After five years of consultation, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has unveiled its long-awaited Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) policy paper — and Seeds Canada says it’s not the modernization the industry was promised.
The document, titled Future-proofing Canada’s Seeds Regulations for a stronger tomorrow – Proposals to modernize Canada’s seed regulatory framework, outlines CFIA’s proposed amendments to Canada’s seed regulatory framework. While some aspects are welcomed, Seeds Canada warns that the plan falls short of delivering meaningful change for farmers and the seed industry.
“Unfortunately, given the time and resources invested over the last five years, and the promises made with regards to the impact of the process at its inception, the proposed amendments that are detailed in the policy paper do not satisfy the industry’s need for modernization,” the association says in a statement. “When viewed under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new lens of regulatory transformation, the SRM proposal lands far from hitting the mark.”
Advisory Committee Recognized — But Not Enough
Seeds Canada says it’s pleased that the CFIA has recognized the value of an external seed advisory committee with balanced representation across the value chain — an idea the organization first proposed in 2022 under the banner of the Independent Standards Setting Body (ISSB). In 2025, Seeds Canada and the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association jointly endorsed the concept, envisioning the body as a forum for advising on policy, services, and standards related to the commercialization and sale of seed.
Seeds Canada now wants to see that committee not only established, but also given a role in shaping future amendments made through incorporation by reference — a process the policy paper proposes to add, allowing more flexibility in updating regulations.
“Incorporating portions of the regulations by reference introduces much-needed agility into the regulatory framework, a change welcomed by the seed sector,” the association says. “Seeds Canada recommends that the external seed advisory committee be actively involved in identifying when amendments are necessary and guiding how those changes are implemented.”
A Plan Heavy on “Exploration,” Light on Action
While the policy document includes proposals to explore further changes down the road, Seeds Canada criticized this approach, noting that such explorations could have been undertaken during the past five years. “Exploration will not guarantee change and cannot be considered to contribute to [the] regulatory modernization process,” the statement reads.
The association also questions claims about reducing regulatory burden, saying some reductions are overstated while new burdens are introduced elsewhere.
Not the Final Word
Seeds Canada is urging the federal government to keep seed regulation reform on the table.
“The policy document’s proposed changes fall short of meaningfully improving farmers’ access to seed or reducing seed costs through regulatory streamlining,” the statement goes on to say. “Seeds Canada urges the government not to consider the modernization of the seed regulatory framework complete with the publication of this document or the conclusion of the formal Seed Regulatory Modernization process.”
Members are being encouraged to review the policy paper and submit feedback to CFIA before the Oct. 3 deadline. “Seed is an essential input in the agricultural value chain and a key contributor to competitiveness and sustainability of our industry. Reducing the regulatory burden of getting innovation into the hands of the farmer customer is critical for the value chain’s success.”
