January 23, 2024

Exploring CSGA Membership Classes for an Inclusive Seed Certification System

As part of CSGA’s ongoing efforts to develop an inclusive next-generation seed certification system, we are starting a conversation about reintroducing Affiliate and Associate membership classes to increase stakeholder engagement and align with our CSGA 2.0 business plan and Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) vision.

As CSGA strives to be the main administrator of Canada’s seed certification system, our proposal to expand membership classes helps ensure that all regulated parties engaged in Canada’s seed certification system can become members of our Association.

Detailed information on this proposal and a FAQ are available for your review. It is important to note that this is not an ‘all-or-nothing approach.’ Instead, this proposal is about living CSGA’s 2.0 business plan, ensuring more stakeholder engagement in Canada’s seed certification system, and working towards CSGA’s SRM vision. 

The proposed Affiliate membership would be open to any person, partnership, or organization supporting pedigreed seed production but who does not currently meet the requirements for CSGA Regular membership. This includes seed growers and plant breeders who are inactive but wish to maintain CSGA membership, seed analysts, crop inspectors, and seed companies not actively producing breeder or hybrid crops. Proposed rights for this class include attending member sessions, submitting proposals, voting on relevant CSGA topics, and the potential for board representation.

The proposed Associate membership is geared toward associations involved in or interested in pedigreed seed production. This encompasses seed sector associations, national and provincial producer associations, and international organizations. Like affiliate membership, rights include attending sessions and submitting proposals but without board representation.

The expanded membership proposal does not seek to change CSGA’s existing Regular member class, its rights or privileges, or the trusted grower model upon which CSGA’s seed crop certification model is based. Nor does it seek to change how our regional branches nominate candidates to CSGA’s Board of Directors.

Attending your Branch AGM is a great way to be part of this critical discussion. We value your input and want to hear your thoughts on this proposal to develop an inclusive next-generation seed certification system.

At this time, we are simply starting a discussion with members at Branch AGMs to gauge if reintroducing the two membership classes makes sense. If member feedback is positive, CSGA will proceed with a public consultation phase and a Special General Meeting (SGM) for members to vote on potential By-Law amendments related to these proposed changes.

“What We Heard” in the Fall 2023 Consultation on Forage and Turf Grasses and Forage Legumes Revisions to Circular 6 Revisions

CSGA recently conducted a stakeholder consultation seeking feedback on proposed revisions to the standards in Sections 6 and 7 of Canadian Regulations and Procedures for Pedigreed Seed Crop Production (Circular 6) related to the mechanical purity of forage and turf grasses and forage legumes. A summary of the feedback received can be found in the What We Heard Report, which includes a brief overview of the consultation, a list of stakeholders who contributed to the discussion, and a summary of what we heard. The report also includes a brief description of revisions to the original proposal and the rationale for doing so.

Feedback from the consultation was presented to the Regulatory Services Committee in mid-December, which recommended that the proposed standards be sent to the CSGA Board of Directors for their review and consideration. If approved, the revised standards will be posted to CSGA’s website on February 1, 2024, and will become effective for the 2024 crop production season.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the consultation process. If you have any questions about the consultation, what we heard, or the proposed revisions to Circular 6, please contact us by email or call (613) 236.0497, ext. 227.

Our Digital Seed Tags Pilot Continues

In June 2023, we announced the launch of our digital seed tag pilot project. Digital seed tags can increase the value and confidence in pedigreed seed, create new value-add opportunities, reduce administrative burden, and increase the integrity of our certification system.  

Thank you to those who participated in Phase One. Those participants tested SeedCert’s new tag printing functionality using their own printing equipment and provided us with feedback, helping to ensure a smooth and user-friendly process.

With those improvements, we are ready to launch Phase Two of the project for Breeder and Select seed tags, the two pedigreed seed classes within CSGA’s authority.

Phase Two allows participants to print Breeder and Select seed tags from SeedCert using their printing equipment on CSGA-provided tag stock. The tags provide improved security measures and a QR code that, when scanned, links to a Tag Validation Page, verifying the authenticity of the seed and providing the option of sharing additional seed information with growers, assignees, and buyers.

Digital Seed Tags in the Marketplace

In Phase Two, digital tags may be applied to Breeder or Select status seed produced in 2023; hence, a limited number of seed bags with the new tags will be in the marketplace in 2024. Please be aware of the following:

The new digital tags are larger than the standard Breeder and Select seed tags currently in use. They may be printed on paper or synthetic card stock, with a new design including a QR code, Tag No., Serial No., and security microtext.

The QR code can be scanned with a smartphone to access information related to the seed through the validation webpage. This page contains variety information, security features, and a support document section where the seed grower may voluntarily share support documents.

Please note that the digital tags are still in the pilot phase, and the design and functionality are subject to change as the pilot progresses and participant feedback is generated.

If you produced Breeder or Select seed in 2023 and would like to volunteer to participate in Phase 2, please email Certification Officer Alex Bouma. As limited spaces are available, please indicate your interest soon.

Congratulations to our 2023 Long Service Seed Growers!

In recognition of their decades of pedigreed seed production in Canada, please help us congratulate the 284 CSGA members who received their Long Service Certificates in 2023!

Ranging from 15 to an incredible 65 years of production, we thank you for your tireless work supporting the Certified seed brand and Canadian agriculture.

Digital certificates were sent out in January, and those celebrating 35 years or more will also receive a certificate by mail. For the complete list of recipients, please click here.

Looking to Purchase Seed for Next Crop Season?

Seed buyers nationwide are making their seeding plans for the upcoming crop year. CSGA’s online National Pedigreed Seed Locator and the provincial seed guides are important resources to locate and purchase seed of the variety and class needed for your farming operation. Use the search menu in Seed Locator to find Pedigreed seed by province, crop kind and variety.

Don’t Compromise on Your Health! Join CSGA Health Today

Have you inquired about CSGA Health coverage yet? CSGA Health is an affordable, customizable health and dental insurance program for those in the Canadian seed sector, including:

• Seed growers and their families
• CSGA Provincial and Regional Branch employees and their families
• Crop inspectors and Authorized Seed Crop Inspection Services (ASCIS)
• Seed analysts, laboratories, businesses and their employees

Every CSGA Health plan is unique and customized to suit your needs and the needs of your family and employees, allowing you personal peace of mind and improving employee attraction and retention, no matter the shape and size of your seed business. Learn more here and request a quote anytime.

Promote #ChooseCertifiedSeed

You know the importance of choosing certified seed, and now over half a million Canadians do too! We are thrilled with the results of our #ChooseCertifiedSeed campaign, reaching over 689,000 people and counting!

By highlighting the importance and benefits of Canadian Certified seed, we’re compelling farmers, food processors, and consumers to choose Certified seed for quality results.

The campaign features a beautifully designed microsite, showcasing the many benefits of Certified seed, and videos using the people and voices who know Certified seed than anyone.

While we’ve been promoting the campaign across social media, we need your support to spread the word. Proudly display your support for Certified seed by liking, commenting and sharing our social media posts, or by using our unbranded content in posts of your own.  You can by download shareable materials here. Don’t forget to use #ChooseCertifiedSeed!

#ShowYourReceipts - Support Bill C-234

The Agriculture Carbon Alliance is asking for your support on Bill C-234. Its new campaign, #ShowYourReceipts, is encouraging Canadian producers to share their receipts, highlighting the impacts of carbon tax on their operations. The campaign aims to show Senators and Members of Parliament the real impact carbon pricing has on Canadian agriculture and urge them to pass Bill C-234 in its original form into law as soon as possible. Click here to access the campaign.

Recognizing Breeding Achievement – 2024 CPBI Recipients

CSGA is proud to sponsor Seed World Canada’s Canadian Plant Breeder Innovation Scholarship Awards, where each year, scholarships are awarded to students enrolled at a master’s or Ph.D. level in plant breeding or plant genetics.

This year, three outstanding students each received a $3,500 scholarship as part of these awards.

Congratulations, Laura Esquivel Garcia, Rajbir Kaur, and Sheila Maria Pereira de Andrade! Read more about each of them here.