b'current Seed Regulatory Modernizationmeeting; this was a number of yearspare to help support the best outcomes (SRM) process and the outcome has beenback when the Seed Synergy projectfor the modernization of Canadas seed offered up for consideration.was going on. That was really an excitingindustry landscape, the organization is Seed Summit 2022 was initiated byexample of how forward-thinking Canadahard at work on another important but Seeds Canada in partnership with ais, Keller says. complementary initiativea member-slate of producers and industry groupsAccording to Keller, in any industry, itsship drive designed to help recruit moreCereals Canada, Canola Council ofimportant to ask yourself the tough ques- organizations interested in being part Canada, Canadian Canola Growerstions: Are we inclusive enough? Are all theof creating positive change for the seed Association, Canadian Horticulturaldifferent actors in the seed value chainindustry, notes Krista Erickson, director Council, Western Canadian Wheatrepresented? Hes excited to see Seedsof member strategy & solutions for Seeds Growers, Soy Canada, Grains FarmersCanada doing just that and serving as aCanada.of Ontario, Western Grain Elevatorshining example to the world. Our members know Seeds Canada Association and the Ontario Agri- Canada is a critical player within ISF,is in the perfect position to deal with the Business Association. he notes. ISF has different classes ofimportant policy issues that directly affect Its been a long time since we hadnational seed associations, and Canada istheir businesses, she says.a broader discussion of seed develop- one of the highest.With the SRM process not expected ment by all of the industry, so I think thisIts been a permanent member ofto be complete until 2025 at the earliest, event shows the enthusiasm and senseour board of directors for many years. ImSenft says the 18-month-old organization of urgency Seeds Canada has been ableextremely excited that Ellen Sparry hashas a lot of work ahead of itbut says to help generate in regard to regulatorybeen on our board for several years asamalgamating four organizations into one reform, Senft adds. well. Bringing four different organizationsis only beginning to pay dividends.together under one umbrella to form SeedsTime will continue to show that we The World Stage Canada has been a world-leading examplemade the right decision to form Seeds Its not just here at home where Seedsof how to restructure the seed value chain.Canada. I think a lot of what came out of Canada is making an impact. An activeIt was really an impressive step.the summit will help pave the regulatory member of the Seed Association of theAndy LaVigne agrees. As presidentpath that our industry is going to take in Americas (SAA), Seeds Canadas mem- of the American Seed Trade Association,the years and decades ahead, and thats bers include people and companies whohe says Seeds Canada is a huge boononly one example of the change were play a vital role in the South Americanto the North American seed sphere as ithelping to make, he adds.seed landscape and well beyond. gives the Canadian seed sector more of aBreeding methods are evolving, and For many of our members, contracohesive voice.those new tools are going to continue to season production is crucial, as is havingWe collaborate a lot with Seedsbe a key factor for the North American good working relationships with ourCanada on cross-border issues. Weve gotseed world, LaVigne notesand Seeds South American counterparts in order tomany mutual members, and theres a lotCanada has a crucial role to play. ensure smooth movement of seed acrossof cross-border activity. So, when youveA lot of leadership and discovery borders, Sparry says.got one united group to deal with insteadcomes out of the U.S. and Canada in that Of course, regulatory alignment isof four, whether its on certification orregard. Its important that theres close vital as well. Being a part of SAA is hugelypolicy/regulation, I think thats much morecollaboration between our two govern-valuable in facilitating that. effective, LaVigne says. ments on developing policy for things Important players on the internationalSure, theres some growing pains,like gene editing, but also phytosanitary scene are already testifying as to theobviously. The Canadian seed growers areissues, too, he says. importance of Seeds Canada. working with Seeds Canada, but theyreWe have to move seed globally for The idea to create a new Canadiannot a formal part of it. That makes it chal- research and multiplication and provide seed association was a terrific one. Seedslenging as the country moves forward,great varieties and tools for our grower Canada might be a year-and-a-half old, butbut I think everyone in Canada is doing acustomers. The partnership that we have it was really launched many years back,good job of really pulling things togetherwith Canada is absolutely vital to accom-says Michael Keller, secretary-general ofand continuing to develop that structure. plishing that goal. To have a strong entity the International Seed Federation (ISF).like Seeds Canada there will continue to I remember being in VancouverStrength in Numbers be an important factor.SWfor a Canadian Seed Trade AssociationAs Seeds Canada and its partners pre-84/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2022'