Canada to lift EU flaxseed testing requirement, ending long-standing trade barrier
By Your Southwest Media Group
Canada will no longer be required to test flaxseed shipments destined for the European Union, ending a protocol that has been in place since 2009 and removing a key non-tariff trade barrier for producers and exporters.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced that the Sampling and Testing Protocol for Canadian flaxseed exports to the EU will officially end May 1, 2026. The move reflects renewed confidence in the safety and reliability of Canadian agricultural products and signals stronger trade ties between Canada and the EU.
The protocol was introduced after trace amounts of an unauthorized genetically modified flaxseed variety, known as CDC Triffid, were detected in a shipment bound for Europe in July 2009. The discovery led to a temporary halt in exports and prompted the development of strict testing requirements to allow trade to resume.
Since then, federal officials, working alongside the Canadian Grain Commission and industry partners, have taken steps to eliminate CDC Triffid from Canadian supply chains. Over more than a decade of testing, no positive detections have been reported.
While the protocol allowed exports to continue, it also added costs and administrative burdens for Canadian exporters, putting them at a disadvantage compared to competitors. Following years of consistent test results, Canada formally requested the protocol’s removal in 2024, a request that has now been accepted by the EU.
Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald said the decision highlights Canada’s reputation for producing safe and reliable food products.
“Thanks to Canada’s producers and processors, we are known globally for the quality, safety and reliability of our food exports,” MacDonald said. “Increasing trade with our European partners means more opportunities for Canadian farmers and processors to grow their businesses, create good jobs, and build up our economy.”
Canada remains one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of flaxseed. In 2025, farmers seeded approximately 251,000 hectares, producing more than 454,000 metric tonnes. Flaxseed exports totalled $229.7 million, with $73.6 million shipped to EU markets.
Overall, Canada exported $92.8 billion in agriculture and agri-food products in 2025, with $6.2 billion going to EU countries, making the bloc Canada’s third-largest market.
The removal of the protocol is expected to improve competitiveness for Canadian exporters and open the door to expanded trade opportunities in Europe.