Key Takeaways:
- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has proposed 52 changes to seed regulations after a five-year modernization process.
- The changes aim to reduce red tape, promote innovation and market competitiveness, and protect consumers, growers, and the environment.
- Critics argue that the changes do not go far enough and may even increase costs for the sector.
- The proposed changes include the creation of a stakeholder advisory committee and the incorporation of standards by reference.
- The CFIA will publish stakeholder feedback and finalize the changes in 2026, with the new regulations expected to come into force later that year.
Introduction to Seed Regulation Changes
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has proposed significant changes to seed regulations in Canada, marking the first major update to the framework in over a century. The modernization process, which involved 150 stakeholders in the national seed sector, aimed to address the "hard" questions surrounding the regulation of seeds. The proposed changes fall into three categories: reducing red tape and administrative burden, promoting innovation and market competitiveness, and protecting consumers, growers, and the environment. However, critics argue that the changes do not go far enough and may even increase costs for the sector.
Criticism from Stakeholders
Lauren Comin, director of policy at Seeds Canada, expressed disappointment with the proposed changes, stating that they do not meet the sector’s expectations. Comin noted that the modernization process was initially presented as a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to bring the regulations up to date, but the resulting changes are largely neutral and may even increase costs for farmers. Comin also pointed out that the CFIA’s decision to outsource regulatory services could lead to increased expenses for the sector. Despite some positive changes, such as the creation of a stakeholder advisory committee, Comin believes that the goal of reducing red tape has not been met.
Industry Perspective
Chris Churko, CEO of FP Genetics, a seed development and distribution company, shared a similar perspective. Churko stated that the proposed changes will have a "net impact of almost nil" on his business. While he acknowledged some positive changes, such as the incorporation of standards by reference, he noted that the modernization process missed opportunities to make more significant changes. Churko highlighted the need for better protection of intellectual property rights for seed breeders and producers, as well as the need to reduce administrative burden to incentivize investment in variety development.
Harmonization with Intersecting Legislation
Churko also emphasized the importance of harmonizing the Seeds Act with intersecting legislation, such as the Plant Breeders Rights Act. He noted that the current regulations do not provide sufficient protection for intellectual property rights, which can lead to the illegal trade of seeds and compromise the quality of certified seeds. Churko suggested that requiring seed cleaners to be licensed could help curb the illegal trade and ensure that farmers receive high-quality seeds.
Future of Seed Regulation
Despite the criticism, both Comin and Churko expressed hope that the modernization process will lead to further changes in the future. The proposed changes include suggestions for future consideration, and the CFIA will publish stakeholder feedback and finalize the changes in 2026. The new regulations are expected to come into force later that year, after publication in Part 2 of the Canada Gazette. While the current changes may not meet the sector’s expectations, they may mark the beginning of a more significant overhaul of the seed regulatory framework in Canada.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the proposed changes to seed regulations in Canada have been met with criticism from stakeholders, who argue that they do not go far enough to reduce red tape, promote innovation, and protect consumers, growers, and the environment. While some positive changes have been made, such as the creation of a stakeholder advisory committee and the incorporation of standards by reference, the sector is hoping for more significant reforms in the future. As the CFIA finalizes the changes and publishes them in the Canada Gazette, it remains to be seen whether the new regulations will meet the sector’s expectations and provide a framework for a more modern and competitive seed industry in Canada.