b'Wendy JahnON LOCATION: CSGA/CSTA ANNUAL MEETINGFOR WENDY JAHN,THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILSThe national manager of the CFIA Seed Section gives her thoughts on how the seed industrys efforts at preparing for regulatory modernization in 2021 are proceeding.Germination: The date for seed regulatory moderniza- regulatory system. I keep saying regulatory modernization tion has been rescheduled from 2020 to 2021. Why theis a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take a holistic change? approach to regulation of the seed system, and were very appreciative and recognize that the White Paper is a huge Wendy Jahn (WJ): As you know, CFIA has a veryaccumulation of work by the Seed Synergy partners to ambitious regulatory change agenda, and as prioritiesadvance their vision.shift and change we do have to sometimes realign things.The White Paper identified some direction for seed We moved it back a year due to adjustments in someregulatory modernization in the areas of incorporation by other priorities. It gives breathing room to both industryreference and delivery of the seed certification and Single and government as well. Window systems, so were supportive of the initial con-cepts in the paper and we think its an essential step to Germination: What did you think of the Seed Synergymoving forward towards understanding industrys views White Paper? on regulatory reform.WJ: Government is really encouraged that the seedGermination: For you, whats the biggest challenge but industry has stepped forward in such a collaborative wayalso biggest success youve seen come out of our regula-to rethink the structure and function of the current seedtory modernization initiatives so far?WJ: Its hard for me not to say one of the biggest challenges is in value creation. Im hearing from people here in Whistler that its one of the biggest topics they want to talk about. But from my perspective as national manager of the seed program, I think its really important that we dont miss this opportunity for regulatory reform as well. What were hoping is to take these broad concepts and use what we call the Seed Regulatory Modernization Working Group, and talk about various C aspects and start to work out details. MY Germination: Are you confident we can succeed in this?CM WJ: In the regulatory modernization space the devil is in MY the details, but we have a path forward. We have a plan. CY A lot has been done, but there is still some heavy lifting CMY to do in terms of those details. Am I hopeful this will be successful? Absolutely. The way people have embraced K this and taken it to its fullest extent, I cant imagine we wont come out on the other side with a system thats more flexible, transparent, streamlined and less burdensome and in line with the way agriculture and the seed sector are going. Im confident well take it over the finish line.Editors Note: Interview conducted during the joint annual meeting of the Canadian Seed Growerss Association and Canadian Seed Trade Association in Whistler, B.C., in July. 10GERMINATION.CA SEPTEMBER 2019'