b'SRM: Assessing the Pre-Consultation SurveyTWOCANADAS TWO SEED sector associations are expressing both agreement and differences in their vision for the future of Canadas seed system. Both the Canadian Seed Growers Association (CSGA) and ASSOCIATIONS,Seeds Canada recently engaged their members regarding the Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) winter consultation survey, which opened for comments in February and closed on TWO VISIONS May 1.Dealing with seed certification, variety registration and seed standards and grade tables, the survey asked seed sector stakeholders various questions about the pillars of Canadas seed regulatory framework.Both the Canadian Seed Growers AssociationIn their recommended responses to members, both CSGA and Seeds Canada have their own uniqueand Seeds Canada expressed much agreement on the path for-ward (both support the use of Incorporation by Reference as a visions for Seed Regulatory Modernization.regulatory tool and the elimination of varietal blend standards). Still, they have somewhat different takes on the big-picture Marc Zienkiewicz questions regarding seed certification and variety registration.There were two or three questions that were most impor-tant to us and our members and that we believe are ultimately crucial to the entire seed sector in the value chain. These ques-tions include whether Canada should have a national registra-tion system, whether there should be a single body issuing certificates and setting standards, and the concept of incorpora-tion by reference, says Doug Miller, executive director for the CSGA.Those are foundational elements.CSGA believes Canadas variety registration system should carry on, noting in its recommended survey responses that Canada has an international reputation for seed and grain quality, and our variety registration system is a major reason why by providing an unbiased, third-party assessment of new varieties to let producers know how a variety will perform.CSGA also believes it should continue to serve as Canadas national seed certification body, noting in its survey responses that CSGA has the size, scale and proven track record to administer our program cost-effectively and ensures that no producer or crop kind is left behind.For Miller, the benefits of SRM dont end there. He says the CSGA Learn program is a crucial building block for the seed sector that could be a hugely helpful tool in Canadas post-SRM seed certification system. CSGA Learn is an online learning platform that he says equips the next generation of seed growers, seed businesses, and inspectors with the informa-tion they need to succeed in the evolving system.Miller explains that CSGA Learn, if requested, could poten-tially be used to provide additional training options for licensed seed crop inspectors, a topic also raised in the survey.Nuance and ComplexityLike CSGA, Seeds Canada immediately reached out to its members after the release of the survey in February, hold-ing two webinars to unveil the survey questions and gather 14GERMINATION.CAJULY 2023'