b'received some very solid feedback from people who said it was very valuable from a business perspective, Risso says. The people who attend are here to do business. We attract very high-calibre attendees who are serious about doing busi-ness in the Americas and who attend because they get results by attending. That counts for something.Sarah Foster, president of 20/20 Seed Labs based in Nisku, Alta., agrees that the SAA event is becoming a more crucial one over time, and the meeting between Seeds Canada members and ANPROS was one example of the high-level discussions that take place there.It was an eye opener. The agenda was compelling and to say the least very forward thinking. South America has found a way to propel themselves forward with modern thinking and a need to address the challenges around farming with climatic changes. They are true leaders in our industry and are ready to take on any aspect of being climate-friendly, Foster says. In terms of the agenda at the Seeds Canada/ANPROS gath-ering, attendees discussed ways to make the flow of seed goSarah Foster is president ofLauren Comin is Seeds Canada more smoothly and reduce costs.20/20 Seed Labs. regulatory affairs manager.From a Canadian seed company perspective, we want to communicate to SAG why Chile is important to Canada and make sure everybody is pulling in the same direction to make the supply chain work. And then, of course, there are challenges, so we wanted to talk about some of the things that we can improve, Horner says. Those areas for improvement include paving the way for third-party field inspections in Chile, something Canada has made a reality in recent years and which Chile is moving toward as well. Ways of streamlining the import/export process were discussed as well.It was a very open discussion, Horner adds.ANPROS and many of the 74 members it represents have a long relationship with Canadian seed entities, notes Mario Schindler, executive director for ANPROS. He says the meeting helped further cement the relationship between Chilean seed companies and their Canadian counterparts. Canadian companies are very interested in field inspec-tions. In Chile, we now have in place an authorization of thirdScott Horner, chief commercialMario Schindler leads Chiles parties for seed inspections. Its something weve been makingofficer for HyTech Production. national seed association.progress in over time. Lauren Comin, regulatory affairs manager for Seeds Canada, attended the gathering and says the issue of third-party inspec-tions is an important one for Seeds Canada members who do business in South America, specifically Chile. Canadian seed associations is a major asset to the Chilean seed Inspectors from countries in South America may not alwaysindustry, Schindler adds.be as familiar with our crop types, so making sure that we haveThe Canadian seed industry coming together in the form those with expertise recognized and authorized to do that isof Seeds Canada has been a big benefit to ANPROS. Having important. Its not going to happen tomorrowit will take timeworked in the seed association sphere for so many years, I knowbut I think our Canadian members were quite satisfied that itsthat if youre able to bring together all these people and have in the works, Comin says.them move in the same direction, it really pays dividends. We Having Seeds Canada at the table more than two yearslook forward to seeing what benefits this merger has for Canada after the organization was created by the amalgamation of fourand beyond in the coming years.SW INTERNATIONAL EDITION 2023SEEDWORLD.COM /61'