After a five-year consultation, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has released their Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) policy paper, “Future-proofing Canada’s Seeds Regulations for a stronger tomorrow – Proposals to modernize Canada’s seed regulatory framework.” Seeds Canada invested considerable effort into this initiative, serving on the Working Group, participating in task teams and submitting feedback through online consultations.
Seeds Canada is pleased to see recognition of the value of an external seed advisory committee, with balanced representation from across the value chain, to provide advice to the CFIA’s Seed Program. In 2022, Seeds Canada introduced the concept of an independent, inclusive industry advisory body (at the time presented as the “ISSB”) to provide input into seeds regulations, including advising on policy, services and standards related to the commercialization and sale of seed.
In 2025, Seeds Canada and the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA) released a joint statement supporting the advisory body concept.
Unfortunately, given the time and resources invested over the last five years, and the promises made with regards to the impact of the process at its inception, the proposed amendments that are detailed in the policy paper do not satisfy the industry’s need for modernization.