b'CSAAC / SEEDANALYSTS.CA / OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE WORKED HARD TO BUILD OUR REPUTATIONWHY THE CSAAC SEAL IS THE KEY TO QUALITY SEED IN CANADASEED TESTING IS an integral part of our system. NowhereThe CFIA will inform the lab of was that made clearer than in the recently releasedany inconsistencies and corrective Seeds Canada ratification package, which is being rede- action must be takenthis too is signed now that the initiative to form a single nationalmonitored to ensure compliance. seed organization is going ahead with the participationLabs must also perform internal of the Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canadamonitoring every year to verify the (CSAAC), Canadian Plant Technology Agency, Canadianlabs proficiency in testing seed Seed Trade Association and Canadian Seed Institute. against the lab and regulatory stand-CSAAC is a small group, and over the years we haveards. These records will be available Krista Erickson,worked hard to build our reputation. Seed testing is anfor review by the auditors.CSAAC Executiveimportant part of the seed industry and I would like toIn addition to the government Director point out why and how. required monitoring of seed labs, Certified seed that is sold to producers has gonesome labs have chosen to have their through a rigorous regulatory process before it goes toseed analysts become members the field. The crop is regulated throughout the growingof the Commercial Seed Analysts period, the fields are inspected, and the crop is har- Association of Canada (CSAAC).vested. The seed is then sampled and sent for testing atMember analysts are required by an accredited lab. This is where government-accreditedCSAAC to maintain educational seed testing labs enter the picture. The lab ensures thatstandards to ensure they are cur-the seed that is entering the market meets the purity andrent with the industry and consistent germination standards required. in their testing procedures. Regular How do you know that all of the seed being testedbulletins are sent out to the members across Canada meets an approved, uniform standard?Thethrough the CSAAC office to ensure Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulates the labsthey are immediately aware of through audits performed by the Canadian Seed Institutechanges in government regulations. (CSI). Initially, a lab must design a quality assurance manualCSAAC works with CFIA on the that includes the guidelines set out by the CFIA. Methods and Procedures for Testing After receiving an application for accreditation fromSeed committee where they provide, the lab, the CFIA will send out an auditor to ensure theaccept and review potential propos-lab is following its quality manual and the manual andals for changes to ensure that the lab meet all the CFIA requirements. Sample proficiencyregulations reflect what is happening testing is also done at this time. A successful seed testingin the seed industry. laboratory will be given a letter of accreditation and anRemember to look for the CFIA accreditation number. Please look for this number onaccreditation number of the lab and your seed testing Reports of Analysis. the CSAAC Seal and signature of An accredited lab will be audited by qualified auditorsthe CFIA accredited analyst/CSAAC and technical experts from CSI every three years. Oncemember to ensure that your seed has a lab is accredited, they receive two proficiency test- been analyzed to the highest stand-ing panels every year. Labs must pass these proficiencyard. panels to maintain their laboratorys scope of accredita-tion. The panels cover all six CFIA crop groupings over a three-year cycle.10GERMINATION.CANOVEMBER 2020'