Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) Update For the Québec Seed Trade Association February 26, 2015 Patty Townsend CEO
About the CSTA 130 member companies engaged in all aspects of seed and seed technology in or on the seed - Research, plant breeding, trait - development - Production - Processing - Marketing - Trade 50 crop kinds - Garden seed to grain, oilseeds, forages and turf Organics to products of biotechnology Single grower/retailers to multi-nationals Growing for for the theworld World/ Une Croissance Axée sur le Monde
About the CSTA Québec Seed Companies are engaged La Coop Fédérée Alexandre Mailloux, 2011-1212 President Georges Chaussé, Board Member, External Relations Work Group Céréla Inc. Norseco Inc. Semences Prograin Inc. Semican Inc Synagri L.P./S.E.C. Growing for for the theworld World/ Une Croissance Axée sur le Monde
A Look at CSTA s Membership Numbers $20 50 M 4% $50 $100 M 3% $5 - $20 M 11% $100 M 13% $1 - $5M 33% < $ 1 M 35% Active Members 2015
A Look at CSTA s Membership Fees < $5M 2% < $1M 2% $5-$20M 15% $100 M 56% $50 - $100 M 12% $20 -$50 M 12$ Active Members 2015
Mission: i To Foster Seed Industry Innovation and Trade Key Strategic Goals 1. Open Trade of Seed Around the World 2. Flexible, Science Based Regulations 3. Increased Investment in Innovation 4. The Voice for Seed 5. Improved Public Perception of Agriculture and Technology
Unrestricted Trade of Seed Free Trade negotiations - Canada-EU - TPP - Canada-Korea LLP policy for grain LLP policy for seed Regional and International Phytosanitary standards
Unrestricted Trade of Seed Domestic trade barriers - Alberta Fusarium - Provincial regulations Ongoing and Urgent Issues - Soil in seed - Use of HS codes - PRAs for emerging markets - Import restrictions and requirements o Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Russia Canadian phytosanitary requirements
Flexible Science Based Regulations Variety Registration Placement of forages and Oilseed Soybeans in Part III Impact on forage registration - In the 6 months since the move to Part III, there have been 40 new registrations - That is more than double the average annual registrations for the last 6 years
Variety Registration Government Proposal Basic Registration same as current Part III No recommending committee or trials Application to CFIA Forages, Oilseed Soybeans, Potatoes, Safflower, Sunflower, Pulse Crops Enhanced Registration similar to current Part I Recommending committees operating under Model Operating Principles Wheat, Canola, Flax, Barley, Oats, Rye, Triticale, Buckwheat, Mustard, Tobacco
Variety Registration Government Proposal Model Operating Procedures Streamlined criteria including reduced merit criteria Reduced trial years and private data Reduced committee size
Variety Registration CSTA s Position The government proposal closely reflects CSTA s position In addition CSTA supports maintaining current exemptions and ability to exempt
Flexible Science Based Regulations Alternate Service Delivery 2014 First year of ASD - 89% of all crop inspections were ASD o o 25 Authorized Seed Crop Inspection Services (ASCIS) 313 Licensed Seed Crop Inspectors (LSCI) For 2015 no additions or changes No new crops
Alternate Service Delivery CSTA Position: By April 1, 2015 the Industry Government Working Group should: 1. Commit to expansion of Alternate Service Delivery to all major crop kinds; and develop of a defined implementation plan 2. Commit to providing 2nd party inspection as an option for Alternate Service Delivery, while maintaining the viability of 3rd party inspection; and develop a defined plan implementation plan
Alternate Service Delivery CSTA Definition of 2 nd Party Inspection: The seed grower has assigned seed crop production (assigned the CSGA crop certificate) to an individual or company (the assignee) which is the seed crop inspection provider and is also the variety developer and/or maintainer and/or seed distributor and/or seed production agent.
Flexible Science Based Regulations Weed Seeds Order Incorporation by Reference Coexistence Planning Governments continue to support science
Flexible Science Based Regulations Seed Borne Insecticides and Pollinator Health CSTA takes a national approach to the issue but supports members provincially - Value chain letter to all provincial Ministers August, 2013 o Outlined commitments to mitigate risks to pollinators - Follow up letter to outline achievements o o 9 organizations signed Quebec support? We need some logos!
Flexible Science Based Regulations Seed Borne Insecticides and Pollinator Health Liaison with PMRA - Labelling, best management practices - Information on untreated t seed Appearance before Senate Committee National Bee Health Roundtable - Instrumental in its establishment - Participate on steering committee and work groups
Flexible Science Based Regulations Seed Borne Insecticides and Pollinator Health National Bee Health Roundtable 19 organizations, federal and provincial governments and academics Priorities - Bee care and nutrition - Bee pests and pathogens - Pesticides: in-hive and outside of the hive; Environment and surroundings; - Agricultural (crop) needs.
Increased Investment in Innovation Private sector investment $ millions 70 65 60 55 50 45 Canola 40 35 Corn 30 Soybeans 25 Cereals 20 15 Forages 10 5 0 1987 2001 2007 2012 2017 projected
Private Sector Investment Percent by Crop Kind 2001 2007 2012 2017 (projected) Canola 67 74 59 49 Corn 17 8 15 18 Soybeans 6 7 9 8 Cereals 5 6 8 12 Forages 2 1 1 <1 CSTA s goals Increase total private sector spending by 50% from 2012 (to $165 million) Increase investment in crops other than corn, canola and canola from $18.8 million to $28.2 million
Increased Investment in Innovation Intellectual Property Protection CSTA supported single use agreement language - Contractual terms that members can use voluntarily - Focused on remedies - Draft terms for IP committee in July Variety names Outreach to CFIA inspectors
Increased Investment in Innovation Intellectual Property Protection Plant Breeders Rights Bill C-18: Agricultural Growth Act Brings PBR into compliance with UPOV 1991 Introduced in the House of Commons December 9, 2013 Given Royal Assent on February 25, 2015 Comes into force TODAY
Mustard 21 20 organizations together supporting Bill C-18
Plant Breeders Rights After today all varieties protected by PBR will be under the new legislation CSTA s focus is outreach and education to assist the value chain to comply
Breeders Right Old Legislation (UPOV 78) Authorization required to sell, produce for sale, propagating material (seed) of protected varieties Protection Period 18 years 20 years New Legislation (UPOV 91) Authorization is required to produce, reproduce, sell, condition, stock, import, export propagating material (seed) of protected varieties Farmers Exception Compensation on Harvested Material Not spelled out in the legislation, but not prohibited Not permitted Farmers Privilege entrenched in legislation Allows farmers to produce, reproduce, stock/store harvested material to use as seed on their farms If the breeder can prove that there was no opportunity on seed (e.g. seed acquired illegally)
Outreach and Education
Outreach and Education Protected by PBR current legislation (UPOV 78) All varieties protected before February 26 Protected by PBR new legislation (UPOV 91) All varieties protected after February 26 Seed companies urged to use logos in all seed guides, advertisements, on websites
Outreach and Education Focus on 4 Audiences 1. Farmers It is now illegal to buy brown bagged seed of varieties protected by PBR 91. Compensation can be on harvested material Be aware of the need to prove seed was acquired legally e.g. - Certified seed proof of purchase - Declaration at of farm saved seed starting t with certified
Farmer Activity it Save grain from protected varieties to use as seed on your farm Stock/store grain from protected varieties to use as seed on your farm Clean/condition grain from protected varieties to use as seed on your farm Sell seed you have produced from grain of protected varieties Advertise seed for sale that you have produced from grain of protected varieties Exchange seed produced from grain of protected t varieties
Outreach and Education Focus on 4 Audiences 2. Seed Retailers On the front line as information providers Use the logos, know the varieties Explain obligations and liabilities to farmers We will supply material 3. Seed Cleaner/Conditioners Can be liable for a PBR breach Will need to ensure seed was acquired legally Possible declarations or statements in work orders
Outreach and Education Focus on 4 Audiences 5. Grain Buyers Harvested material provisions means buyers of grain could be liable for a PBR 91 breach Will need to be assured that grain was produced from legally obtained seed www.pbrfacts.ca Counter cards for retailers and others Presentations Detailed information for each audience Advertisements t and fact sheets
Increased Investment in Innovation Funding Innovation - A Technology Value System CSTA facilitated value chain process Focused on cereals Designed to generate funds for investment in plant breeding and variety development Based on the principle that all who benefit: contribute tib t and dthose who contribute: tib t benefit Concept includes a delivered grain royalty plus credit for use of certified seed
The Voice for the Seed Industry Presentations to CSTA members CSTA 101 orientation ti for new and potential ti members Does Certified Seed Really Matter? www.seedforthefuture.ca
All the things that enhance our quality of life: Abundant, healthy food Greener spaces Cleaner fuels Better fabrics All started with an idea that was nurtured and cultivated through science and dinnovationi Source: American Seed Trade Association They all started with seed