By Brian Cross
Saskatoon newsroom
REGINA, Sask. — The federal government is spending more than $835,000 to help the pedigreed seed industry develop a new automated system for seed crop certification.
Conservative MP Tom Lukiwski told members of the Canadian Seed Growers Association (CSGA) that Ottawa’s contribution will benefit the industry by modernizing the pedigreed seed certification process.
The new on-line system will replace three-part paper forms that were used in the past. Under the new system, seed growers and seed crop inspectors will be able to submit paperwork electronically, using computers or tablets.
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“The seed sector is the basis for all crop production in Canada,” said Lukiwski, who made the announcement July 9 on behalf of federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz.
“Having a modernized certification system in place will provide markets with reliable access to consistently high quality seed varieties and ensure that Canadian seeds remain competitive, both domestically and internationally.”
Development of the new certification system coincides with government-initiated efforts to privatize seed crop inspections.
Beginning this year, authorized private-sector companies will be conducting many of the seed crop inspections that were previously conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
The CFIA will continue to perform inspections on some seed crops, including plots and crops of higher pedigree.
It will also oversee private sector inspectors to ensure that proper standards are upheld.
The CSGA has taken steps to accommodate privatization. Among them was the development of the on-line system, which is being used across the country this year.
Privatization has also resulted in higher inspection fees, which are paid by seed growers and — in many cases — passed on to farmers who buy pedigreed seed.
“We’re committed to alternative service delivery for seed crop inspection inCanada , while maintaining the integrity and reputation Canada has developed for certified seed,” said CSGA executive director Dale Adolphe.
“As an example of the progress to date, we’ve gone from very few seed crop inspection applications being made electronically to over 90 percent in just one year.”
The CSGA annual meeting runs from July 9 -12 in Regina.
