Editing Flax (section)

==Genetically modified flax contamination==
[[File:Flax Plants.jpg|thumb|Small flax plants]]

In September 2009, Canadian flax exports reportedly had been contaminated by a deregistered [[genetically modified]] cultivar called 'Triffid' that had food and feed safety approval in Canada and the U.S.<ref name="twp" /><ref name="cdc" /> Canadian growers and the Flax Council of Canada raised concerns about the marketability of this cultivar in Europe where a [[zero tolerance]] policy exists regarding unapproved [[genetically modified organism]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 January 2010 |title=Canada moves to revive flax exports after GMO flap |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/flax-canada-gmo-idUSN0824305620100108 |url-status=live |access-date=11 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509120442/http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/01/08/flax-canada-gmo-idUSN0824305620100108 |archive-date=9 May 2013}}</ref> Consequently, Triffid was deregistered in 2010 and never grown commercially in Canada or the U.S.<ref name="cbc">{{Cite web |date=20 January 2010 |title=Triffid seed threatens flax industry |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/triffid-seed-threatens-flax-industry-1.898128 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201042722/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/triffid-seed-threatens-flax-industry-1.898128 |archive-date=1 February 2016 |access-date=11 January 2016 |publisher=CBC News}}</ref> Triffid stores were destroyed, but future exports and further tests at the [[University of Saskatchewan]] proved that Triffid persisted in at least two Canadian flax varieties, possibly affecting future crops.<ref name=cbc/> Canadian flax seed cultivars were reconstituted with Triffid-free seed used to plant the 2014 crop.<ref name="twp">{{Cite web |date=11 January 2013 |title=Flax growers try to flush Triffid from system |url=http://www.producer.com/2013/01/flax-growers-try-to-flush-triffid-from-system%E2%80%A9/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217015854/http://www.producer.com/2013/01/flax-growers-try-to-flush-triffid-from-system%E2%80%A9/ |archive-date=17 February 2016 |access-date=11 January 2016 |publisher=The Western Producer}}</ref> Laboratories are certified to test for the presence of Triffid at a level of one seed in 10,000.<ref name="cdc">{{Cite web |date=28 April 2014 |title=Sampling and Testing Protocol for Canadian Flaxseed Exported to the European Union |url=http://www.grainscanada.gc.ca/gmflax-lingm/stpf-peevl-en.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151014045315/http://www.grainscanada.gc.ca/gmflax-lingm/stpf-peevl-en.pdf |archive-date=14 October 2015 |access-date=11 January 2016 |publisher=Canadian Grain Commission}}</ref>