Appendix 1: Sample work sheet for determining if a plant is a PNT

PNT Determination Work Sheet
A companion document to Regulatory Directive 2009-09:
Plants with Novel Traits Regulated under Part V of the Seeds Regulations

Species :

Trait :

1. Was the trait bred into the plant from, or present in, germplasm (of the same species) cultivated* in Canada prior to December 1996, or previously authorized by the PBO for use in a plant of the same species?	References:

If the answer to question 1 is "yes," then STOP. The plant is not a PNT and is not subject to regulation under Part V of the Seeds Regulations. Otherwise, continue:

2. Does the plant have a potential to have a significant negative environmental impact, relative to an appropriate Canadian comparator line (or lines), in terms of:
2a. Weediness potential: Is there an increased potential that the plant will become a weed of agriculture or be invasive in the Canadian environment?	(For example, does the plant have an introduced trait that confers herbicide resistance/tolerance?) References:
2b. Gene flow: Are there negative consequences to environmental safety resulting from the production of hybrids between the plant and any domestic or wild sexually compatible relatives that are present in Canada?	(For example, does the plant have an introduced trait that confers herbicide or insect resistance/tolerance in the presence of the selection pressure?) References:
2c. Plant pest potential: Does the plant have increased potential to harbour and/or facilitate the spread of a pest or pathogen of the Canadian environment?	References:
2d. Potential negative impacts on non-target organisms: Could the plant have negative impacts on non-target organisms interacting directly or indirectly with it, including humans as workers or bystanders?	(For example, does the plant have an introduced trait that results in the accumulation of molecules that are biologically active and are intended for pesticidal, pharmacological, or industrial uses?) References:
2e. Other potential negative impacts on biodiversity: Does the plant have any other potential negative impacts on biodiversity, including changes to environmentally sustainable crop management practices?*	(For example, does the plant have an introduced trait that confers herbicide or insect resistance/tolerance?) References:

If the answer to any part of question 2 is "yes" or is unclear, then contact the Plant Biosafety Office: the plant may be a PNT and may be regulated under Part V of the Seeds Regulations.

* The Plant Biosafety Office interprets "cultivated" to mean "grown by an individual as a crop." This means that seed multiplication plots and breeding lines are considered "cultivated."
† The Plant Biosafety Office interprets "environmentally sustainable crop management practices" to mean "crop management practices that promote long-term maintenance of ecosystem components and functions for future generations."

Please note: Depending on the product, data requirements for some criteria may be more extensive than others. Evidence, such as experimental data or peer-reviewed literature, should be available to support the rationale provided in this document.
The PBO reserves the right to request that more extensive data be supplied in support of a determination or to confirm the determination by the proponent.

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