b'CSI / CSI-ICS.COM / MORE THAN EVER, WE ALL NEED TO INVOLVE OURSELVES IN OUR INDUSTRYCOVID FORCES US TO FOCUS ON WHATS TRULY IMPORTANTITS EARLING MORNING and I am work- and stability has risen in importance.ing remotely from my new homeLess travel to and from the office will mean a smaller office, which just a few months agoenvironmental footprint, but organizations will also have was a spare bedroom. to keep searching for the right balance. We naturally The COVID-19 pandemic is acommunicate much more efficiently in person. In online major historical event that will havemeetings there can be a tendency to talk over each other an unprecedented impact on theand its sometimes harder to vocalize concerns. Were all Canadian seed industry. A significantlearning as we go.change in our thinking is happeningIm happy to report we have instructed our auditors and priorities are being reassessed.that they may begin conducting on-site audits again if The change is happening in our per- both the facility and auditor are comfortable with an on-Roy Van Wyk, sonal lives and in our businesses, andsite visit.CSI Executiveso it shouldnt be a surprise that we Director are seeing it in our government.The pandemic has amplified the reality that was already upon us even prior to COVID-19. The seed industryGOVERNMENT HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO FOCUS will struggle if we dont take steps to adapt today.THEIR RESOURCES ON TWO PRIORITIESPUBLIC Government has no choice but to focus their resources on two prioritiesHEALTH AND SAFETY. public health and safety. Under our current system, without changing and adapting, we can only expect the cost of seed production to go up.Public realization that the abilityCSI released a list of recommendations for auditors in to produce and distribute food takesregard to minimizing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 a massive effort from a large supplyduring CSI activities. Visit our website for details.chain has come to the forefront, withAlso, CSI is happy to introduce Dave Lockman as our a big focus on distribution infrastruc- newest team member. Dave will be fulfilling the role of ture and the impact of governmentprograms coordinator and will have an immediate posi-spending when it comes to publictive impact on our organic program. Dave has over a health and food security. decade of experience in organic certification. His knowl-There will be an impact on howedge and experience extends beyond the organic industry we work and do business. We willas well. no doubt work more remotely in theHe has over 20 years of experience in agriculture and future and that means we need toolsfood and has worked in the crop protection, seed and to network, meet, learn, collaboratedairy industries. and be productive online.Feel free to contact him any time at dlockman@csi-ics.That means rural internet accesscom. 32GERMINATION.CASEPTEMBER 2020'