b'WE DONT HAVE TO REINVENT THE WHEEL, BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE A FORMAL PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CSGA AND SEEDS CANADA TO MOVE FORWARD.Richard StampSome areas where the ISSB couldfailed 2020 merger vote that sawCanada similar to the NAK, the Dutch develop policy include variety regis- the CSGA vote to opt out of joininggeneral inspection service for seeds. tration, seed certification, seed clean- with the industrys other seed organi- NAK carries out statutory inspections ing and conditioning, seed sampling,zations to form Seeds Canada.on behalf of and under the supervi-testing and grading, and also label- We need to have seed growers atsion of the Ministry of Agriculture, ling, Comin said. the table with us, and we need to beNature and Food Quality.Stakeholder members of the ISSBable to progress. With an ISSB, wedStamp says a partnership between could include seed analysts, varietyhave something an external body toCSGA and Seeds Canada similar to the developers, seed growers, farmers,govern the industry and at the sameNAK could see the two organizations processors, seed suppliers and more. time help mend fences and make ourcome together in some form to develop According to Comin, the ISSBseed system work, McLean says.certification standards for the industry.would be supported by and ulti- CSGA, of which Im a member,Everyone needs to take a deep mately report to the Canadian Foodwants to be the voice and the bodybreath and come back to the table Inspection Agency (CFIA). for certification purposes, but yet its aand talk, Stamp says. Of course, there would be agrower organizationa single stake- Maybe it takes somebody com-number of challenges to overcome inholder group that represents growers.pletely separate from CSGA and forming an ISSB, namely: Our mandate as CSGA is that we areSeeds Canada to bring forth a new The ISSB would need a sustain- the national representation of thevision. We dont have to reinvent the able source of funding and com- provincial grower network.wheel, but we have to have a formal mitment by government While McLean says theres apartnership between CSGA and SeedsExpert staff from industry andcertain amount of vagueness to theCanada to move forward.the CFIA will need to supportISSB concept at present, he says its aIn an emailed statement, CSGA the ISSB to ensure availability ofgood opportunity to begin a discus- Executive Director Doug Miller said information and ensure smoothsion about what Canadas next-gener- the formation of an ISSB would be operation of processes ation seed system needs to look likeduplicating the work CSGA andAn interim board would need toin order to be functional. other groups already do on behalf of complete analyses to ensure anMaybe its a blessing in disguiseCanadas seed sector and run coun-effective ISSB that the merger didnt happen aster to CSGAs vision for a modernized The ISSB could be used in themany had hoped, because it still leftseed system. SRM process, but would need toone entityCSGAout there toBut Miller adds that for those be set up in advance of 2025 be able to help to morph into whatslooking to engage in the standards These types of bodies exist inneeded in the future. Maybe we cansetting process, the CSGA always Canada already, Hadley said, like inmove things towards an amicablewelcomes new participants. the organic industry. The Canadianarrangement where all the players canWe value any call to diversify Grain Commission uses standardsbe comfortable around the table andand broaden perspectives and are committees similar in structure to themove the system to a place where wegrateful we are able to provide an proposed ISSB, he added. can get good innovation and appro- open forum for creating standards for priate regulations in place to attracta sustainable and thriving seed and Building Bridges investment so that we can move thisagriculture sector, without the need Manitoba-based seed grower Ericindustry forward. for additional processes. McLean, who sits on the SeedsRichard Stamp agrees. The Canada board and is himself a formerAlberta-based seed grower, himself a national board member for theformer CSGA national board member, Canadian Seed Growers Associationsays the ISSB concept could serve (CSGA), said the ISSB idea could helpas a conversation tool to allow theTo read CSGA Executive Director Doug Millersbuild a bridge between Seeds Canadaindustry to move ahead positively.full statement on the ISSB concept, visitand CSGA after what he calls theHe envisions an organization ingermination.ca/ISSB-CSGA-statement24GERMINATION.CASEPTEMBER 2022'