b'seed inventories a little bit differentlyMcAllister expects the changes to be in light of the new requirement forfinalized within the next six months.THERE ARE CASESphytosanitary certificates.We may have to purchase moreCFIA Open to Substantial ChangeWHERE PHYTOSANITARYseed at once, as opposed to purchas- in Seed Regsing in smaller batches. In some cases,The CFIA has reiterated the fact it is CERTIFICATES ARE ALREADYits been easier for us to just get whatopen to making substantial change REQUIRED ON SEED, BUT FORwe need a little at a time as opposedin Canadas seed regulatory landscape.to stockpiling it. With the added costIn a talk given to attendees of THE MOST PART, THE FOCUSof this, it might make sense to orderthe Seed Canadas AGM, Canadian more at one time, she says. Food Inspection Agency Preisdent REALLY HAS BEEN ON THESeed companies really need toSiddika Mithani said CFIAs two have a good understanding of thecurrent major regulatory reviewsSEED ANALYSIS CERTIFICATEcosts related to these phytosanitarySeed Regulatory Modernization and AND QUALITY PARAMETERS. certificates as well. We also need toan overhaul of Canadas novel food be working closely with our suppliersregulationsaim to eliminate bot- Patricia McAllister and our partners, so they understandtlenecks to innovation and further our needs and the proper timing. Forstrengthen the regulatory system by example, if theres a shipment readyworking with key stakeholders.to go, how long does it take for theWe are open to substantial USDA to issue a phytosanitary certifi- change, including examining the role cate? Theres going to be a little of aof government in the regulation of learning curve. seed. Our shared goal is to develop a In many ways this aligns withMcAllister says due to risingregulatory framework that is adapt-how we already regulate otherglobal concern over seed-borneable to stakeholder needs, effective viruses in fruit stock. There was apathogens like ToBRFV, seed com- in preventing fraud, and ensures general acceptance that this was mostpanies can expect other changes likethe traceability, quality and safety of likely the best way to manage thethis to come down the pipe. Canadas seed supply, Mithani said.risk while still allowing commercialBecause of the large quantities ofWith regard to novel products of producers some flexibility, becauseseed that move between Canada andbiotechnology, she said gene edit-the requirement for a phytosanitarythe U.S., having very open discus- ing technologies are an exciting new certificate is quite different from thesions about this is going to be veryfrontier for the seed industry, offering current import requirements whichimportant for us to find a way to miti- great promise for the development of really focus on quality parametersgate the risk associated with differentimproved crops.like whether or not theres weed seedtypes of seeds, as new viruses andWhen updating its guidance, present in a shipment, she adds. viroids are identified. SolanaceousCFIA has preserved the fundamental To help facilitate the change, shecrops specificallypepper, tomato,principle that it is the outcome that says its important for importers toeverything in that familyare seenmatters, not the method of develop-begin to understand the differenceas potentially higher risk than it hadment, Mithani said.between a seed analysis certificatepreviously been thought. I do expectThrough international engage-and a phytosanitary certificate.we will continue to see more require- ment, Im optimistic that our guid-Worldwide, were seeing manyments in that space, she adds. ance approach will inspire other countries publish risk managementThere are also viruses in thejurisdictions to follow the Canadian decision documents or pathway doc- cucurbit spacemelon and cucum- example, as they consider how to uments, looking at seed and potentialbersthat the U.S. is looking atinclude gene editing technologies diseases it carries, specifically virusesadditional import requirements for aswithin their own regulatory frame-and viroids that can move on or inwell. CFIA will continue to commu- works.the seed itself, and are trying to keepnicate with our industry stakeholdersIn its draft guidance, she noted these diseases from moving in theto provide as much advance noticeCFIA is making very clear statements seed trade and to prevent their intro- as possible of what changes we thinkabout gene editing and convention-duction into countries where theymight be on the horizon. ally bred plants. dont occur.The next step in the processBased on more than 25 years of Emily Tregunno, co-owner ofwill be for CFIA to finalize its riskexperience in assessing novel prod-Halifax Seed, says garden seed com- management decision documentucts, CFIA is also focusing more panies like hers are going to haveand put it through a World Tradeclosely on specific impacts of envi-to manage their tomato and pepperOrganization comment period.ronmental concern, she said. 30GERMINATION.CASEPTEMBER 2021'