b'To Ensure the Success of Contra-Season Production, Regulatory Change is a MustAFTER MORE THAN25 years in the canola seedcontra season is the fast track, cost effective solution it industry, I have observed firsthand how contra seasonis capable of being. This will help prevent confusion and production has become a crucial element of industryuncertainty among regulators and seed producers and success. The ability to advance material quickly andwill help ensure the movement of seed is properly regu-get new technology into the hands of farmers fasterlated to address the risk of pest and disease spread.is essential for remaining competitive and meetingThe good news is there is work being done and customer expectations.important progress being made in some areas. The One of the challenges to this is a regulatory systemSeed Association of the Americas along with national which has not kept pace with technology developmentseed associations like ANPROS, Argentina Seed and is overburdened and in many ways inefficient. IfAssociation, American Seed Trade Association and SCOTT HORNER,industry is to be successful in meeting producer needsSeeds Canada are working with regulators on interna-is chief commercialto address todays environmental, food nutrition andtional and bilateral solutions.officer of HyTechfood security challenges, regulatory innovation andTwo important initiatives include the adoption of Production capacity must keep pace. The current regulatoryelectronic phytosanitary certificates (e-phytos) and the environment, both domestically in many countries andimplementation of a systems approach for regulation of internationally, is fragmented, with poor informationinternational seed movement. sharing and old systems. Lets look specifically at the systems approach. This The importance of contra season production andapproach recognizes and utilizes the quality manage-global seed trade cannot be overstated. Breedersment systems seed companies have in place to ensure rely on contra season nurseries to cut field screeningthe quality and purity of seed they produce. All interna-time in half, this has become a mainstream reliance fortional seed shipments require specific documentation, private and public breeding programs in most crops.and in many cases physical inspection by an official Commercial seed supply in crops like canola, corn andfrom the National Plant Protection Agency of the some special crops rely heavily on the contra seasonexporting country, to ensure the seed meets phytosani-to fast-track new technology to market and to recovertary import requirements of the importing country. regular season production shortfalls.Globally on an annual basis, more than a million seed Its a critical time in the world for the solutionsshipments are physically inspected, and a phytosani-plant breeding and gene editing can bring to addresstary certificate issued. The resources required and cost the environmental, food nutrition and food securityof this process is staggering. By accrediting companies challenges we are presented with. Regulatory mod- based on their effective quality management systems, ernization cant happen fast enough; its overdue andsignificant time and cost will be saved and the burden a critical step for industry and government to take.on regulators reduced. Broad implementation of the Leadership and focus in this area by national, regionalsystems approach is an audacious goal, with the poten-and international seed associations is needed.tial to revolutionize seed movement, creating clear and Individual seed companies need to step up andtangible benefits for all stakeholders.engage, too. Industry needs to be proactive with aThe future of the seed sector to do what needs to sincere ask: how can we help? Dialogue with regulatorsbe done to meet global food, fuel and environmental is necessary to identify gaps, recognize challenges anddemands will rely heavily on short-term success with consider solutions. The seed sector needs to do theregulatory modernization.hard work of getting aligned both internally and exter- Seed associations need to continue the hard work of nally with ag industry stakeholders.engaging with regulators and seed companies need to This alignment is important to create critical massstep up in a bigger way to support this work; its a criti-and the clear, coordinated messaging necessary tocal time to create change and capture the opportunity resonate with regulators. This will help ensure theavailable to our sector.SW 96/ SEEDWORLD.COMINTERNATIONAL EDITION 2023'