Livingstone-Macleod MLA, Roger Reid, is lending a helping hand to an Alberta-based company who's aim is to diversify the agriculture sector through food poppies.

Reid hosted API Labs from Lethbridge for meetings at the Legislature this week to help eliminate regulations around growing non-narcotic poppies the lab has developed for seed or pressed oil uses.

He says current regulations view all poppies as containing opioid, which is a burden API Labs has been trying to over come for ten years.

"Similar to the way that Health Canada has diversified classifications for cannabis and hemp related to THC concentrations, they're (API Labs) looking regulatory pieces which would allow them to do the same thing with the poppies."

Reid says there's a world wide shortage of poppy seeds, which can be produced anywhere canola is grown.

"There are a few countries in Europe and Australia that grow them, but because of drought and what not, demand is up and supply is down."

He explains reducing red tape and encouraging government departments to work together will allow the ag sector to diversify and respond quickly to trade troubles.

"Looking at the road blocks we're facing with canola right now with China, here's opportunities for local growers to be able to quickly switch a crop over with high demand and an available market."

They met with Alberta's Agriculture Minister, a Senior Policy Advisor from the Premier's office, the Associate Minister of Red Tape Reduction as well as Foothills MP, John Barlow, during their time in Edmonton.

 

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