The Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA) and Seeds Canada recognize the value of an advisory body and a coordinated approach to seed policy, standards and regulations. Both organizations are committed to fostering meaningful collaboration and strengthening engagement with government, the Canadian seed sector and the seed value chain to support a modern, efficient and effective regulatory framework.

To this end, both organizations have reached consensus on the formation of a Seed Sector Advisory Committee to enhance dialogue between government, the seed sector and seed value chain, ensuring that future policy and regulatory matters are addressed with a balanced and inclusive approach.

Purpose:

The Advisory Committee will serve as an advisory body reporting to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and will provide a forum for consultation, discussion and information exchange on policy, standards, emerging issues and regulatory change. The Advisory Committee will function as a structured venue for stakeholder engagement and provide opportunities for continuous improvement.

The Advisory Committee will have no governing power, standards-setting authority, fiduciary responsibility or organizational budget/personnel. Instead, it will act as a liaison between government and the seed sector, ensuring that the Canadian regulatory framework is transparent, efficient and responsive to the sector’s needs.

Guiding principles:

The Advisory Committee will operate on the following principles:

• The Advisory Committee will report to CFIA and serve as a forum for consultation, discussion, and information exchange on policy, standards, emerging issues and regulatory change.
• The Advisory Committee will provide an important interface between standards development, service delivery and the Canadian seed sector and value chain.
• The Advisory Committee will provide a forum to discuss and facilitate amendments to documents Incorporated by Reference (IBR) and other regulatory instruments.

Membership & structure:

The Advisory Committee will be structured as follows:

• The Advisory Committee will be based on organizational representation rather than ministerial appointments.
• Membership will be based on the seed value chain, ensuring representation from a diverse range of seed sector stakeholders and organizations.
• Initial membership will be confirmed through the SRM process, with future modifications made by consensus within the Advisory Committee.
• Both CSGA and Seeds Canada will work together to develop an initial membership list for consideration through the SRM process.

Roles & responsibilities:

The Advisory Committee will be tasked with:

• Providing a forum for consultation, discussion, and information exchange on policy, standards, emerging issues and regulatory change.
• Providing a framework for continuous improvement.
• Addressing additional topics as identified by government, the seed sector or seed value chain.

Administration & operations:

The Advisory Committee will be established and administered with:

• No governing power, standards-setting authority, fiduciary responsibility or organizational budget/personnel
• Administrative support provided by CFIA or AAFC
• While there is no consensus to formalize the Advisory Committee through legislation, it will need to operate under a sustainable funding model and provide meaningful value to both government and the seed sector.

Next steps:

Both the CSGA and Seeds Canada Boards of Directors have confirmed their agreement in principle to the establishment of this Advisory Committee. The next steps will involve further discussions to refine operational details, confirm initial membership and develop a Terms of Reference to ensure the committee is well-structured and positioned to operate effectively within Canada’s seed regulatory framework.