Transition Has Been Smooth For Manitoba Crop Alliance

It's been about a month since the official launch of the Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA).

 

Pam de Rocquigny is Chief Executive Officer.

 

"We've transitioned very smoothly from the five founding organizations of the Manitoba Crop Alliance to the new organization and I think that just speaks to already the level of collaboration and how much the groups where already working together prior to the amalgamation," she commented. "Things have gone really smoothly, we have lots of information that's out there for our members in case they're wanting to know more about what we're up to."

 

The MCA is now seeking nominations to fill delegate positions on each of its four Crop Committees.

 

The nomination period opens on September 1 and closes October 30th.

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.