November 25, 2022

We've Been Busy!

Where did autumn go? It has been an incredibly busy few months here at CSGA, and we’d like to share a few highlights with you.

Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) was top of mind. Numerous outreach meetings to discuss CSGA’s policy positions were held through the fall season with senior Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) officials, the federal Agricultural Minister, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau and elected officials, including MP Kody Blois (Agriculture Committee Chair) and MP John Barlow (Conservative Agriculture Critic).

CSGA also met with the Canadian Grain Commission, provincial commodity and grower groups, and seed companies to review SRM matters. We continue to work with our regional branches to meet with provincial producer and commodity associations.

Seven Seed Grower Organizations Connected, Communicating and Collaborating

We all recognize the value of solid relationships. CSGA national and the regional branches have worked together closely for decades to ensure strong grassroot leadership built on mutual understanding and trust. The Branches bring different views and expertise to the table. This diversity keeps us strong and able to work on behalf of Canadian agriculture.

Last week, CSGA National, the Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers’ Association, the Saskatchewan Seed Growers’ Association, the Manitoba Seed Growers’ Association, the Ontario Seed Growers’ Association, les Producteurs de semences du Québec and the Maritime Branch signed an affiliation agreement for joint work planning, education, advocacy, and communication.

While we are all independent organizations, the agreement reinforces our collaboration and commitment to quality seed and a strong seed certification system. It establishes clear roles and responsibilities for us all. It formalizes the arrangements and aims to ensure stakeholder engagement in a next-generation seed certification system that is professional, resilient and meets the diverse needs of Canada’s agri-food economy.

Our national and regional Boards are volunteer organizations. CSGA thanks the Branch Executive Directors, Presidents, and members of the Boards for their dedication and cooperation in getting this historic agreement across the line.

We invite you to read the press release here.

Missed Our Standards Setting Webinar? Watch It Now

Everyone knows CSGA provides the national seed crop certification program for Canada. But did you know that our internationally-recognized standards development process is a core CSGA mandate linked directly to the Seeds Act?

On November 8, our Executive Director, Doug Miller, led a webinar and Q&A session about our standard setting principles and the diversity of value chain stakeholders involved in our committees and expert working groups.

Participants learned about the opportunities we have for the continued modernization of CSGA’s standard development process through CSGA 2.0 concepts, such as a Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee and external appointments to CSGA Committees.

You can watch the webinar on our YouTube channel.

Have Your Say on Proposed Revisions to the Breeder Seed Regulations

Breeder seed is the parent seed for all other certified seed production. Quality Breeder seed ensures the advances of plant breeding innovations are realized for the benefit of Canadian agriculture.

The Canadian Regulations and Procedures for Breeder Seed Crop Production describe the requirements related to CSGA recognition of plant breeders, Breeder seed crop production, and the approval of Breeder seed. These regulations are now being reviewed.

Public consultation for feedback on the proposed revisions is open until January 15, 2023. We are looking for input from all value chain stakeholders, including plant breeders, seed growers, seed companies and CSGA Accredited Select plot growers, who work closely with plant breeders to deliver plant breeding innovation. Feedback can be submitted by email, phone at 613-236-0497, ext. 227 or a 10-minute online survey.

All responses are strictly confidential and will be presented only in aggregate. Following the consultation period, the Regulatory Services Committee will present final recommendations to the Board of Directors in March 2023

WEBINAR ALERT!

Join us on Monday, December 12, from 12:30 to 2:00 pm ET for a webinar discussion on the proposed Breeder Seed Regulations’ revisions.

The webinar will describe the proposed changes and the rationale behind them. A question-and-answer session will follow, allowing everyone the opportunity to provide feedback.

Accredited plot growers, plant breeders, variety developers, and crop certificate assignees are encouraged to attend, though everyone is welcome.

The webinar will be presented in English, with French interpretation provided. Register now!

Summary of Proposed Changes to the Breeder Seed Regulations

• Clarifying the authority of recognized plant breeders (RPBs) and associate plant breeders (APBs) and permitting APBs to perform certain activities if the RPB overseeing the APB specifically authorizes them to do so, e.g., complete an Application for a Breeder Seed Crop Certificate (Form 43).
• Making completion of the CSGA Learn Plant Breeder Program a mandatory requirement for individuals applying for recognition for both the RPB and APB classifications.
• Simplifying the quality management system “audit frequency” requirements and requiring an audit be completed every five (5) years.
• Requiring a formal “application for approval” to obtain some basic information (e.g., year of production and location where the seed was produced) for all Breeder seed not certified by CSGA used to plant seed crops for certification in Canada where Select, Foundation, Registered or Certified seed is being produced.
• Introducing a minimum standard for varietal purity of Breeder seed equivalent to the Foundation standard.
• Introducing a minimum standard for mechanical purity for Breeder seed equivalent to the standard for Canada Certified No. 1.
• Revising the Application for a Breeder Seed Crop Certificate (F43) to include a declaration from the applicant that the Breeder seed harvested from the plot had been tested for diseases observed in the plot, with the addition of several diseases to the list of diseases where there is sufficient risk of the disease being transmitted by seed to warrant testing, rather than always requiring disease test results for those kinds/diseases.

Full details on the proposed revisions are available here.

Have You Signed Up for CSGA Learn?

In late October, CSGA Learn, Canada’s first online seed learning platform offering education resources for the seed sector, officially launched! Now everyone in seed production will understand what goes into the Certified blue tag. Seed sector experts developed the learning materials based on the official Canadian National Occupational Standards for seed production.

CSGA Learn increases your knowledge and production skills to help uphold Canada’s reputation as a reliable supplier of quality Certified seed.

With ten courses and four programs, CSGA Learn can help you stand out in the modern marketplace and take your seed skills and businesses to the next level. Find out more here!

Each course includes field crop photos, how-to videos, glossaries, reference links, best management practices, and practical advice from experienced seed growers.

1. Introduction to the Canadian Seed Sector (offered free of charge)
2. Seed Certification Classes
3. Producing Foundation, Registered and Certified Seed Crops
4. Seed Crop Certification Process and Traceability
5. Pre-Inspection and Roguing 101
6. Plot Production
7. Harvest, Handling and Storage
8. Processing, Testing and Selling Seed
9. Building Your Team
10. Breeder Seed Production

You play a vital role in the Canadian Seed Sector! Sign up today!

Letter from Our Executive Director

Earlier this month, our Executive Director, Doug Miller sent out a letter to various key stakeholders helping to keep them informed and engaged in a next-generation seed system.

In this new communication piece, CSGA will be sending regular updates to sector stakeholders on seed certification, Seed Regulatory Modernization and the issues that mean the most to the Canadian seed sector. Each newsletter will be shared here in Seed Scoop as well.

To read and subscribe to the inaugural newsletter, please click here. We hope that you find value in these topical updates.

Our priorities are efficiency, transparency, and trust – enhancing our governance, strengthening connections along the value chains. As always, should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to via email or phone 613.236.0497 ext. 229.

The 2022 CSGA Seed Crop Certification Acreage and Membership Report is Here!

In 2022, CSGA certified 1,247,836 acres of seed, including 12,587 fields and 2,389 plots.

The comprehensive report provides a detailed breakdown of CSGA-certified seed crop production levels and membership numbers for the last seven years, with 2021-2022 changes highlighted in red.

Overall, acreage decreased by 6,036 acres in 2022 from 2021, with the biggest declines in barley, faba beans, lentils, and wheat. Of the 11 crop kinds that saw increases, oats, canola, and alfalfa were the highest gains. Manitoba saw the greatest loss at nearly 18,000 acres, while Alberta and Ontario saw increases of nearly 12,000 and 5,000 acres, respectively. 

You can find our complete 2022 CSGA Seed Crop Certification Acreage and Membership Report online.

Mark Your Calendars for the Branch AGMs

The six CSGA regional Branches have announced dates for their Annual General Meetings (AGM) Participating in your regional branch AGM allows you to help shape the provincial and national CSGA organizations as we work together on issues that affect CSGA members.

Your Branch AGM is an excellent way to stay updated on local opportunities and share feedback on issues. Take advantage of the opportunity to meet and engage with people who share a similar passion.

The 2022-2023 Regional Branch Annual General Meeting dates are:

• Manitoba Seed Growers’ Association: December 8, 2022, in Headingley, MB
• Saskatchewan Seed Growers’ Association: January 12, 2023, in Saskatoon, SK
• Ontario Seed Growers’ Association: January 26, 2023, in Guelph, ON
• Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers’: February 2, 2023, in Edmonton, AB
• Producteurs de semences du Québec: February 16, 2023, in Riviere du loup, QC

Note: The Maritime Branch held its AGM on November 23, 2022, in Moncton, NB.

Additional information will be posted online once available. Please contact your Branch for further details.