Grain sector warns of information gaps in AAFC research reductions, calls for immediate program impact disclosure
Feb. 6, 2026 (Ottawa, Ont.)—Grain Growers of Canada is calling on the federal government to provide clarity on the impacts of recent staffing reductions and announced closures or consolidations of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research facilities, stating that downstream consequences cannot be assessed without clear, program-level information.
“Transparency is essential when decisions affect the foundation of Canada’s agricultural research system,” said Scott Hepworth, chair of Grain Growers of Canada and Saskatchewan grain farmer.
“Without clear disclosure of what research capacity is being reduced or eliminated, the sector cannot understand the long-term risks to production and competitiveness,” he added. “It must be clear what capacity is being lost, where, and with what consequences.”
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has cited personnel confidentiality in limiting details on the announced changes. Grain Growers of Canada emphasized that while personnel confidentiality must be respected, it does not, and should not, prevent disclosure of which programs and research capacities are being impacted.
“Personnel confidentiality is not a barrier to clarity on program impacts,” Hepworth said. “Clarity of affected programs, facilities, and research capacity is both possible and necessary.”
The scale and pace of the announced reductions are raising serious concerns across the grain sector about long-term impacts on research capacity, regional expertise, and innovation pipelines. Decisions of this magnitude require clear impact assessments explaining how applied breeding programs, agronomic research, long-term datasets, and region-specific expertise were evaluated.
“The absence of clear information shifts risk directly onto the sector,” Hepworth said. “When institutional knowledge is lost, long-term datasets are broken, or regional research expertise disappears, those losses cannot simply be reversed, and the consequences will be felt long after these decisions are made.”
Grain Growers of Canada stressed that the release of timely, detailed information is essential. Early certainty around affected facilities, programs, and timelines would allow research partners and producer organizations to respond, mitigate disruption, and protect the integrity of ongoing research and production cycles.
Grain Growers of Canada is calling for immediate disclosure of affected programs, facilities, and research capacity, and will continue to engage with government to ensure decisions affecting
Canada’s agricultural research system do not undermine its global competitiveness, long-term viability, or farmers’ livelihoods.
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About Grain Growers of Canada (GGC):
As the national voice for Canada’s grain farmers, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) represents over 100,000 producers through our 15 national, provincial and regional grower groups. Our members steward 120 million acres of land to grow food for Canadians and for 160 countries around the world, creating $45 billion in export value annually. As the farmer-driven association for the grains sector, GGC champions federal policies that support the competitiveness and profitability of grain growers across Canada.
For more information, please contact:
Hana Sabah
Senior Communications Manager
Grain Growers of Canada
514-834-8841 | hana@graingrowers.ca
