b'Why do we need seed regulations? ensures all seed sellers have clear, consistent Seed health is vital to Canada as the firstand common requirements to provide assur-critical link in the agri-food value chain. Theances regarding the accuracy and quality to seed regulations ensure that quality standardsCanadas farmers who purchase seed.remain high. The regulations provide assuranceCanadas seed regulations enable tracking Wendy Jahn for quality, traceability, purity and movement.and traceability, facilitate domestic and inter-NationalFor instance, seed laws protect the farmer bynational movement, minimize germination, Manager,legally requiring the seller to guarantee theassure purity and varietal identity, decrease Seed Section,quality of seed via standardized inspectionthe spread of weeds and diseases, foster Canadian Foodand testing procedures. Those procedures,communication and information, and protect Inspectionwhich may consist of a certification system andconsumers from fraud.Agency accreditation authorization procedures, protect enterprises that engage in quality seed produc- What does government hope to get out oftion and protect consumers in the commercialthe SRM process?sector and the farming community.Government has signaled that this is being Given that the total economic impact ofapproached with an open mind and an open-pedigreed seed production is close to $3ness for substantive change. Adding flexibility billion per year and the fact that it providesto the regulations and enhancing the ability the foundation for our $30-billion grainto adapt to new technologies is essential to industry, it becomes clear why seed regula- achieving the goals established at the begin-tion remains important to the Governmentning of this process. Taking advantage of the of Canada and why the CFIA protects theauthority to incorporate documents by refer-industrys best interest.ence will help carry out the aforementioned process.Does trust play a role? It is also important to determine the Yes, the seeds regulations help establishappropriate role for government. This goal trust in the system, both domestically and ingets to the crux of what we mean by being international markets. The International Seedopen to substantive change. The moderniza-Federation says it expects governments totion process will examine if the major parts establish and maintain strong legal protectionof the CFIA seed program that are still for seed and plant products through appropri- needed today may be needed in the future. ate laws and regulations and to enforce themIf certain processes are not necessary in the effectively against those who engage in illegalfuture, we need a plan to stop doing those seed practices. activities. Other necessary processes will be improved. Additional goals include reducing What are the regulations ultimately designed burden and complexity, improving consist-to do? ency and strengthening consumer protection. The seeds regulations set out to achieve simple yet necessary objectives that protectWhen do you expect the process to befarmers and their consumers, promote growthcompleted by?and innovation across Canadas seed industry,The timelines have recently been extended. ensure health and safety and ultimately safe- We hope to get into Canada Gazette Part I, guard our countrys plant resource base. which is the beginning of the official amend-Fraudulent practices like misrepresentationment process for the fall of 2024, taking the and false labelling of product are ongoingend of the process to 2025. We see next issues that need to be mitigated. Seeds fromwinter as an ideal opportunity to ask the weeds also threaten the viability of our coun- broader stakeholders questions on some of trys seed industry.the options and recommendations that have Together, government and seed indus- been put forward.try partners carry out a seed program that JULY 2022 GERMINATION.CA 25'