MADRID: They have convinced our consumers here that Canadian durum wheat is not a safe product to consume because of the presence of glyphosate. Unfortunately, our pasta makers are buying less durum wheat from Canada as a result.”
Since February, all dried pasta sold in Italy must have a label stating the origin of its durum wheat. The country-of-origin labelling regulation followed protests by Italian durum growers in a campaign organized by Italy’s biggest farm organization Coldiretti.
Italy had a large crop, and it’s able to source from France and other places as well,” he said. “It’s difficult to tell what will happen when these conditions change.”
Italy usually needs to import 30 to 40 per cent of its durum, said Laurenza.
“There are pasta makers who have contracts in place with Canadian farmers.