As the Canadian Food Inspection Agency unveils a sweeping policy overhaul and Seeds Canada outlines its advocacy agenda, two perspectives on Seed Regulatory Modernization converge — aligned in intent but distinct in focus.
In the often arcane world of seed regulation, a moment of clarity is unfolding. After five years of technical consultations, policy debates, and value chain discussions, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is preparing to release its long-anticipated Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) policy paper — marking what may be the most comprehensive regulatory overhaul the seed sector has seen in decades.
During an address at Seeds Canada’s annual meeting in Quebec City last week, CFIA leadership and Seeds Canada representatives presented complementary — but distinctly nuanced — visions for the future of seed regulation in Canada. One came from the regulator’s seat. The other, from the industry’s frontlines.
CFIA: Building a Future-Proof Regulatory Foundation
“The agriculture and agri-food system has always depended on access to high-quality, innovative seed,” said Wendy Jahn, national manager of the CFIA Seed Section. “Our role is to ensure Canadian farmers have access to the very best seed, while supporting businesses and innovation to manage risks and protect market access.”
Jahn took the stage to present the agency’s detailed vision. Her message was clear: this isn’t regulatory tinkering. It’s transformation.
The forthcoming SRM policy paper includes 52 proposals for change, grouped under three guiding pillars:
- Reducing red tape and administrative burden
- Supporting marketplace competitiveness and innovation
- Protecting farmers, consumers, and the environment
Among the most significant proposals:
- Incorporation by reference: Regulatory documents can be updated more flexibly outside the slow-moving parliamentary process.
- An external Seed Advisory Committee: A long-standing request from industry, this committee will institutionalize continuous dialogue between CFIA and stakeholders, creating a feedback loop for future updates.
- Alternative service delivery: CFIA is proposing expanded roles for third-party service providers in everything from seed tag printing to OECD export certification.
- Modernization of variety registration: Including expedited pathways for varieties recognized abroad and new protocols for heritage and organic-bred crops.
- Pre-clearance of imported seed: A significant shift aimed at stopping noxious weed seeds at the border before they reach Canadian fields.
“This has been a shift away from the traditional top-down regulatory model,” said Jahn. “We’ve brought all parts of the value chain, including farmers and grain handlers, into the conversation.”
Seeds Canada: Raising the Bar on Investment and Reform
Lauren Comin, Seeds Canada’s lead on policy, echoed the spirit of collaboration but also laid down clear expectations: “We’ll be doing a thorough review of the policy paper, and we’ll engage every member of our network to respond.”
Her message? Reform doesn’t stop with regulation.
Seeds Canada has identified two overarching policy priorities heading into its upcoming government engagement efforts:
- Strengthen Intellectual Property (IP) protections
- Finalize long-delayed amendments to the Plant Breeders’ Rights Regulations.
- Improve legislative tools to encourage both public and private investment in seed innovation.
- Shift CFIA under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Remove the agency from Health Canada’s mandate to create a more “growth-minded regulatory culture.”
- Focus CFIA’s role on health, safety, and market access, while enabling industry-led standard setting in areas tied to consumer acceptance.
“We’re not asking to lower standards,” said Comin. “We’re asking to reframe them — so they reflect today’s innovation landscape, not yesterday’s constraints.”
A Converging Vision, Diverging Lenses
Both CFIA and Seeds Canada seem to agree on the destination: a modern, competitive seed system that protects farmers while enabling innovation. But the paths they emphasize differ.
CFIA is zeroed in on regulatory infrastructure — creating more flexible, responsive systems that can evolve with scientific and technological change. It’s a civil service-led effort that carefully balances stakeholder input with federal oversight.
Seeds Canada, meanwhile, is pressing for policy and cultural change — arguing that without the right investment climate and departmental alignment, even the most streamlined regulations won’t be enough to sustain innovation.
Perhaps the most telling contrast came when Comin referenced how quickly standards are evolving: “What was transformative four years ago isn’t transformative anymore. We have to assess our frameworks with the lens of today—and the bar has been raised.”
What Comes Next?
The CFIA’s SRM policy paper is expected to be released shortly, followed by public consultations, webinars, and the formal regulatory amendment process. Seeds Canada has already committed to hosting a dedicated member webinar with CFIA in August to dig into the details.
Meanwhile, CFIA plans to conduct Indigenous engagement and release a “What We Heard” report by early 2026. The regulatory amendment process is slated to begin that winter, culminating in formal publication in the Canada Gazette.
In the meantime, both sides are calling for robust stakeholder input — not just from associations but from individual companies and growers as well.
As one participant put it from the floor: “The seeds we plant today, in terms of regulation and policy, will determine whether Canada leads or lags in tomorrow’s global agri-food system.”
On that, no one disagreed.
