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2024 Annual Conference Report

Post author By Carly Foubert
Post date August 15, 2024

This year the Seeds Canada Annual Conference – held July 8-11 in Edmonton, AB – brought together seed analysts, developers, growers, processors, and distributors from across Canada under the theme The Future of Seed is Here. Are we Ready?

“I want to thank the conference sponsors, participants, members, the board, and our staff for bringing us a successful conference this year,” said Ellen Sparry, “I think there were great sessions, panels, and information, and of course, stay engaged; this is your Seeds Canada; together, we will make great strides for our sector.”

Pre-Conference Seed Analyst Workshop sponsored by 20/20 Seed Labs Inc.

We kicked off the conference this year with a Seed Analyst workshop on Monday July 8, 2024. Director of Policy, Lauren Comin moderated the conversation on disruptive forces in the sector, professional development needs, and how those needs could be met. The session ended with a discussion on the current value of the Seeds Canada member seal and its potential for future value.

The Future of Seed is Here

This year we welcomed Andy LaVigne, President and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), as the keynote speaker who provided an insightful keynote on the critical role of innovative research and practice in shaping a more sustainable and productive future.

Throughout his address, Andy explored how the industry continues to move forward with the issues we are facing today: geopolitical forces at play, overspending and debt, sustainability and climate funding. The solution: we work together; identifying the unified voice to move the industry forward. “In the end it’s our responsibility,” says Andy, “it all starts with the seed – it’s the great multiplier – food, feed, fuel and fibre – we have a huge responsibility to the industry.”

Big thanks to Andy LaVigne for kicking off our Annual Conference and to Syngenta for sponsoring the keynote speaker.

SRM and the ISSB Concept

Seed Regulatory Modernization has been a hot topic for our industry for years, with good reason! Our 2024 Annual Conference included several sessions discussing the next steps and how we can continue to push for progress.

Trish Jordan, a consultant for the Independent Standards Setting Body (ISSB) concept joined us at the conference to present her recommendations. See the 5 takeaways from the report below! The benefit of the ISSB concept would act as an independent voice to communicate with the CFIA on behalf of the whole industry. The challenges identified by Trish were finding sustainable funding sources and the bilateral division of the seed industry, but ultimately encouraged the establishment of a working task force to develop the concept and ensure the advisory body is independent from existing advisory bodies.

Trish Jordan’s address was followed by an ISSB panel discussion, moderated by Brent Collins, BASF, and featured Adam Dyck (Warburtons), Brad Chandler (Hensall Coop), and Greg Andrews (Alberta Seed Processors). The panel agreed that to be successful and effective the advisory body needs to be transparent, accountable, and flexible as the concept establishes itself for ‘futureproofing’ and create opportunities for farmers. One of the most significant challenges the panelists foresaw for this concept was the risk of stagnation – it is necessary, now more than ever, to see change driven by all agriculture stakeholders. To conclude day 1 of the conference, we heard from a panel of speakers on the concerns and impacts of SRM proposals. Moderated by Chris Churko, FP Genetics, the panel was composed of Brent Derkatch (Canterra Seeds), Ellen Sparry (C&M Seeds), and Bruce Balog (Gold Metal Seeds). The panel discussed how regulations can inhibit innovation and how they can support a more competitive environment- leaving attendees with the question of whether regulations should reflect what is best for the seed sector, or what is traditional.

Path to Increased Ag Research in Canada with Tyler McCann

We were also joined by Tyler McCann, Managing Director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute to share his perspective on the landscape of agriculture research in Canada. Tyler proposes that Canada develop a plan to increase agriculture research and development spending to improve the R&D position in Canada and fix a broken system. Tyler also suggested that SRM misses the mark and should focus on creating a landscape that makes it easier to perform R&D, allowing Canada to be more competitive internationally. It was a fantastic discussion that left a lasting impression on the delegates and speakers.

Political Ag Vision Panel

Following Tyler McCann’s presentation, the Political Ag Vision Panel presented the perspectives and approaches of the three national political parties on funding and research in the agricultural sector. The panel, moderated by Shaun Haney, Real Ag, consisted of Alistair MacGregor, MP Cowichan-Malahat-Langford, Larry Maguire, MP Brandon – Souris, and Tim Louis, MP Kitchener, ON.

Panelists discussed research and development funding opportunities in both the private and public sector and what measures are needed to increase Canadian competitiveness, including regulations and a decrease in red tape.

“It’s a balancing act,” said Alistair MacGregor, MP, “but ultimately we want predictability, consistency, and speed in agriculture.”

PBR Update with Anthony Parker

Anthony Parker from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) noted in his presentation that Canada is lagging behind other countries on plant breeders’ rights (PBR). Recent proposed amendments to PBR are intended to improve accessibility and encourage more investment and innovation. There will be a ‘what we heard’ report from this consultation in late summer 2024, which is expected to be published in Gazette I by late fall/early winter, and then again in Gazette II in 2026.

Policy & Issues Committee Discussion sponsored by C&M Seeds

Duane Johnson presented his report on the P&I Committees. We’ll be reviewing the report internally to consider the proposed updates to the structure. After considering the feedback, the Board will decide on the best way forward, and more information will be shared.

Diversity and Inclusion: Building a Workplace Culture for the Future

As the world returns to a “new normal” post COVID, the Diversity and Inclusion panel addressed the need for a continued focus on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in its businesses. Sponsored by Bayer CropScience and moderated by Michelle Wall, Seeds Canada board member and Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, the panel featured Quentin Martin (Cribit Seeds), Moses Palmer (20/20 Seed Labs Inc.) and Cami Ryan (Bayer CropScience). The panelists discussed reducing barriers and creating a system where everyone has access to the industry. As Cami highlighted, diversity helps companies solve unique problem, because unique mindsets are more creative in problem solving.

IP conversations

Client Services hosted over 50 attendees during the lunch hour on Wednesday for the IP Casual Conversations session, sponsored by FP Genetics. Roy van Wyk, Director, Client and Intellectual Property Services and Mel Reekie, Manager, Intellectual Property Programs engaged with the group for an informal and interactive discussion on IP Programs. Current updates on the VUA Platform and declarations were shared and the importance of compliance audits was noted by the group.

Timely Topics

To close off the conference, we heard from four presenters on topics that highlighted the speed in which progress can be made in the industry. Dr. Joel Vander Schaaf presented on Tuberosum Technologies and the cutting-edge breeding programs, research, and variety introduction. Dr. Francis Eudes, Director of Research, Development and Technology for the Science and Technology Branch at AAFC and Dr. John Laurie a research scientist with AAFC biotechnology and gene editing. To end the session, Dr. Nancy Tout, Chief Scientific Officer at the Global Institute for Food Security discussed accelerated breeding as an effort to combat climate change and global food insecurity –showing that the future of seed industry is in fact here – but leaving delegates with the question, are regulations ready?

Elected Leadership

This year also included Seeds Canada’s second Board of Director and Executive elections. We’re happy to introduce Brent Collins (BASF) as the incoming President and Sarah Foster (20/20 Seed Labs Inc.) as the new Vice-President, with Jeff Loessin (Corteva), Ellen Sparry (C&M Seeds), and Michelle Wall (Syngenta) elected to the Executive Board. Thank you to all nominees for running, and congratulations to the newly elected Board members.

A special note of thanks to Ellen Sparry, C&M Seeds (past President and current Executive Board member for her leadership over the last three years in the position of Seeds Canada President. Her guidance has formed the foundation and will ensure a strong future for the organization.

“We are delighted to welcome our new Board members, appoint our distinguished new President and introduce our talented Executive team. With their collective expertise and commitment, I am confident that Seeds Canada will continue to thrive and make a positive impact on the seed industry,” said Barry Senft, CEO of Seeds Canada.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Annual Conference! In addition to the speakers, panelists, discussions, and networking opportunities, we hope you experienced Edmonton – whether you joined us for a round of golf, a tour of a local seed lab, or enjoyed a fun evening at Fort Edmonton – we’re glad you were there!

Hope to see you in Quebec City!

We are already looking forward to connecting with members and partners next year at the 2025 Annual Conference in Quebec City. Mark your calendars – July 8-11 – and stay tuned for more information.

Thank you to all our meeting sponsors!

Their support is greatly appreciated, and we wouldn’t be able to put together a wonderful conference without them. A special note of thanks to BASF for sponsoring the social event at Fort Edmonton Park, Seed World for sponsoring the annual golf tournament, and to SGS, 20/20 Seed Labs Inc, and Seed Check Technologies for welcoming conference delegates to tour your facilities! Big thanks also to Corteva for sponsoring the conference AV.

Media Inquiries:
Lise Newton, Director of Communications and Government Relations

Seeds Canada is the voice of the seed sector in Canada, with members including analysts, breeders, distributors, processors, seed growers and other contributors to the industry, located from coast to coast. Seed is the vital first link in the agriculture value chain, contributing over $6 billion to the economy, employing more than 63,000 Canadians, and exporting more than $700 million annually.

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2023-2024 Year in Review

Post author By Carly Foubert
Post date July 8, 2024

July 10, 2024 – Over the past year, we have continued to build a strong and progressive organization that represents the full seed value chain.

Strengthening communication and engagement with members and clients has been the focus of our third year. In 2023-24, we continued to provide opportunities for our members and clients to engage on key issues and programs that are important to them. We achieved this through the continued implementation of elements of our strategic plan through our communications strategy, the expansion of our online and social media presence, and the development and strengthening of relationships with other national and international industry organizations.
We are proud to present this review of our achievements over the past year. We thank the Board, our members and clients, and our staff for their dedication and commitment to moving our organization forward.

As we look forward to 2024, we are looking forward to continued engagement with Seeds Canada members and clients across Canada. If you would like to know more about becoming a Seeds Canada member, please contact Lorne Hadley. If you would like to learn more about client services offered by Seeds Canada, please contact Roy van Wyk. If you have any questions regarding our 2023-24 Year in Review, please contact Lise Newton.
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Seeds Canada is the leading voice of the seed sector in Canada, with members including analysts, breeders, distributors, processors, seed growers and other contributors to the industry, located from coast to coast. Seed is the vital first link in the agriculture value chain, contributing over $6 billion to the economy, employing more than 63,000 Canadians, and exporting more than $700 million annually.

Media Inquiries:

Director of Government Relations, Lise Newton

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Seeds Canada retains Trish Jordan to continue developing the ISSB concept  

Post author By Carly Foubert
Post date May 22, 2024

OTTAWA, 21 May 2024—Trish Jordan, an experienced agricultural and communications professional, has been selected to continue developing the ISSB concept.  

Due to personal circumstances Dr. Erin Armstrong is unable to continue her consultation and will be transitioning her research to Trish Jordan. This decision underscores our commitment to supporting the industry with continuous improvements in seed regulation and steadfastly focusing on our goals.  

Jordan’s true passion is agriculture. She has always been passionate about the industry. She has been a farmer and agricultural advocate for many years. She has built strong relationships and networks with agricultural stakeholders, farmers, and the general public. In her role as a communicator, she has been able to bridge the gaps and promote understanding within this diverse community. Trish is adept at engaging in conversations about modern agriculture with those who have questions about it.  

Jordan’s work will continue to build on the work of Dr. Erin Armstrong, focusing on assessing the needs of the seed sector and its stakeholders. Jordan’s deliverables will include the development of a comprehensive model, including mandate, scope, representation, structure and governance, as well as a recommended timeline for development. 

“Given Trish’s reputation throughout the agricultural industry as a dedicated problem solver and strategic communications advisor, we are confident that she will bring structure and independence to arrive at a successful conclusion,” says Barry Senft, Seeds Canada CEO. 

During her extensive career in agriculture, Trish has worked for Bayer Crop Science as Senior Business Partner, Government and Industry Affairs; Monsanto as Director, Public & Industry Affairs; and in senior communications roles for the Canadian Wheat Board, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, and Alberta Wheat Pool. Trish holds a B.A. in English from the University of Western Ontario and an M.A. in Communications from the University of Calgary. 

The advisory body concept, introduced by Seeds Canada at the 2022 Annual General Meeting, is positioned as a permanent group of seed and grain industry stakeholders that can provide guidance directly to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The group also allows for greater diversity and transparency of decision-making and prevents conflicts of interest between service delivery and setting standards.  

“Farmers’ ability to access advancements in technology is a vital outcome of a successful regulatory system. The concept of the advisory body is to recommend regulatory changes to CFIA for timely consideration and implementation; the current process takes significant time and can leave farmers without a competitive edge,” says Barry Senft, CEO of Seeds Canada.  

Seeds Canada has been an advocate for the Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) to shift its current operational and technical focus to issues that could make a large impact on the entire agriculture industry, such as a variety of registration frameworks and domestic seed quality assurance needs. Technical and operational details should be transferred to the independent advisory group to resolve on an ongoing basis so they are not bound to the SRM consultation timeframe. The advisory body should be independent of any existing industry association and should report directly to the CFIA. The mandate of the advisory body would include policy related to the seeds regulations, standards, and the amendments of those parts of the regulations which are incorporated by reference. Ensuring our regulations are fit for purpose and relevant to the needs of an evolving sector should not be restricted to a single five-year window.  

Should you have any thoughts or input please contact Trish Jordan on at: TrishLJ@shaw.ca

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Seeds Canada is the leading voice of the Canadian seed sector, representing seed growers, seed analysts, breeders, distributors, processors, retailers, service providers and all stakeholders along the seed value chain from coast to coast. Our mandate is to support the growth of the seed sector in Canada and worldwide, focusing on plant breeding innovation, seed regulatory modernization, international trade, value creation, and plant breeders’ rights. Learn more at Seeds Canada (seeds-canada.ca).  

Media Contact:

For media inquires, please contact Lise Newton, Director of Communications and Government Relations at lnewton@seeds-canada.ca 

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SRM – The Model for Governance in Canada’s Seeds System Needs Repair

Post author By Carly Foubert
Post date April 26, 2024

Canada is known as a nation for our vast agricultural landscapes and advancements in farming practices with a seed certification system we self-describe as a model to emulate. But there is delusion in how we describe our seed system, and I am losing faith that our regulatory modernization process will address a fundamental issue. Lying beneath the surface of our seemingly robust seed framework is a broken governance structure in dire need of repair.

Over the past few years, seed industry stakeholders alongside producer groups have worked with CFIA to review and discuss issues with our current Seeds Regulations and our seed standards. Most of the work we have done has been an exercise in updating and maintenance. The discussions about how we can modernize our seed system, such as our conversations regarding the use of incorporation by reference as a tool to help make our regulatory system more responsive, have been few. But in all our discussions the SRM Working Group and CFIA have not contemplated and resolved a path forward to repair the antiquated, inequitable governance structure of our current seed system. Since CFIA did not share this major shortcoming with the task teams before the work of the task teams started, the task teams have made several uninformed recommendations. Now we see this issue manifested in the current (winter 2024) CFIA stakeholder consultation survey.

The model for governance for our current seed system was established about 120 years ago – yes, 120 years ago – when our parliament passed the Seed Control Act of 1905 and around that same time the government delegated the responsibility of setting our seed crop production standards to CSGA. This was an incredible part of our history and orchestrated by a visionary group of seed growers, scientists, and government officials. But that was an appropriate solution for a time in our history when the only stakeholders in the seed industry were farmers who were producing and selling seed. With 120 years of evolution in the seed industry, consider the diversity of the stakeholders in our seed industry today: seed labs and seed analysts, registered seed establishments and their personnel, seed growers, plant breeders, seed brokers, seed distributors, seed retailers, seed-applied technology companies, seed equipment companies, ASCIS and crop inspectors, producers, and producer groups. Despite this vast group of people and organizations with a stake in seed today, only one stakeholder group beyond is party to our current model of governance – the model established 120 years ago.

This was on the minds of our SRM Working Group members when they asked CFIA to conduct a benchmarking exercise of the seed certification systems in other countries. In early 2023, CFIA commissioned JRG Consulting Group to examine seed systems in other countries to gain a comprehensive understanding of how those systems operate and to assess their effectiveness. With feedback from the SRM Working Group members, CFIA selected six countries for the study: the United States, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the European Union (EU), and Uruguay. One of the undeniable findings from this benchmarking study was that while each system has unique features, in most cases the seed value chain is responsible for coordinating their seed system. From his interview with John Groenewegen from JRG Consulting Group, Marc Zienkewicz reported in his SeedWorld article in August of 2023 that, “This collaborative approach, where industry bodies identify changes and drive consensus, empowers the seed systems to adapt quickly while maintaining compliance with international standards.” No surprise. John Groenewegen’s findings are consistent with my years of experience delivering compliance services in multiple certification schemes: seed certification, food safety certification, organic certification, and sustainability verification. At the apex of any scheme (seed, sustainability, organic, food safety…) is a governance body responsible for overall strategic direction, policy formulation, and decision-making. This governance body encompasses representatives from all key stakeholders.

To modernize Canada’s seed system and correct the inequity in the outdated governance model, I can easily envision a responsible body, at the apex of our seed system, made up of Canada’s seed industry stakeholders, industry associations, audit/inspection/certification bodies, producer groups, relevant experts, and government representatives with the mandate to advise the government on strategic direction and policy formation, and make recommendations on changes to standards and regulations. This in essence is the ISSB concept, and why we see it as an important concept for the future of our seed and grain industries.

Roy van Wyk is the Director of Client and Intellectual Property Services for Seeds Canada and the Industry Co-chair for the CFIA’s Seed Regulatory Modernisation Working Group. Roy has 27 years’ experience in the seed industry. He began his seed industry career in the late 1990s with Advantage Seed Growers and Processor, initially coordinating variety procurement, but within a year or two became General Manager. 4 years later he was hired by Hensall Co-op to manage their seed department. He managed the production and procurement of seed to meet Hensall’s many commercial production contracts for food grade soybeans and edible beans. In 2001, he moved to the Ottawa Valley. He joined the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association. He worked for the CSGA for 10 years, notably leading the work on the original e-pilot for certifying seed crops. In 2011, Roy accepted the role of Executive Director of the Canadian Seed Institute, which became Seeds Canada in 2021. Today, Roy continues to lead Seeds Canada’s client services, which include the ongoing oversight of more than 950 registered seed companies and accredited seed testing laboratories. His passion for agriculture and the seed industry, and his desire to help make a positive difference, is a genuine one.

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Seeds Canada’s Response to the CFIA Survey Questions

Post author By Carly Foubert
Post date April 8, 2024

Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) was framed as the opportunity for the Canadian agriculture sector to modernize seed regulations and enable the seed sector to better deliver the commercial seed products that farmers and grain markets need for future success. Seeds Canada, the national seed value chain organization, has been consulting members and stakeholders since before the SRM consultation window even opened, in an attempt to accurately convey the needs of the sector and represent the diversity of operations, as well as to streamline legislation so that cost of regulation is proportional to mitigated risk, while striving to find a mechanism for more timely and less resource intensive updates in the future.

Seeds Canada is the voice of the Canadian seed sector, representing seed growers, analysts, breeders, distributors, processors, retailers, service providers and all stakeholders along the seed value chain from coast to coast. Our mandate is to support the growth of the seed sector in Canada and worldwide, for the benefit of thriving food systems, sustainable environments, and successful businesses. Delivering innovation is our members’ job. To be successful at that, the cost of delivering quality seed must be kept as low as possible. Farmers know what they need from the seed system with regards to testing and information, and they know there is a point of optimization where steps taken beyond this point do not pay for themselves. At the end of the day, all costs are passed on to the farmer- the price taker- and the seed sector takes this seriously. If farmers are successful, so are we. Of course, the opposite is true as well.

The CFIA’s Winter 2024 Seed Regulatory Modernization Consultation (excluding seed potatoes) opened for feedback on February 9. This online survey covers Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) task team topics: variety registration, seed testing, common seed, and seed exports and imports. It also covers alternative proposals that were submitted through the SRM Working Group. Through extensive consultation with members and stakeholders, Seeds Canada has developed responses to the CFIA survey question. On Tuesday, members will receive Seeds Canada’s organizational survey responses, which they can adapt to their own submissions.

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While some are on the “hot seat,” Seeds Canada is cool-headed and consults with the sector

Post author By Carly Foubert
Post date March 27, 2024

While some prepare to be in the “hot seat” eating hot snacks Seeds Canada has been busy and cool-headed, consulting and listening to our value chain members and stakeholders on what we consider a serious issue with costly implications for the seed sector and farmers.

Seeds Canada welcomes venues that provide the opportunity to ask hard questions and thoughtfully and professionally respond to questions and opinions about this critical and serious issue. We remain committed to ensuring that the sector’s needs and the diversity of its operations are accurately represented.

Seeds Canada approached SRM with an eye on the cost of regulation and ensuring that regulation allows for the existence of diverse operations. In the spirit of embracing the diversity of Canadian cropping systems, Seeds Canada initially proposed the concept of an ISSB – an independent standards-setting body. After consulting with members and stakeholders, this concept has evolved to become an independent, inclusive, and broader-scope industry advisory body.

Seeds Canada envisions an advisory body that would address all aspects of seed regulation and policy, from seed developers to end users, including farmers. This group would be a source of industry-specific feedback to the CFIA on regulations and policies in place. They would provide feedback on regulatory services contracted out to alternative service providers and recommend changes to standards set under the Seed Regulations, including standards for seed crop certification, which the CSGA has the authority to set under a century-old agreement.

Seeds Canada has received support from members and stakeholders for the concept of an independent advisory body, as well as interest from policymakers. We have engaged an independent consultant with knowledge of the entire value chain, to develop the concept further, including research into similar bodies in other regulatory areas and their success.

Seeds Canada held an initial member engagement session on March 4, during which members were invited to discuss the survey and provide comments. Following the engagement session, additional one-on-one outreach was conducted with members. Based on this initial member feedback, we have developed some draft recommended responses to facilitate further consultation. We are holding a second virtual member engagement session on March 28. We will use the feedback to inform our final recommendations, which will be made public and used to inform Seeds Canada’s organizational submission.

Seeds Canada is looking forward to sharing our responses to CFIA’s second winter survey in April.

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Seeds Canada is the leading voice of the Canadian seed sector, representing seed growers, analysts, breeders, distributors, processors, retailers, service providers and all stakeholders along the seed value chain. Our mandate is to support the growth of the seed sector in Canada and worldwide, focusing on plant breeding innovation, seed regulatory modernization, international trade, value creation, and plant breeders’ rights.

Media Contact:

For media inquiries, please contact Lise Newton, Director of Communications and Government Relations and Lauren Comin, Director of Policy.

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Announcing the winners of the Marie-Greeniaus-Award 2020

Post author By Carly Foubert
Post date November 10, 2023

Ottawa – Seeds Canada is pleased to announce the 2020 Marie Greeniaus Outstanding Achievement Award winners. “On behalf of Seeds Canada, I’d like to congratulate Chantal Lecavalier of Sollio Agriculture and Morgan Webb of Seed Check Technologies Inc., who have been awarded the 2020 Marie Greeniaus Outstanding Achievement Award,” said Lorne Hadley, Director of Member Relations.

The CSAAC Outstanding Achievement Award was established in 2005 to recognize seed analyst members who have made a significant contribution to the professionalism of seed science, seed testing, education, leadership, research, and the growth of the seed industry community. The award is fondly remembered as the Marie Greeniaus Outstanding Achievement Award after being renamed in 2006.

“The planned announcement of the winners of the Marie Greeniaus Outstanding Achievement Award in 2020 did not take place due to the pandemic, so to rectify this, we are making the announcement today. We also look forward to honouring them during our Vitual Semi-Annual meeting on November 20, 2023,” Hadley added.

About the winners

Chantal Lecavalier: Chantal is a dedicated team player passionate about performance and agriculture. Chantal has been with Sollio Agriculture for 35 years. As Seed Quality Manager, she manages the seed laboratory, customer service and network operations. Her colleagues recognize her for her strong sense of rigour, ambition, and human touch.

Over the years, Chantal has gained a wealth of experience in the seed sector. She gained this experience being a seed analyst, seed grader, seed importer, and an auditor for Seeds Canada’s RSE program.

She has also served on numerous committees, including the Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada (CSAAC), of which she was the most recent President. Chantal is a leader in the Quebec seed industry and has a long history of advocacy for analysts and the seed industry. She was instrumental in creating a Quebec regional position on the CSAAC board and ensuring that French seed analysts were involved in the association and the industry. Chantal is accredited by CFIA as an Operator of an Approved Conditioner and of an Authorized Importer.

Through her many roles, Chantal has developed a broad understanding of the seed industry, including finance, management, import/export, laws, and regulations. She is a member of Seeds Canada’s Seed Testing and Quality Assurance Steering Committee. Chantal is recognized for her experience, expertise, and commitment to excellence in promoting and growing the seed sector in Canada.

Morgan Webb: Morgan grew up in a farming, agronomy, and botany family on a beef and dairy farm in the foothills of southern Alberta. He graduated with honours from Olds College with a major in Soil Resource Management. Morgan moved to Edmonton to work on Pioneer Hi-Bred Production’s canola breeding research trials. He later joined United Grain Growers’ seed lab as a winter diversion. Morgan was self-taught and became fully accredited seed analyst by the CFIA in 1995.

Morgan worked for 20/20 Seed Labs, becoming a Lab Manger during the eight years he worked there. In 2002 he was a founding member of Seed Check Technologies Inc. a fully accredited seed testing laboratory in Leduc, Alberta. Morgan has been an accredited seed grader, seed import conformance assessor (SICA) and a seed crop inspector for over 30 years. He has trained hundreds of seed graders at Seed Check and in conjunction with Seeds Canada and their new grader training program.

He has served on the board of the Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada (CSAAC) for over 20 years in the roles of President, Western Director, member of the Examination Committee and the Referee and Research Committee. He has served on the ISST, CSI and Seed Grain Advisory Boards, as well as the CFIA, SRM Task Teams and CSGA.

Seeds Canada is the leading voice of the Canadian seed industry, representing seed producers, analysts, breeders, distributors, processors, retailers, service providers and all stakeholders along the seed value chain from coast to coast. Our mandate is to support the growth of the seed sector in Canada and globally, with a focus on plant breeding innovation, seed regulatory modernization, international trade, value creation and plant breeders’ rights.

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Contacts:

Lorne Hadley (English)

Lise Newton (French)

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Seeds Canada 2023 Annual Conference Recap

Post author By Carly Foubert
Post date July 24, 2023

July 20, 2023 – This year’s Seeds Canada Annual Conference – held July 10-12 in St. John’s, Newfoundland – brought together seed analysts, developers, growers, processors, and distributors from across Canada under the theme Seed Innovation = Sustainability.

“Whether it be food supply gaps made more evident by the pandemic or climate events hitting us at increased frequency and severity, we have all been impacted by these disruptions. The unprecedented times have highlighted the critical role seed technology plays. I believe I speak on behalf of our members, leadership, and staff when I say we take our responsibility towards sustainable solutions seriously, which includes advocating for an enabling environment for innovation and timely access to technologies. The discussions held at this meeting – particularly those pertaining to sustainability and regulatory modernization – have been invaluable as we plan our work in the coming months,” said Seeds Canada President Ellen Sparry.

Sustainability was Front and Centre
The meeting featured Dr. Evan Fraser, Director of the Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph, who provided an insightful keynote on the challenges of feeding the future sustainability and opportunities for Canada and the seed sector, noting the solution requires science and technology, as well as policy, education, and economic changes.

Prior to the meeting, Seeds Canada released its draft Sustainability Action Plan for consultation with members. Attendees were given an overview of the Action Plan, which identified four key efforts: Advocate for genetic innovation and seed’s contribution to sustainability; Be a catalyst, facilitator, and supporter of sustainability conversations and initiatives in the seed sector; Partner for impact; and, Develop resources to support members in adopting best practices for sustainable production and delivery of seed and seed technology.

The meeting also featured a panel, moderated by Seed World Group, with five industry leaders who spoke about what sustainability means to their operations and why it is important for our sector to get involved.

Following the panel, attendees took part in table discussions to solicit feedback on the Action Plan and help chart the course forward for Seeds Canada. Staff will work with the feedback to develop a “What We Heard” report and take the next steps on the Action Plan.

Sustainability Panel, L-R: Shawn Brook (Moderator, Seed World Group), Simon Ellis (Ellis Farm Supplies), Georges Chaussé (Sollio Agriculture), Ray Daniels (BASF North America), Karis Gutter (Corteva Agriscience North America), and Trevor Nysetvold (SGS Canada).

Spotlight on Innovation
This year, Germination and Seeds Canada partnered to launch the Innovation Showcase. A call was put out to organizations making strides in agriculture with technology development. The meeting featured presentations from the finalists: 20/20 Seeds Labs, Advanced Molecular and DNA Tests for Crop Threat Identification; Lucent Bio, Micronutrient Seed Coatings for Sustainable Crop Nutrition; and the Buhler Group, AI for Enhanced Seed Processing. The discussions were recorded for the Germination ‘Seed Speaks’ podcast and will be available shortly. More information about the applicants can be accessed here.

Diversity and Inclusion for a Strengthened Workforce
Attendees also heard from Jennifer Wright, Executive Director of Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC), who talked about changes to the workforce through a diversity and inclusion lens. She noted that Canada is currently facing high job vacancies, historically low unemployment, and record retirement rates – and that much of the needed workforce will come from immigrants. She pointed to resources CAHRC has developed, including the Workforce Strategic Plan and an AgriHR toolkit with e-courses, available this Fall.

The meeting also featured recorded remarks from the Honourable Marie Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland.

During the Annual General Meeting portion of the event, Seeds Canada’s CEO, Barry Senft provided an update on Seeds Canada’s initiatives, noting increased communications and engagement with members and clients as the organization’s focus for its second year of operation. As an example, Seeds Canada embarked on its first Winter Tour this year, meeting with over 60 members, clients, and stakeholders in five different provinces.

Seed Regulatory Modernization
Seeds Canada was pleased to welcome the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to its meeting, with remarks from CFIA President, Dr. Harpreet S. Kochhar and John Groenewegen who highlighted his findings from the CFIA-commissioned international benchmarking analysis of seed systems. Seeds Canada has long advocated for a bench marking report to be completed to inform the Seed Regulatory Modernization process. Learn more about Seeds Canada’s takeaways from the report here.

Elected Leadership
This year also included Seeds Canada’s first Board of Director and Executive elections. Seeds Canada is happy to announce that Ellen Sparry (C&M Seeds) continues as President and Brent Collins (BASF) was elected as the new Vice-President. Thank you to all nominees for running, and congratulations to the newly elected Board members.

“Our leadership has always gone above and beyond. I am confident this team will provide excellent direction to our organization. And as we like to say, ‘Let’s see what we can grow, together’. I’m looking forward to the advancements I know we will achieve in the coming year,” said Seeds Canada CEO, Barry Senft.

Seeds Canada would also like to express its sincere gratitude to the Board Members who will be retiring or stepping down, including Dianne Gilhuly (Kent Agri Lab), Georges Chaussé (Sollio Agriculture), Philippe Charlebois (Semican), and Quentin Martin (Cribit Seeds). Their expertise and contributions have greatly strengthened the organization.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in St. John’s, Newfoundland for our Annual Conference. In addition to the meetings, we trust participants enjoyed the warm Newfoundland hospitality with many partaking in whale watching, golfing, socializing, and of course, the customary Newfoundland screech-in ceremony.

Recordings and accompanying documentation will be uploaded to the Seeds Canada website in the coming days.

See you in Edmonton!
We are already looking forward to connect with members and partners next year at the 2024 Annual Conference in Edmonton, Alberta. Mark your calendars – July 8-11 – and stay tuned for more information.

Thank You to All Meeting Sponsors!

Media Inquiries:
Director of Government Relations, Lise Newton

Seeds Canada is the leading voice of the seed sector in Canada, with members including analysts, breeders, distributors, processors, seed growers and other contributors to the industry, located from coast to coast. Seed is the vital first link in the agriculture value chain, contributing over $6 billion to the economy, employing more than 63,000 Canadians, and exporting more than $700 million annually.

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2022-23 Year in Review: Seeds Canada Celebrates Two Years!

Post author By Carly Foubert
Post date July 7, 2023

July 5, 2023 – Over the past year, we have continued to build a strong and progressive organization that represents the entire seed value chain and fosters strong relationships with policymakers.

Within our second year of operation, one of the priorities focused on included increased communications and engagement with members and clients. We held our first in-person Annual Conference followed by a semi-annual meeting, launched a webinar series and monthly industry newsletter, introduced new platforms to support our membership, and embarked on our first national tour to engage with members, clients, and new stakeholders. We have been a leader in various policy files, including seed regulatory modernization, intellectual property protecting, and sustainability.

We have developed our 2022-23 Year in Review as a resource to highlight the work being done by Seeds Canada. Click here to view the 2022-23 Year in Review.

As we look forward to 2023, we are committed to engaging with Seeds Canada members and clients across Canada. If you would like to know more about becoming a Seeds Canada member, please contact Lorne Hadley. If you would like to learn more about client services offered by Seeds Canada, please contact Roy VanWyk. If you have any questions regarding our 2022-23 Year in Review, please contact Lise Newton.

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Media Inquiries:

Director of Government Relations, Lise Newton

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Seeds Canada’s 2022 Semi-Annual Meeting Report

Post author By Selah Katona
Post date December 1, 2022

Thank you to everyone who attended our 2022 Semi-Annual Meeting in Ottawa this week. Were you not able to join us? No problem! Here is a recap of the meetings and discussions that took place.

A Successful Opening Session

Members heard from Mr. Francis Drouin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for Ontario both who extended greetings to members and highlighted their support for Seeds Canada and how they are looking forward to working with Seeds Canada on our key issues.

Seeds Canada’s President Ellen Sparry, and Executive Director, Barry Senft, opened the first in-person Semi-Annual session with greetings and updates on Seeds Canada’s initiatives and what we have been up to since our Annual Meeting in July.

Congratulations Dr. Istvan Rajcan on receiving the 2021 CPBI Award!

Seed Regulatory Modernization Was Front and Centre This Week

Director of Policy, Lorne Hadley and Regulatory Affairs Manager, Lauren Comin, spoke at an SRM session followed by a Q&A session with members. They gave an SRM update and presented Seeds Canada’s position on task team findings. There was discussion surrounding seed certification, variety registration, and grade tables.

Members heard the most recent updates on the CFIA SRM process, and how completed Task Team recommendations are aligning with Seeds Canada’s SRM policy principles and Functional Framework.

Members participated in an in-depth update on consultations on our Functional Framework and the ISSB (Seed Value Chain). Members also heard the feedback the Board has received from members and proposed next steps. There was a lively discussion and substantive feedback on the Framework and next steps.

The Policy and Issues Committees Met

Intellectual Property Rights Policy & Issues Committee – Anthony Parker of the Plant Breeders’ Rights Office joined us to review updates on Plant Breeders’ Rights and Variety Protection Files. Following, Seeds Canada’s Intellectual Property Services Manager, Mel Reekie, provided an update on the VUA platform.

Biotechnology Policy and Issues Committee – Jennifer Hubert, from Croplife Canada, presented on Plant Breeding Innovation policy progress and Regulatory Affairs Manager, Lauren Comin, provided an update on the Seeds Canada transparency database.

Oilseeds, Pulses, & Western Cereals Policy & Issues Committee – Henry de Gooijer from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, discussed a benchmarking study on public plant breeding. Lauren Comin presented on the discontinuation of the prairie canola performance trials followed by a prerecorded video of Chris Vervaet of the Canadian Oilseed Processers Association speaking on the clean fuel policy.

Corn, Soybeans, & Eastern Cereals Policy & Issues Committee – Heather Russell of the Atlantic Grains Council presented on their new corn seed checkoff in a pre-recorded video. Georges Chaussee, of Sollio Agriculture, spoke about pesticide policies in Quebec followed by Luis Luque of CropLife providing an update on their managing resistance grower contest.

Senator Rob Black Joined the Closing President’s Reception

To close off the first day, President Ellen Sparry, welcomed members to the President’s Reception. Guests heard greetings from Senator Rob Black, Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture.

Roy van Wyk, Dave Lockman, and Mel Reekie, Seeds Canada’s Client Services, and Intellectual Property team, attended at the Semi-Annual Meeting where they met with members and clients. They answered questions on our client services, the VUA platform, IP services and more.

See you in Newfoundland!

We’re excited to connect with our members next year, at the 2023 Annual Meeting in St. John’s Newfoundland! The Annual Meeting will take place from July 10-12, 2023, at the Delta Hotels St. John’s Conference Centre. We will share more details in the New Year.

Seeds Canada is the leading voice of the seed sector in Canada, with members including analysts, breeders, distributors, processors, seed growers and other contributors to the industry, located from coast to coast. Seed is the vital first link in the agriculture value chain, contributing over $6 billion to the economy, employing more than 63,000 Canadians, and exporting more than $700 million annually.

Media Inquiries:

Lise Newton
lnewton@seeds-canada.ca
343-777-3867

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