March 2014

Major Changes to the Application for Seed Crop Certification

In 2014, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will no longer be inspecting fields of the crop kinds in Sections 2 and 3 of CSGA Regulations and Procedures for Pedigreed Seed Crop Production (Circular 6). Foundation, Registered and Certified fields of most annual crops must now be inspected by an Authorized Seed Crop Inspection Service (ASCIS). The CFIA will still be inspecting plots and non Section 2 and Section 3 crops. 

There have been significant changes to the application process for 2014. Most importantly, seed growers may have to arrange for their field inspections with an ASCIS before submitting an Application for Seed Crop Certification to CSGA. 

Application packages are being mailed out to seed growers in early April and will contain the full list of inspection services available in your area. Members with email addresses in their account will receive this years’ package electronically by email.

For complete information on Alternative Service Delivery or the Application for Seed Crop Inspection, please refer to our website.

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Penalty and Payment Changes in 2014

New in 2014, seed growers are no longer required to complete a Fee Worksheet at the time of application.  An invoice will be sent for applicable fees upon receipt of the application. Credit card or debit card payments will be accepted through the Members’ Area website.

CSGA membership and acreage fees are not changing in 2014. However, to assure a smooth transition to Alternative Service Delivery, new penalties have been established.  They are:

Incomplete Application Penalty:

Hard copy applications must be submitted on the new 2014 Application for CSGA Seed Crop Certification.  Applications received on any other form (including CSGA application forms from previous years) will incur an Incomplete Application Penalty of $25 per application (field).  An Authorized Seed Crop Inspection Service (ASCIS) must be designated, on a field by field basis, on your application.  An Incomplete Application Penalty of $25 per application (field) will be applied to applications received without a designated inspection service.

No Fax Number or Email Address on File

The Application for Membership in CSGA must contain a valid email or fax number.  Seed grower accounts without a valid email or fax number on file will result in a $25 per application (field) penalty.

Cancellation Penalty

In the event that an inspection is cancelled after the application has been received by CSGA, a fee equal to 50% of the CSGA Acreage Fee will be applicable.

Late Payment Penalty

A Late Payment Penalty of 1.5% per month will be applied to all invoices not paid within 30 days of the invoice date.

All fees for crop inspections performed by an ASCIS should be paid directly to the ASCIS. Growers are only required to submit payment to CSGA for CSGA fees, Branch fees and, where applicable, the assessments for inspections by the CFIA. The assessments for crop inspections performed by CFIA have increased.  For a full listing of applicable fees, please refer to the Application Support Document on our website.

Changes to Circular 6

The official version of Circular 6, the Regulations and Procedures for Pedigreed Seed Crop Production, has been updated on the CSGA website to reflect the regulation changes approved by the CSGA Board of Directors.  Effective in 2014, regulation changes have been made to previous land use requirements for Select plots of spring wheat.  The second inspection requirement for field bean crops has been removed.  We encourage growers to visit the website in order to have the current, official version.

Leonard Haney Remembered

We mourn the passing of CSGA Past-President Leonard Haney of Haney Farms on January 31st, 2014 at the age of 98.

Leonard was involved with the CSGA for many years becoming a Robertson Associate in 1969, the highest honour any seed grower can achieve. In 1974, he became an Executive Member of the Canadian Seed Growers Association and was presented with the Outstanding Service Award by the Alberta Branch of the association in 1984. Leonard was named National President in 1981 and served in this role until 1983, playing a prominent role in publicizing the importance of using seed of high physical and genetic purity in commercial crop production, both nationally and internationally.

Leonard also founded Haney Farms in Iron Springs, Alberta one of the largest seed farms of its generation and lead the development of pedigreed seed in Western Canada. Dedicated to agriculture and his community Leonard served as a school trustee, County of Lethbridge Councillor and sat on the Alberta Farm Debt Review Board and the provincial agricultural education and rural extension advisory committees. A Lions Club and Kiwanis Club member, he also served on the local United Church board.

Leonard was awarded the Alberta Order of Excellence in 1986 and became a member of the Order of Canada in 1993. He received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Lethbridge.

A husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Leonard leaves behind his wife Velva, 4 children and many great grandchildren.

A man of vision and a quiet determination to see things through to the end, Leonard will always be remembered by those of us who had the pleasure to work with him.

Your friends at the CSGA

Certified Seed Video Resources

CSGA continues to support its End User Advocacy program with the development of 2 new videos outlining the benefits of quality assurance, identity preservation, traceability and innovation delivered through use of ingredients made from Certified seed, and how this can provide a competitive advantage for food processors.

In the first video Wheat researcher, Ellen Sparry (view video) explains how Certified seed helps companies like C&M Seeds develop varieties that deliver unique baking characteristics to end users.

In the second video Adam Dyck, Canadian Program Manager for UK Based Warburtons (view video), explains why Warburtons developed an Identity Preserved (IP) program in Canada. And how over the past 18 years since the implementation of the program, Canadian growers have been able to provide the consistency, quality and specific attributes required by the UK’s largest baker.

Previous videos developed under this program are listed below and can be found on the CSGA website at www.seedgrowers.ca/processors

• The Certified Advantage: How quality food begins with quality seed
• Cereals specialist Peter Johnson explains the benefits of Certified seed for food processors, millers and bakers
• SeCan’s Todd Hyra explains how Certified seed helps deliver innovation needed for enhanced baking and brewing characteristics
• Canadian Grain Commission’s Melonie Stoughton-Ens explains how Certified seed and identity preserved systems deliver unique characteristics to food processors

All videos are available in both English and French