Federal legislation containing changes to plant breeders’ rights and farm cash advance programs became law on Wednesday, as Bill C-18 — also known as the Agricultural Growth Act — received royal assent.
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz will be holding a press conference at Canterra Seeds in Winnipeg on Friday morning to mark the passage of the bill.
In the meantime, here are several posts from the RealAg archives explaining what the implementation of UPOV’91 and other changes in C-18 mean for Canadian agriculture:
- A Recap on Changes to Plant Breeders’ Rights — Will Seed Be More Expensive?
- Anthony Parker, commissioner of the plant breeders’ rights office with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency discusses what the changes to Canada’s Plant Breeders’ Rights act mean for saving seed and the impact they could have on seed prices.
- What Does Agricultural Growth Act Mean to Canadian Agriculture – Dave Hansen, Canterra Seeds
- Dave Hansen of Canterra Seeds explains how he sees C-18 benefiting farmers and improving investment in plant breeding in Canada.
- Passing Bill C-18 Is Good for Farmers, Says The Grain Growers of Canada
- Grain Growers of Canada president Gary Stanford discusses the impact C-18, and with it, the implementation of UPOV’91, will have on farmers.
- The Seedpod — Ep. 1: What UPOV ’91 Really Means For Farm-Saved Seed
- A podcast with Patty Townsend of the Canadian Seed Trade Association on what the changes to plant breeders’ rights mean for the seed industry and Canadian agriculture.
- Jim Dyck – How UPOV 91 Will Benefit Smaller Plant Breeders and Farmers
- A small oat breeder’s perspective on UPOV’91.
- New Agricultural Growth Act Tabled; Includes Changes to Cash Advance Program & More
- The original story posted when Bill C-18 was announced in December 2013, including video with Minister Ritz.
