
“Any further actions on this land will make it impossible to complete the research that was already underway, including just soil testing to wrap up projects,” she said, adding that cultivating the plots also “destroys the value of the plots for future organic research.”
Federal Opposition Reacts to Timing
The issue has also drawn sharp criticism from John Barlow, Conservative Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada.
He finds the timing interesting as the organic plot cultivation happened just one day after he publicly renewed calls for the federal government to stop the closure process and reverse its decision.
“We certainly have not given up on trying to reverse the decision of the Agriculture Minister and the Liberal government to close the seven research centres and Canada’s only organic research program in Swift Current,” Barlow said.
Earlier this year, Ottawa announced plans to end the organic and regenerative program in Swift Current, and to close three research stations in Lacombe, Alberta, Quebec City, Quebec and Guelph, Ontario. Along with it comes the closure of satellite research farms at Scott and Indian Head, Saskatchewan, Portage La Prairie, Manitoba and Nappan, Nova Scotia.
Years of Data Could Be Lost
Barlow says once the plots are reseeded, the damage is permanent.
“Once those plots are reseeded, those plots can never be used for organic research again,” he said. “That 10 years of research and library of information that has been collected there will be lost.”
He also expressed concern that ongoing research did not have a chance to be completed.
“The plea from the organics sector was, at the very least, let them proceed with the research that’s ongoing there now,” Barlow said. “Don’t destroy the research and work that we’ve done this far, and just literally throw it in the trash.”
Calls to Halt Further Action
Tuchelt says Sask Organics is urging AAFC to immediately halt further activity on the plots and work with stakeholders on a reasonable transition plan that avoids irreversible harm.
“This decision compromises the program’s ability to complete ongoing projects, fulfill external commitments, and responsibly preserve scientific data and capacity,” she said.
As of press time, Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada had not responded to our request for comments or the House of Common's Agriculture Standing Committee Report which was tabled earlier this month.
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