January 2018

Proposed Changes to Circular 6 in 2018? We Want to Hear From You

As part of the Circular 6 Modernization Project, CSGA is reviewing all seed crop regulations to adapt and simplify the language used, review regulations to ensure that they reflect modern agricultural practices and transform Circular 6 into a digital format.

These objectives will be pursued initially in two phases.  The objectives of Phase 1 are to identify changes that can be implemented in time for the 2018 production season as well as to begin the development of a list of priorities for Phase 2 and beyond.  Phase 2 will begin to address some of the more challenging issues, with the goal of implementing additional changes for the 2019 production season. It is expected that this modernization initiative will continue beyond 2019 and that it will be supported by a more robust standards development process; currently at the options development stage.

To help with the identification of the required changes, 6 crop kind specific Working Groups were formed this fall.  They included seed growers, seed trade, seed crop inspectors, plant breeders as well as industry representatives.  Approximately 30 proposed changes for the crop season of 2018 have been identified by the Working Groups for consideration by the CSGA Standards Committee and subsequent recommendation to the CSGA Board of Directors in late January; with a view to publication on February 5^th, 2018.

Before any proposed changes are recommended to the CSGA Board of Directors for publication, we are asking for your feedback on them through completion of this short but important survey. Please complete the Survey before January 25 by following this link. Your feedback is extremely important to us.

What a ”Next Generation” Seed System for Canada Should Look Like - Participate in Seed Synergy Project Regional Workshops and/or Share Your Ideas Online

The Seed Synergy Collaboration project recently reached an important milestones with the release of the Seed Synergy Green Paper and its Executive Summary, and the launch of the Seed Synergy Collaboration Project website.

The goal of the current phase of the Seed Synergy Collaboration Project is to develop and articulate a broadly supported vision for a “Next Generation” seed system for Canada and your input is required. The Project Steering Committee is holding regional workshops this winter.  As a valued industry stakeholder, we are hoping that you will register to attend one of the six face-to-face engagements and/or provide your input online.

To participate in one of these workshops, please register for the date and location of your choice at the following website.

These sessions are open to a wide range of stakeholder groups, not just seed growers. So please register early, as places are limited.  Registration will typically close 15 days before the event date, but will remain open longer if places are still open.

In the meantime, we hope that you have an opportunity to read the Green Paper and Executive Summary and formulate your own ideas about what a Next Generation Seed System might look like.

A simple online forum has also been launched to collect your feedback through the Seed Synergy Collaboration website. This feedback will be shared with CSGA. However, if you wish to provide additional views or ask questions directly to us at CSGA, please write to us at seedtalk@seedgrowers.accuratedev.ca.

New Survey Identifies Labour Challenges for Seed Growers

Throughout 2017, a number of seed growers and related organizations voiced concerns about lack of seed grower access to foreign labour through the Government of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP).  To better understand the issue, CSGA surveyed seed growers across the country. The findings were interesting!

• 26% of members surveyed were not able to find all the workers needed to work on their seed farms in 2016 and 2017;
• When asked what types of workers seed farms need most, 59% of respondents indicated they needed full time permanent positions while 41% indicated they needed seasonal help;
• 27% of respondents used government programs to access workers;
• 47% of respondents indicated they would use the Temporary Foreign Workers Program to access season workers if they had access to the program

As a result of these findings, the CSGA began working with the Canadian Seed Trade Association, the Seed Corn Growers of Ontario, and the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) to sensitize Government and in particular the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada to the need to expand access to the TFWP to all seed growers.

Initial efforts have focused on ensuring that canola seed growers maintain their current access to the program, that seed corn growers regain the access that they recently (and inexplicably) lost and that other seed growers needs be recognized. While these efforts have not yet yielded results, Government’s initial response has been encouraging.

CSGA will continue to advocate on behalf of members on labour issues and we will provide progress reports to you as discussions with government evolve.

If you have any questions or comments, please share them with us at seedtalk@seedgrowers.accuratedev.ca.

The Ontario Branch Raises Its Acreage Fee

At the Ontario Seed Growers’ Association branch annual meeting on December 12, 2017, a motion was passed to increase the Ontario acreage fees from $0.35 to $0.40 per acre, beginning with the 2018 crop year.

Save the Date! Annual General Meeting Notice

Mark your calendar to join us at the Canadian Seed Growers’ Annual General Meeting July 11^th to 13^th, 2018 at Le Centre Sheraton in Montreal, Quebec. This year’s meeting follows immediately after the CSTA 95^th Annual Meeting be held at the same location from July 8^th to 10^th, 2018. A detailed meeting agenda and registration information will be available on the CSGA website by February 1^st, 2018. For further information please contact Gaye O’Bertos.

National Food Policy Council Proposal

Through its membership in the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), the CSGA is supporting ongoing efforts to establish a National Food Policy Council. The Working Group on Food Policy Governance, of which the CFA is a lead participant, has recommended to the Government of Canada that a National Food Policy Council be established to help lead efforts to develop and implement a whole of government national food policy.

The Working Group’s recent report “A Case for a National Food Policy Council” explains how a mechanism that brings farmers, ranchers, fishers, food processors, consumers and civil society together in support of common objectives would help build consensus and engagement and foster efficiencies among diverse stakeholder groups on critical food policy issues.

This new report is being released as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food completes its own study of the impact a national food policy could have on Canada‘s social, economic, and environmental bottom line.

To learn more, here is a link to the report.