October 15, 2010
The Canadian Nursery and Landscape Association (CNLA) announced that on Sept. 23 it acquired the rights to a wide range of genetics from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) ornamental breeding programs at Morden Research Station in Manitoba and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research Station in Quebec.

These programs are famous for developing the internationally-recognized Explorer and Parkland series of prairie-hardy roses.

Michel Touchette, CNLA Research Chair, said “Canada’s wholesale industry will have access to important genetic material that has been developed by AAFC researchers.” Royalty fees paid by nursery growers on new plant varieties previously introduced by AAFC will be re-invested by the CNLA into the development of new plant varieties.

Rose genetic materials have been transferred to Vineland Research and Innovation Centre with research already underway.

CNLA has also partnered with the Canadian Ornamental Plant Foundation for the monitoring and collection of royalties on present and future new varieties.