Supporting the Growth of Canada's Seed Industry

OTTAWA, March 14, 2018 /CNW/ - Canada's seed industry is respected and recognized worldwide for its high quality, safe and available seed for planting, providing families with quality food. The industry provides close to 60,000 jobs, contributes more than $5 billion to the Canadian economy and has strong export markets helping to achieve the Government's objective of expanding agricultural exports to $75 billion by 2025.

Speaking today at the Ottawa Valley Farm Show, Mike Bossio, Member of Parliament for Hastings ? Lennox and Addington, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced an investment of over $760,000 through Growing Forward 2 programs to help the Canadian seed industry improve and enhance the certification of seed crops, identify and assess risks and opportunities facing the industry, and expand seed trade in global markets.

The Canadian Seed Growers' Association (CSGA) will receive $499,814 under Growing Forward 2's AgriRisk program to better understand the risk and opportunities within the seed system and develop options for the future. CSGA will receive an additional $203,400 under the AgriMarketing program, Assurance Systems stream to modernize seed production standards and guidelines.

The Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) will receive $65,154 under the AgriMarketing program, Market Development stream to help build Canadian seed innovation and trade and break down barriers to trade.

Quotes

"Seed is a starting point for growing crops that produce food for our families and consumers around the world. As an MP who represents a rural riding I know how important it is that we support our seed producers, and our Government is proud to support the seed industry and the reputation it has for this critical role in the agri-food value chain and the high quality food it produces.
-        Mike Bossio, Member of Parliament for Hastings ? Lennox and Addington

"The Canadian Seed Growers' Association is grateful to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) for the AgriMarketing funds which will ensure Canada retains its strong reputation as a leader in seed certification through the modernization of official seed crop regulations. On behalf of the Seed Synergy partners, CSGA also thanks AAFC for their AgriRisk contribution which supports the Seed Synergy Collaboration Project, an industry-led collaboration which will draft a proposal for a next-generation seed system for Canada. The Seed Synergy Partners include the Canadian Seed Growers' Association, the Canadian Seed Trade Association, the Canadian Seed Institute, the Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada, the Canadian Plant Technology Agency, and CropLife Canada. By supporting the seed industry, AAFC is demonstrating support for what we believe in: A growing, innovative, profitable and internationally competitive Canadian agricultural sector supported by seed quality assurance and genetic traceability."
-        Doug Miller, Managing Director of Certification and Technology Services, Canadian Seed Growers' Association

"On behalf of the Canadian Seed Trade Association we are very pleased to receive the AgriMarketing funding and continue our strong, collaborative working relationship with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. This funding assists us in being engaged on the global level by attending international meetings of the International Plant Protection Convention, the International Seed Federation and the Seed Association of the Americas. A strong Canadian presence abroad is key for helping our members expand market access and work through non-tariff trade barriers. The funding also allows us to work with experts on projects that provide our members with the tools they need to increase their exports."
-        Dave Carey, Executive Director, Canadian Seed Trade Association

Quick Facts

• The CSGA is a non-profit organization representing the interest of Canadian seed growers. They provide leadership as the only Canadian organization to monitor and certify pedigreed seed for all agricultural crops in Canada except potatoes.
• The CSTA is a national trade association that brings together more than 130 company and association members engaged in all aspects of seed research, production, and marketing and trade, both domestically and internationally.
• The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal-provincial and territorial governments, which will strengthen the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector, ensuring continued innovation, growth and prosperity. The Partnership will replace Growing Forward 2 in April 2018.

Associated Links

• Canadian Seed Growers' Association
• Canadian Seed Trade Association
• Growing Forward 2 ? AgriMarketing Program
• Growing Forward 2 ? AgriRisk Initiatives
• News Release: Canadian Agricultural Partnership: Setting the foundation for our farmers and food processors - November 24, 2017 (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
• Canadian Agricultural Partnership
• Ottawa Valley Farm Show

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada