Another high-profile organization has added its name to an ad hoc coalition of farm groups that supports amendments to Canada’s plant breeders’ rights legislation.
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture announced May 7 that it has joined Partners in Innovation, an alliance that supports Ottawa’s plan to update PBR legislation and ratify a controversial international agreement known as UPOV 91.
“Accessibility to research is incredibly important to keep our farmers on the forefront, moving forward in the marketplace and maintaining productive harvests,” said CFA president Ron Bonnett.
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“Adoption of Bill C-18 and its proposed changes to plant breeders’ rights will address obstacles that impede the competitiveness of Canadian farmers.”
In December, the federal government introduced Bill C-18, a far-reaching bill that proposes amendments to Canada’s Plant Breeders’ Rights Act.
Proposed amendments would grant plant breeders and seed companies greater control over intellectual property and give them more flexibility in collecting royalties on the new seed products they develop.
Plant breeders generally support the proposed amendments.
Some farm groups view them as an affront to farmer interests that will limit their access to seed and increase costs.
Bill C-18 is currently awaiting second reading in the House of Commons.
Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz has indicated that he would like to see the bill enacted before Aug. 1.
Partners in Innovation was established last year to support Ottawa’s plan to update PBR legislation.
CFA is the 17th organization to join the coalition.
Other partners include the Alberta Barley Commission, the Canadian Seed Trade Association, Grain Growers of Canada, the Manitoba Pulse Growers Association, the Prairie Oat Growers Association, the Alberta Wheat Commission, the Barley Council of Canada, Mustard 21 Inc., and the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association.
Cereals Canada, a broadly based organization that represents various commodities and different stakeholder groups in the Canadian cereal grains industry, added its name to the partnership in late April.
Cereals Canada president Cam Dahl said updating PBR legislation will encourage innovation that is critical to the growth and development of Canada’s cereals sector.
“We risk losing ground to our competitors if we fail to innovate,” Dahl said in an April 30 news release.
“Modernization of plant breeders’ rights in Canada and ratification of the UPOV 1991 convention are crucial steps to creating a renewed environment for investing in research and variety development.”
