The first comprehensive review of Canada’s seed industry in 20 years has resulted in an 80-page report that envisions a less regulated system for seed registration and certification that would provide more protection for plant breeders and increase the use of certified seed.
The major recommendations of the committee include:
- Set up by this summer a permanent consultative body to oversee regulatory changes affecting the seed industry. Its future would be reviewed in five years.
- Make the varietal registration system more flexible and responsive to market demands. Registration requirements should vary for different crops.
- Transfer some technical industry regulations governing registration and certification to administrative manuals, in order to streamline the regulatory system.
- Amend the federal Plant Breeders’ Rights Act to bring it in line with an international treaty signed by Canada in 1991 that provides greater royalty protection for plant breeders.
- Ensure Canada’s policy governing plants with novel traits is in line with the policies of major trading partners.
- Government and industry should work together to eliminate regulatory “impediments to innovation and market responsiveness” such as the kernel visual distinguishability system.
- Regulations that remain in place must be science-based and designed to build consumer confidence in food safety and quality.
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The seed sector review started in October 2003 and cost $600,000 to complete.
It was directed by an 18-member advisory committee that included representatives from seed growers, seed companies, Grain Growers of Canada, the Canadian Grain Commission and provincial governments. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency was also involved in the review process.
