CSGA regularly reviews the Canadian Regulations and Procedures for Pedigreed Seed Crop Production (Circular 6), which sets out the requirements a seed grower and a seed crop must meet for seed crop certification.
These reviews ensure that CSGA’s certification requirements and standards continue to address stakeholder needs, reflect the most recent science and technology, and are harmonized with our international trading partners. CSGA is committed to transparent standards review processes and standards that are fit for purpose. These standards provide traceability and high levels of varietal purity so Canadian producers can realize the benefits of improved varieties.
The Consultation
CSGA is currently seeking stakeholder feedback on proposed revisions to the previous land use requirements for all classes of pedigreed cereal and small grain seed crops, including barley, buckwheat, canary seed, durum, flax, oat, rye, triticale and wheat. The proposed revisions also include updates to the General Requirements for Plot Production and Probation Plot Production to improve clarity, consistency and ease of interpretation.
The proposed revisions have been developed through CSGA’s Cereal Working Group and Regulatory Services Committee and are intended to simplify previous land use requirements, better reflect modern production practices, and maintain the safeguards necessary to protect varietal purity and the integrity of Canada’s pedigreed seed certification system.
Stakeholders are invited to review the full consultation document, which provides additional background information and a detailed summary of the proposed revisions, and to submit feedback during the consultation period. Feedback received will help inform recommendations to the Regulatory Services Committee and the CSGA Board of Directors.
How to Participate
Your feedback on these proposed revisions to Circular 6 helps ensure a responsive and effective seed certification system that supports Canadian agriculture. We encourage you to share your thoughts by participating in this short survey or reaching out directly via email to both Mike Scheffel and Gail Harris.
Members of the entire seed sector value chain are invited to participate and share their feedback. The survey is now open until February 1, 2027, at 5 pm ET.
Thank you, your input is greatly appreciated!
Background Information
The Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA) provides a national program of seed crop certification for the benefit of Canadian agriculture. The CSGA is named in the Seeds Act and mandated by regulation to certify the varietal identity and purity of seed crops in Canada other than seed potatoes.
The certification requirements for pedigreed seed crop production are prescribed by CSGA’s Canadian Regulations and Procedures for Pedigreed Seed Crop Production, commonly referred to as Circular 6 and are reviewed annually as part of CSGA’s Standards Development Framework.
CSGA is committed to consulting with stakeholders before implementing any revisions. Supported by eight crop-specific working groups, the Regulatory Services Committee reviews proposed changes and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval prior to implementation.
