Canada
June 7, 2023

CSGA recently completed an exhaustive review of the requirements and standards relating to plant breeders, Breeder seed crop production and Breeder seed to modernize the requirements. Coming into effect July 1, 2023, CSGA will be releasing these updated standards and requirements in the Canadian Breeder Seed Requirements (BSR) manual. The main purpose of the requirements is to ensure that Canadian producers have access to genetically pure seed of improved varieties. Read more here. 

Dear Members and Stakeholders,

CSGA is committed to ensuring the benefits and advancements of plant breeding are realized through quality Breeder seed for the benefit of Canadian agriculture.

The Association is responsible for certifying Breeder seed crops, approving Breeder seed as eligible parent seed for further pedigreed seed crop production and designating CSGA-Recognized Plant Breeders and CSGA-Recognized Associate Plant Breeders through the CSGA Breeder Seed Program.

CSGA recently completed an exhaustive review of the requirements and standards relating to plant breeders, Breeder seed crop production and Breeder seed to modernize the requirements. Coming into effect July 1, 2023, CSGA will be releasing these updated standards and requirements in the Canadian Breeder Seed Requirements (BSR) manual. The main purpose of the requirements is to ensure that Canadian producers have access to genetically pure seed of improved varieties.

Keeping with CSGA’s commitment to multi-stakeholder participation and transparency, CSGA offered an information webinar, provided updates in the Association’s Seed Scoop newsletter, and held 12-week consultation from October 2022 to January 2023, open to all stakeholders on proposed changes, including approval of Breeder seed not certified by the CSGA, varietal purity of Breeder seed, Breeder seed quality, including mechanical purity, germination, and disease, recognition of plant breeders, including the CSGA Learn Plant Breeder Program, and Breeders’ quality management systems.
 
Feedback was received from multiple groups, including plant breeders, accredited plot growers, crop certificate assignees and university faculties of agriculture. Overall, the response to the proposed changes was very positive, with some seeking clarification of the policy revisions and plans for implementation. A summary of the stakeholder survey responses is available for review.
 
At CSGA, the Plant Breeders’ Committee (PBC) meets to evaluate and make recommendations on requirements, seeks consultation, then makes recommendations to the Regulatory Services Committee (RSC). The RSC then makes its final recommendation on standards and requirements to the Board of Directors. Based on the PBC and RSC’s final recommendations, CSGA’s Board accepted the proposed changes at the end of March.
 
The Breeder seed document's name has also been revised to the Canadian Breeder Seed Requirements to simplify the name and better reflect the document's contents. Please consult the updated manual, which will also be posted to the CSGA website when the revised policies come into effect on July 1, 2023.

CSGA is grateful for funding under the National Industry Association (NIA) Component of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) AgriAssurance Program to support this initiative. 

Circular 6 vs. BSR
The Canadian Regulations and Procedures for Pedigreed Seed Crop Production (Circular 6) sets out the requirements that a seed grower and a seed crop must meet for seed crop certification. The Canadian Breeder Seed Requirements provide additional requirements related to plant breeders, Breeder seed crop production and Breeder seed. These should be used in conjunction with Circular 6.
 
Please contact us by email with any questions or if you would like more information regarding the policy revisions or CSGA’s Breeder Seed Program.

Website: http://www.seedgrowers.ca

Published: June 8, 2023