| | AVAC is investing up to 5.3-million-dollars to kick start a 16-million-dollar agricultural research program that is focused on the development of new value-added canola and flax oils with enhanced health properties for use in foods and food preparation. This five-year Bioactive Oils Program has two distinct goals, both of which are targeted at creating new premium markets for Canadian farmers. The first takes direct aim at the food industry’s need for a cooking and baking oil that contains no trans fatty acids, but is naturally high in saturated fat. The second part of the program targets the development of flax seed lines with enhanced polyunsaturated fatty acids content. Dr. Wendy Lam, Investment Manager with AVAC, says canola and flax are economically significant crops that produce food oils with known health benefits. Lam adds improving the nutrient value of their oil will have a direct and positive impact on the western Canadian farm economy; and she says crops with specific end-use markets tend to attract premiums, something she expects will occur in this case.
The preceding is a transcript of the November 24, 2006 program. There may be some omissions due to last minute changes. For further information, contact Caitlynn Reesor at (780) 422-3981 or Ken Blackley at (780) 422-3951. |
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