b"INTERNATIONAL NEWSGLOBAL SEED WATCHAUSTRALIA AND CHINA SIGN MOU, CANADA BOOSTS SUPPORT FOR FARMERS AMID NEW TARIFFS, AND INDIA ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR SECOND GENEBANKSTATUS AUSTRALIA tariff on certain pork, fish, and seafood products. These measures are anticipated to significantly impact Canadian farmers, harvesters, and associated businesses, while also affecting Chinese consumers through increased prices and reduced product availability.To mitigate these challenges, the Canadian government is enhancing the AgriStability program, which provides compre-hensive protection to producers facing unforeseen difficulties. The proposed enhancements include:A newly signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) supports a collaboration between the Australian and Chinese grains industries, fostering new areas of research that benefit both countries.Representatives from Grains Australia, the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) and the Academy of National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration (Academy of NAFRA) signed the MoU in Beijing.One of the aims of the MoU, which builds on existing pos-itive relationships between the organisations, is to encourage the exchange of grain quality, safety and processing knowledge and expertise.It will also examine cooperative research opportunities to iden-I ncreased Compensation Rate: Raising the compensation rate tify blending options for Chinese and Australian wheat and/or flour,from 80% to 90% for the 2025 program year. and new methods for wheat quality evaluation and grain processing.Higher Payment Cap: Doubling the current payment cap The MoU will explore collaborative nutritional, healthy andto $6 million, ensuring larger operations receive adequate functional food market opportunities, such as those related to wholesupport.grain food products. Additionally, provincial and territorial governments are now Grains Australia and AEGIC collaborate to benefit Australianempowered to:grain growers, with AEGIC delivering market insights and educa- Issue Higher Interim Payments: Eligible producers can apply tion for Grains Australia under a GRDC-backed MOU. for interim payments up to 75% of their estimated final pay-The primary focus of the not-for-profit Academy of NAFRAment for the 2025 program year.is on ensuring national food security, promoting the developmentInitiate Targeted Advance Payments: In cases where market of the food circulation industry and addressing scientific and tech- disruptions, such as tariffs or animal disease outbreaks like nological issues related to food and strategic reserves. African Swine Fever, have led to significant losses, admin-istrators can establish Targeted Advance Payments for the 2025 program year.STATUS CANADAIn response to Chinas recent imposition of tariffs on CanadianSTATUS INDIAagricultural products, the Government of Canada has unveiled enhanced support measures aimed at assisting affected producers.Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced that a Gene Bank Kody Blois, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Ruralwill be established to conserve the country's genetic resources. This Economic Development, announced these initiatives, emphasizinginitiative aims to ensure genetic resources and food security for the governments commitment to standing by Canadian farmersfuture generations.during this challenging period. A gene bank is a repository of genetic material, such as seeds, Chinas decision follows its domestic anti-discriminationpollen or tissue samples, collected from different plant species in investigation initiated on Sept. 26, 2024. The resulting tariffs includeorder to protect them from potential extinction and preserve vital a 100% duty on canola oil, canola meal, and peas, along with a 25%varieties for future generations.42ISEED WORLD EUROPEISEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPE | MAY 2025"