b'ENTERING the MODERN AGEAfter delays caused by the pandemic, the process of modernizing Canadas seed regulations has officially begun.Marc ZienkiewiczAFTER THEregulatory moderniza-tion process was paused earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Seed Regulatory Modernization Working Group (SRMWG) held its first meeting in September and the process has officially started to bring Canadas seed regulations into the 21st century.Were ready to work with our stakeholders and were really hope-ful as we look forward to next year. Were excited about opportunities to modernize the seed system and take it into the future and support Canadian agriculture in the years toWendy Jahn, national manager of the CanadianGordon Butcher, chair of Canadas Authorized come, says Wendy Jahn, nationalFood Inspection Agency (CFIA) Seed Section. Seed Crop Inspection Services (ACSIS).manager of the Canadian FoodAssociationInspection Agency (CFIA) Seed Section, which will be working withaddress gaps, weaknesses and incon- framework must be evaluated and seed industry stakeholders to mod- sistencies; reduce regulatory burden,modernized. Other industries have ernize the seed regulations. and provide clarity and flexibility toalready gone through the process, The Seeds Regulations regulateaffected regulated parties. like Canadas fertilizer sector, Jahn seeds and seed potatoes in CanadaOur seed regulations have beenadds.that are sold, imported, or exported,in existence for a long time. WeveIts a once-in-a-generation oppor-as well as seeds released into themade a number of amendmentstunity to take a holistic look and environment. Seeds and seed pota- over the years. When you makemake a multitude of changes at the toes must meet established standardsan amendment, it tends to be on asame time and ensure the regulations for quality and be labelled so theyspecific part of a regulation. It helpsare a fit for todays industry.are properly represented in the mar- to keep them modern and increaseOpportunities for modernization ketplace. Varieties of most major agri- flexibility, but the problem of doingare many. One major tweak is to have cultural field crops must be registeredone-off regulatory amendments isthe regulations refer to or link to out-prior to import or sale of seed. you never step back and take a holis- side documents, standards and pro-Proposed amendments wouldtic look at the entirety of the regula- cedures. That way they can be easily modernize the Seeds Regulationstions, Jahn says. updated, to keep up with scientific as they apply to seeds imported,Like a harvester thats gonedevelopments and industry best conditioned, stored, tested, labelled,through a multitude of repairspractices without needing to amend sold in Canada and exported. Theover the years, eventually it has tothe regulations. This is also known as proposed amendments would reducebe scrapped and a new harvesterincorporation by reference.overlap and redundancy; increasepurchased. According to Jahn, thereA good example is the Canadian responsiveness to industry changes;comes a point where a regulatoryRegulations and Procedures for 12GERMINATION.CANOVEMBER 2020'