Plant breeders’ rights | Canadian Federation of Agriculture is the latest group to back legislation
Another high-profile organization has added its name to a 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, which supports Ottawa’s plan to update Canada’s PBR laws 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.
“Adoption of Bill C-18 and its proposed changes to Plant Breeders’ Rights will address obstacles that impede the competitiveness of Canadian farmers.”
Read Also
Agriculture ministers agree to AgriStability changes
federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million
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.
However, some farm groups view them as an affront to farmer interests, saying they will restrict access to seed and increase production 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.
In an open letter made public May 9, Partners in Innovation said its members are growing “more and more concerned that farmers and the general public may be forming opinions based on … incorrect information.”
“We recognize that some individuals, who perhaps do not fully understand the proposed amendments,” have been very vocal in expressing concerns, the letter said.
“We need to stress that these concerns are not based in fact.… The fact is, the greatest impact on farmers of amended PBR legislation will be access to new genetics and improved crop varieties that will increase productivity, deliver higher yields, and open more market opportunities for farm production.”
Cereals Canada, which represents various commodities and 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.
