b'PARTNER CONTENTSeed Movement: How to Make it EasierBy SGS CanadaM oving seed right now can be a challenge, what with shipping delays and all sorts of other complications. Working with a seed lab that is able to analyze and ensure conformity fast and easily is essential on a number of fronts, says Holly Gelech of SGS Canada based in Sherwood Park, Alta. INTERNATIONAL EXPORT EXPORT TO THE UNITEDIMPORT INTO CANADA NEED FOR SPEEDDoes the lab haveSTATES Checks and Balances: SGS Canada is known for International Seed TestingHow it works: SGS Canada is accredited byexpediting seed testing Association (ISTA)Seed exported to the Unitedthe Canadian Food Inspectionquickly. Staffing levels that are accreditation? States typically goes throughAgency to conduct seed importcomplimentary to the require-SGS Canada does. This allowsthe Animal and Plant Healthconformity assessments,ments of the seed industry for it to issue orange and blueInspection Service (APHIS)which is a review of documen- fast movement, combined with international certificates tostream that is monitored andtation ensuring that the correctthe expertise of its staff, make confirm the quality of thechaired by the United Statestesting was done to bring thatmoving seed with the help of seed lots moving internation- Department of Agricultureseed into Canada.SGS very easy. ally. SGS is accredited for a(USDA).massive suite of testing fromCross-Border Relationships germination to other seedExperience Necessary: are Key: SGS Canada makes the determination, percent purity,From a diagnostic perspective,Much of the seed that isquality assurance side seed size including thousandtheres a federal noxious weedimported into Canada fromof moving seed across kernel weight, moisture andexam followed by the crea- the U.S., whether it be a cropborders easy and stress-tetrazolium testing. SGS alsotion of an APHIS documentspecies such as corn, soy- free. For more info visit offers ISTA sampler training. that follows the load of seedbean, turf mixtures, grasses orcropscience.sgs.com and into the United States. SGScereals, gets tested at the SGSexplore its wide range Is the lab an authorizedalso conducts seed testingBrookings laboratory in Southof services that help get exporter? based off of rules determinedDakota. SGS Canada activelyseed to where it needs to SGS also provides Europeanby the Association of Officialpartners with the Brookings labgo, whether its leaving grade reports, which areSeed Analysts (AOSA), whichto help facilitate seed comingthe country or coming into specific to seed thats goingare quite different from theinto Canada.Canada.into the European Union. ThatCanadian seed testing rules.makes SGS an authorized exporter lab on top of an ISTA-accredited laboratory, which is essential to facilitating4seed movement across borders.123JANUARY 2022 GERMINATION.CA 21'