CSGA warns that without mandatory data, independent inspections, and smarter delegation, SRM risks missing the mark.
After five years of intense work, the CFIA’s Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) process has reached a critical milestone: the release of its policy paper and 52 proposals that could reshape Canada’s seed system.
People sometimes ask me, “When will we stop talking about SRM?” The truth is, SRM isn’t about an endpoint — it’s about building a system that can continually improve. And while this policy paper gives us the clearest sense yet of where we’re heading, the real work is only beginning.
What Success Looks Like
When CSGA entered this process five years ago, we had a clear vision of success—a modern seed system that is responsive, sector-led, and government-enabled. Those pillars became central to our CSGA 2.0 business plan in 2021, and I’m pleased to see much of that vision reflected in the CFIA’s recommendations.
Responsiveness is seen in proposals like incorporation by reference, which will allow Canada’s system to adapt more quickly as technologies like drones, genetic testing, and digital tools advance. Modernization is reflected in proposals to digitize imports and seed tags. And sector leadership is evident in opportunities for strategic delegation — where organizations like CSGA can take on tasks and deliver them more efficiently than government, while maintaining trust and accountability.
That’s progress. But as always, the devil is in the details.
Closing the Gaps
We can’t ignore the context: the CFIA, like every government department, has been asked to do more with less. That makes strategic delegation essential. For over a century, CSGA has proven that we are a trusted partner capable of delivering certification. Giving us more responsibility doesn’t just strengthen the seed system — it allows the CFIA to focus on the roles only government can deliver.
There are also risks of over-regulation. Some proposals could be better addressed through operational guidance or policy rather than locked into regulation that limits flexibility for the future.
And let’s be clear about a fundamental gap: Canada doesn’t actually know how much seed is certified each year. That’s a data blind spot no other major seed system tolerates. Without mandatory reporting, we can’t benchmark productivity, track trends, or build the evidence base we need for smart decision-making.
But here’s the opportunity: with proper reporting, Canada could build a national, anonymized dataset that the entire sector can leverage to make better decisions, improve productivity, and strengthen competitiveness. CSGA has identified these gaps as a core concern, and closing them would be a win-win for growers, industry, and policymakers alike.
Cutting Red Tape — For Real
“Cutting red tape” often sounds like political jargon, but SRM shows how it can be real. Take one example: if seed is graded at Foundation level, but a buyer needs Certified, I currently have to go back to a grader for re-grading. It’s duplicative, costly, and time-consuming.
One CFIA proposal would allow downgrading without another grading step. That small change will save time, money, and frustration for growers — without compromising quality or oversight. Multiply that across dozens of similar changes, and you see how modernization can deliver meaningful benefits to farmers and taxpayers alike.
Protecting What Matters
Even as we push for efficiency, we can’t forget what must be protected. When governments look for cuts, they sometimes fail to distinguish between essential and expendable. The CFIA’s seed section and its labs in Saskatoon and Ottawa are not expendable. They are strategic assets for trade, regulatory integrity, and long-term resilience. If we weaken them, we weaken the entire sector.
That’s why, in our pre-budget submission, we urged government to keep these critical operations strong. At CSGA, we’re not thinking about next quarter — we’re thinking decades ahead. A properly resourced CFIA is essential to that future.
Finally, we need to have a national conversation about public breeding. Public breeding was one of Canada’s original nation-building projects. Farmers, commissions, and companies have invested millions into these programs, and cracks are starting to show. If we don’t plan for what comes next, those cracks will widen.
This isn’t just CSGA’s issue to solve. It’s a sector-wide, national issue. Like we did with the Let’s Grow Canada letter, we need to come together — public and private, producers and policymakers — to reimagine breeding as a nation-building project for the 21st century. The stakes couldn’t be higher: Canadian producers rely on high-yielding, high-quality varieties to stay competitive, and we can’t leave that to chance.
Have Your Say
Now it’s your turn. Join our letter-writing campaign and tell CFIA why it’s time to not only protect our seed system but strengthen it. And read my article on our red light, yellow light, green light system to make sense of it all. Simple. Straightforward. No fluff.
