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March 23, 2026 – Sarah Foster, President 20/20 Seed Labs Inc.

I’ve been reflecting on the growing conversation surrounding the vulnerability of Canada’s plant breeding programs and the role independent seed testing laboratories can play in supporting their future.

As technical partners to plant breeders, seed companies, and seed growers, independent laboratories evaluate thousands of seed lots every year. This frontline perspective gives us a clear and sobering view of how climate stress, disease pressure, and environmental volatility are impacting seed quality across Western Canada and beyond.

Plant breeding, both public and private, must continue to thrive. It is fundamental to develop new varieties with stronger disease resistance, greater climate resilience, improved nutritional quality, and higher yield potential. These innovations are not simply agronomic advancements; they are essential pillars of global food security.

Yet today, only a third of Western Canadian wheat acres are planted with certified seed. That reality places long-term wheat production, innovation, and investment at risk. Sustainable and equitable royalty systems are critical to ensuring that breeders driving genetic progress can continue their work. Without fair compensation and reinvestment into breeding programs, the entire agricultural value chain is affected.

Seed testing laboratories generate a vast and powerful body of data that supports growers and agronomists every season. From crop rotation and disease prevention to regional varietal performance, accredited labs measure key seed quality metrics such as:

• Germination
• Purity
• Vigour
• Thousand kernel weight
• Seed health
• Insect and pest presence

This data guides production decisions and has the potential to strengthen breeding programs by helping evaluate parent lines, monitor long-term trends, and demonstrate the need for continued genetic advancement in our crops.

As seed analysts, we witness these challenges firsthand. Weather patterns have become increasingly unpredictable. Harvest conditions across Western Canada over the past several years have been particularly difficult. Every spring, we hope for warm, moist soils that allow crops to establish strongly—yet those conditions are never guaranteed. Against this backdrop, the idea that our plant breeding systems are under threat is deeply concerning.

Seed quality is foundational to everything that follows in the growing season. Without strong genetics and resilient varieties, the system becomes increasingly fragile.

This challenge cannot be solved by one stakeholder alone. Long-term stability will require thoughtful institutional and policy changes that recognize the value of innovation while ensuring access and fairness. We can learn from other countries that have successfully balanced:

• Strong intellectual property protection
• Incentives for innovation
• Support for public breeding
• Protection of seed sovereignty
• Inclusion of small breeders alongside multinationals

A resilient breeding ecosystem must reward innovation while preserving diversity and accessibility.

So, how can we help?

As independent laboratories, we are uniquely positioned as neutral technical partners within the system. By sharing data responsibly, supporting transparency, collaborating with breeders, growers, policymakers and industry leaders, we can help inform decisions that protect the future of plant breeding in Canada.

This is not just an industry conversation it is conversation about building a stronger path forward. 

August 13, 2025 – After a five-year consultation, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has released their Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) Policy paper “Future-proofing Canada’s Seeds Regulations for a stronger tomorrow – Proposals to modernize Canada’s seed regulatory framework”. Seeds Canada staff and members invested considerable effort into this initiative, serving on the Working Group, participating in task teams and submitting feedback through online consultations.  

Seeds Canada is pleased to see recognition of the value of an external seed advisory committee, with balanced representation from across the value chain, to provide advice to the CFIA’s Seed Program. In 2022, Seeds Canada introduced the concept of an independent, inclusive industry advisory body (at the time presented as the “ISSB”) to provide input into the Seeds Regulations, including advising on policy, services and standards related to the commercialization and sale of seed.

In 2025, Seeds Canada and the Canadian Seed Grower’s Association (CSGA) released a joint statement supporting the advisory body concept. Seeds Canada would not only like to see the advisory committee established but envisions it playing a role in amending regulations that are proposed for incorporation by reference and in other future explorations and discussions that require input from the seed value chain. 

Unfortunately, given the time and resources invested over the last five years, and the promises made with regards to the impact of the process at its inception, the proposed amendments that are detailed in the policy paper do not satisfy the industry’s need for modernization. When viewed under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new lens of regulatory transformation, the SRM proposal lands far from hitting the mark. While there are some positive changes that relieve operational pinch points, there are other changes where the suggested reductions of regulatory burden are exaggerated, as well as others where additional burden is added. In addition, included in the paper are several suggestions to explore future changes. Continuous improvement is positive. However, these explorations could have taken place over the past five years. Exploration will not guarantee change and cannot be considered to contribute to regulatory modernization process.  

Incorporating portions of the regulations by reference introduces much-needed agility into the regulatory framework,  a change welcomed by the seed sector. Seeds Canada recommends that the external seed advisory committee be actively involved in identifying when amendments are necessary and guiding how those changes are implemented. That said, the policy document’s proposed changes fall short of meaningfully improving farmers’ access to seed or reducing seed costs through regulatory streamlining. Therefore, in line with Prime Minister Carney’s welcomed emphasis on the need for regulatory change to investment and increase innovation, Seeds Canada urges the government not to consider the modernization of the seed regulatory framework complete with the publication of this document or the conclusion of the formal Seed Regulatory Modernization process. The regulations governing seed production and sale must remain a priority for future regulatory transformation initiatives, recognizing that substantial work remains to be done.  

Seeds Canada will work with our members to review the policy document and provide feedback to the CFIA. We encourage members to participate in engagement sessions and submit their own feedback by the October 3, 2025, deadline. Seed is an essential input in the agricultural value chain and a key contributor to competitiveness and sustainability of our industry. Reducing the regulatory burden of getting innovation into the hands of the farmer customer is critical for the value chain’s success.  

July 10, 2025 – Seeds Canada is proud to share its 2024–2025 Year in Review, highlighting a year of meaningful progress for the seed sector.  

Seeds Canada has made major strides in advocacy, Intellectual Property protection, and member value through launching the Seed Tip Line, advocating for regulatory reform, expanding client services, and championing sustainability through the Guide to Sustainable Seed. With a new committee structure and a successful Annual Conference, Seeds Canada continues to strengthen our organization for the future. As the sector evolves, Seeds Canada remains committed to driving forward a resilient, innovative, and collaborative seed industry in Canada.  

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. 

July 10, 2025 – For the last six months, the Seeds Canada policy team has been developing, in tandem with our members, the Guide to Sustainable Seed. After several consultations and incorporating both synchronous and asynchronous feedback, we are proud to present a tool built by and for our members. The Guide explores the sustainability efforts across four key areas of the Canadian seed industry:

• Plant Breeding
• Seed Production
• Seed Conditioning
• Seed Retail

Each section of the Guide begins with a brief overview before then explaining the processes and practices for sustainable outcomes. Throughout the document, we have included highlights that focus specifically on the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of each section. The Guide is a non-prescriptive communications tool for our members to use when advocating for the sustainability efforts of the seed sector. It will also help Seeds Canada identify sustainability gaps to lead future sustainability projects.

The guide was officially launched at the 2025 Seeds Canada Annual Conference. 

(May 20, 2025, Ottawa, ON) Seeds Canada extends its congratulations to the newly elected Liberal government, under Prime Minister Mark Carney, and to the newly appointed cabinet, including the Minister of Agriculture, Heath MacDonald. Seeds Canada looks forward to working collaboratively to advance the interests of Canadian agriculture and innovation by building a policy environment that enhances the seed sector’s competitiveness globally, prioritizes plant breeding innovation, and supports our farmers.

Regrettably, there has been a prolonged period where multiple governments have not actively supported agricultural innovation in Canada. Due to outdated regulations and policies, an environment has emerged that discourages investment in new technology. This situation is making Canada less competitive. If we do not take action, our capacity to innovate, attract investment, and help Canada become a leading global agricultural powerhouse will continue to decline.

“With a supportive government, the Canadian seed industry has an opportunity to thrive under regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation enabling competition and consumer choice,” says Brent Collins, President of Seeds Canada. “The success of our industry, and most importantly the farmers we serve, hinges on our ability to innovate, making it essential for us to continually push the boundaries of what is possible.”

We invite Prime Minister Carney and cabinet to work with Seeds Canada to:

·       Create a positive environment for investment in plant breeding and variety development.

·       Focus regulations and government resources on health, safety and market access, eliminating unnecessary regulations. 

·       Ensure all regulated and impacted parties have a voice in seed related regulations, as well as a vehicle for continuous improvement of regulations.

(Feb 5, 2025, Ottawa, ON) —  The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) is pleased to welcome Seeds Canada as a Friend of CAFTA, reinforcing a shared commitment to advocating for a more open and fair international trading environment for agriculture and agri-food.

Seeds Canada represents members across the seed value chain and is dedicated to fostering innovation and ensuring access to the highest quality seed for Canadian farmers, producers, and processors. Their decision to join CAFTA highlights a shared vision of advancing trade opportunities and strengthening Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sectors through improved access to global markets.

“We’re proud to welcome Seeds Canada as a Friend of CAFTA,” said Greg Northey, President of CAFTA. “Their expertise in the seed industry will add significant value to our efforts to champion trade policies that open doors for Canadian farmers and agri-food exporters. Together, we can continue driving growth and opportunity for Canadian agriculture in global markets.”

“We are excited to join CAFTA, aligning our efforts to promote a more open and equitable international trading environment for our members, and all of agriculture and agri-food” says Brent Collins, Seeds Canada President. “By partnering with CAFTA, we look forward to collectively enhancing trade opportunities and supporting the growth of Canada’s agriculture sector.” 

Seeds Canada’s support as a Friend of CAFTA underscores the critical role of trade advocacy and collaboration in maintaining Canada’s position as a global leader in agriculture and agri-food exports.

About CAFTA:

The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) is a coalition of national and regional organizations that support freer and fair international trading environment for Canada’s agri-food sector. Representing producers, processors, and exporters of agri-food products, CAFTA advocates for the removal of trade barriers and the creation of trade agreements that enhance access to global markets. Our members are committed to ensuring that Canadian agri-food products remain competitive on the international stage, driving economic growth and supporting the livelihoods of thousands of Canadians. For more information, visit www.cafta.org.

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.”   

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