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Notice to Registered Seed Establishments, November 2023

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Licensed operators, accredited graders and Seed Import Conformity Assessors (SICAs) at Registered Seed Establishments (RSEs) are asked to review the following information provided by the Seed Section of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Regulatory and policy updates

February 2023 The document Procedures for the Registration of Crops Varieties in Canada has been updated to introduce a new digital platform. Learn more at: Procedures for the Registration of Crop Varieties in Canada

May 2023 The CFIA was informed of a potential varietal purity issue, based on DNA analysis, identified in malt barley grain shipments of the variety CDC Copeland and is following up on this issue. Learn more at: Notice to industry – varietal variability possible in the malt barley variety CDC Copeland

Winter 2023 The Winter 2023 Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) Consultation ran from February 15, 2023 to May 1, 2023. Learn more at: Share your thoughts, Winter 2023 Seed Regulatory Modernization Consultation (excluding seed potatoes)

October 2023 The results of the Winter 2023 SRM Consultation were published. Learn more at: What we heard report: Winter 2023 consultation on the seed regulatory modernization (excluding seed potatoes)

October 2023 Form Application for International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) Certificate (CFIA/ACIA 1113) (formerly titled Application for Seed Analysis Certificate for Export Purposes) has been updated

Exporters requesting CFIA sampling for a ISTA Certificate must start using the new form by November 30th, 2023. If there are any questions on accessing, completing, or submitting the form please reach out to your local CFIA office for support.

Winter 2024 anticipated SRM Consultation. The purpose of this consultation will be to update stakeholders on progress made to date and seek feedback on recommendations towards modernizing the Seeds Regulations.

Plot Production Samples (Form 50): Please respect the quantity and quality requirements as well as the deadline sample submission date listed on the Form 50. If the samples are not received by the February 15th deadline, there is a risk that the sample may not be tested that year and any potential issues may not be identified.

Reminders

An imported lot of pedigreed seed sold in Canada must have a Canada pedigreed grade name and official seed tag. The assigning of the Canada pedigreed grade name must be done by an accredited GB or GD grader or a recognized foreign (US) grader and be based on seed testing results. The Canada pedigreed grade name cannot be assigned solely based on the official tag of the exporting country.

When importing seed of crop types subject to variety registration please ensure that the variety is registered. As per paragraph 40(1)c) of the Seed Regulations for non-pedigreed seed of forage species, the name of the variety need not be supplied on the import declaration. However, if a variety name appears on any documents accompanying an imported seed lot of a crop kind subject to variety registration, suggesting that the seed is of a variety not registered in Canada, that seed cannot be imported into Canada for sale. For a list of crop types subject to variety registration: Schedule III of the Seeds Regulations

A searchable/downloadable database of varieties registered in Canada is available at: Varieties of Crop Kinds registered in Canada.

Direct any questions to the CFIA by email at SeedSemence@inspection.gc.ca.

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