b'product, not the process used to createment saying it is disappointed with the governments stance, the product. saying it doesnt go far enough to protect the organic sector.With its updated guidance, the CFIAThis is a great chance for the organic industry to be part has made clear that plant varieties cre- of an innovative sector and to really demonstrate to consumers ated through gene editing will not bethat organic products do align with consumer sustainability considered PNTs so long as they containconcerns, Smyth says.no foreign DNA and express a commer- Affleck notes that CropLife Canada will be part of a new cially viable herbicide tolerance trait. Government-Industry Steering Committee on Plant Breeding This is equally beneficial for conven- Innovation Transparency to facilitate ongoing discussions as tional breeding as it is for gene editing,gene-edited products are introduced into the marketplace.as we know that even people involved inAt the end of the day, whether youre in the organic or conventional breeding have been uncer- Agriculture Ministerconventional sphere, youre a customer of the seed sector. The tain as to how the PNT rulesapply,Marie-Claude Bibeauseed sector needs to address its customers needs if it wants to Affleck adds. This helps really clarifysays having theretain those customers, so we feel very committed to that steer-and streamline things. Its incrediblyseed industry anding committee and look forward to those conversations to make beneficial for plant breeding in general. the organic sectorsure that our transparency mechanisms are strong, he said.The updated guidance was part of atogether at the tableComin notes that organic farmers and the organic industry larger announcement regarding the Seedswas hugely helpful inwill have a wealth of information at their disposal to govern Canada Canadian Variety Transparencycrafting the updatedtheir decisions as to what varieties to plant, and the Seeds Database, which will provide transpar- guidance.Canada database will simply add to that.ency around individual seed varietiesPhoto: Government ofOrganic growers are not restricted to choosing their varie-and clearly identify seed varieties createdCanada ties based solely on our database. If they have a relationship using gene editing. This will help thewith their certified seed dealer theyll be able to have that con-organic industry to maintain the integ- versation about what is appropriate for organic production. Or rity of organic certifications, which allowmaybe theyll have a specific production contract, which will the use of conventional seed but not geneIF WERE NOTsay that they need to use a certain variety, she adds.edited seed. Our database is certainly there to be used; its publicly Lauren Comin, Seeds Canada regula- SUPPORTINGaccessible, and will be maintained, but in reality, it will not tory affairs manager, has played a bigbe the only tool organic farmers are going to be using to make role in developing the database, and saysINNOVATIONtheir decisions.the May announcement will be a boonBASED ONIn making the announcement, Bibeau said the steering to both the seed industry and organiccommittee will be a valuable resource to allow the regulatory sector. THE SCIENCE,system to adapt as it needs to.We put in a lot of work and a lotI think the best way to make good decisions is to consult of hours into working with the organicTHEN WEREwidely and to have all the representatives of the industry and its industry to satisfy everyone involveddifferent sectors around the table, she told Germination.that weve done our due diligence andSETTINGIt was very valuable to us to bring the seed industry and were doing everything we can to ensureOURSELVES UPthe organic sector together to find a path forward. They have transparency, she said. both agreed to keep this conversation going and be part of this TO FAIL. steering committee as we move forward. I will be looking at The Road Ahead Stuart Smyth their recommendations on an ongoing basis as new products According to Smyth, the updated guid- come into the market that use this new technology. We will ance from the CFIA is an excellentadapt if there is a need to adapt, Bibeau added. opportunity for the organic industry to revisit how it thinks about gene edited plant varieties.In the hours after the May 3 announcement clarifying the government position on gene editing, the Canada Organic Trade Association issued a state- To view the update guidance on gene editing visit germination.ca/updated-guidance6GERMINATION.CAJULY 2023'