b'REGULATORY MODERNIZATION BEGINS WITH NEEDS ASSESSMENTSeed industry members can expect the federal government to release a survey on seed regulatory modernization this month.Marc ZienkiewiczWENDY JAHN, national manager of the Canadian Food Plants with Novel Traits (PNT) legislationInspection Agency (CFIA) Seed Section, says a needs Plant Breeders Rightsassessment survey will be released in January 2021 and Seed Royalties/Value Creationthis is the first step in the modernization process. The Phytosanitary Issuesneeds assessment will answer the following questions: What the benefits are of the current regulatoryWhat Could be Changed?framework and seed system;A recent member survey sent to Canadian Seed Trade Opportunities for change and what issues need toAssociation (CSTA) members shed light on some areas be addressed;for possible modernization, according to CSTA regulatoryWhat the comfort level is with further industry deliv- affairs and trade manager Claudio Feulner.ery of regulatory services. In terms of modern technology, some CSTA members The process will provide baseline information tohope that through the regulatory modernization exercise, inform the Seed Regulatory Modernization Workingthe industry can simplify many processes, like genetic Group (SRMWG) to ensure we are meeting stakeholderidentity and quality standards, through the use of a single needs, Jahn says.window where each item in the seed production process The CFIA is reviewing all of its regulations to improveflows into the next. responsiveness and consistency, reduce complexity andSome members question the need for an extensive strengthen consumer protection. Other industries havevariety registration system in todays environment where already gone through the process of regulatory moderni- comparable information is readily available for anyone zation, including the fertilizer and animal feed sectors. with an internet connection. Companies have quality Whats special about this initiative is that were notmanagement standards for breeding and varietal develop-limited to just doing tweaks to the regulations. Thement which ensures that healthy and safe varieties are government has signalled that it is open to substantivebrought to market, Feulner says.change, including the examination of the role of govern- Seed testing modernization is another area that some ment in the regulation of seed, Jahn says. members hope to modernize, he adds.So we need to address some pretty big questions, suchSeed companies lose valuable seed anytime seed as what should stay with government, what should moveneeds to be tested. A top priority for members is the to industry with government oversight, and even poten- investment in tools or technology that will reduce sample tially what no longer needs to be done at all. Its importantsizes and the time between testing and results.when we talk about this to look at the scope of regulatorySome members suggest simplifying seed labels and modernization, both what it is and what it isnt. tags. The main purpose of the Seeds Act and SeedsFeulner emphasizes that none of these ideas are Regulations are to ensure the overall quality of seed andendorsed by the CSTA board and none are an official protect producers from fraud, and this is done by defin- CSTA position. As of Feb. 1, 2021, CSTA will no longer ing standards for seeds, Jahn explains. These standardsexist and will instead be amalgamated with three other ensure accurate information about the seed is available toassociations to become Seeds Canada. purchasers. The Seeds Act and Regulations also facilitate seed certification through variety registration, crop certifica-tion, and the oversight of seed processing to maintain the integrity of seed and seed laboratory testing. For news on the needs assessment and how to access it,stay tuned to germination.caSeed Regulatory Modernization does not include:24GERMINATION.CAJANUARY 2021'