The Canadian Grain Commission says Canary seed will soon be designated an official grain under the Canada Grain Act.

The commission says the regulatory changes will be effective August first and is a response to producer requests and industry consultations.

Starting in the new crop year, producers will have the right for their Canary seed to be assessed for grade and dockage following official grading standards at time of delivery.

Farmers will have the right to dispute the grain assessment at a grain elevator, have grain commission payment safeguards and access to no-fee quality assessments through the harvest sample program from the grain commission.

A grading table for Canary seed and a moisture chart will be added to the federal agency’s website in July.

Chief Commissioner Doug Chorney says after some grain company failures it was clear regulatory safeguards were needed for Canary seed.

Saskatchewan accounts for 95 percent of Canada’s production and two-thirds of global trade.