Following significant restrictions by the Ontario government in 2015, seed corn companies in the province began to offer non-neonicotinoid seed treatment insecticide options. Now, a significant portion of corn seed sales carry non-neonicotinoid options. It’s bizarre then, that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change recently published data showing only a 22% reduction in the amount… Read more »
Tag: CSTA
Steve Denys receives CSTA Seed Achievement Award
I truly believe that in your career you get the chance to meet a handful of people that you aspire to be more like. We all have that list of people in our head that inspire us, motivate us and push us to be better because they do the same. When I first started RealAgriculture… Read more »
Dave Carey announced as new Canadian Seed Trade Association executive director
The Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) has appointed Dave Carey as its new executive director. Previously CSTA’s director of government affairs and policy, Carey joined the national seed trade organization in 2012. “Dave Carey is widely recognized for his ability to build strong relationships with all government parties, stakeholders and industry partners, and brings a… Read more »
The Seedpod — Ep 9: Collaboration Turns up the Volume on Seed Industry Messaging
Agriculture is big business, but a small industry, if you think about the number of people involved. Within each sector, that number shrinks significantly, and, at times, trying to communicate the needs of one sector can be tough when you’re few in number. The seed industry has faced that challenge for quite some time, and,… Read more »
Is that a PBR-Protected Variety? New Online Tool Helps You Find Out
The Canadian Seed Trade Association has launched a new database help easily identify PBR protection on crop varieties registered for sale in Canada. The Crop Varieties Registered in Canada and Plant Breeders’ Rights Status database was created by the CSTA with the assistance of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Variety Registration Office and the Plant… Read more »
CSTA Names Scott Horner as New President
Scott Horner of HyTech Production Ltd., based at Lethbridge, Alberta, has been named president of the Canadian Seed Trade Association following the CSTA’s annual meeting held last week at Windsor, Ont. A board member since 2008, Horner also represents CSTA on the board of directors of the Seed Association of the Americas. He has also… Read more »
Wheat School: Spelling it out — How UPOV ’91 Impacts Farmers’ Right to Save Seed
There are still lingering questions as to how farmers access, pay for and use seed varieties under UPOV ’91, which Canada adopted with the passing of Bill C-18 back in March of this year. For those that claim that under the act farmers lose their right to save seed, Patty Townsend, executive director of the… Read more »
The Canadian Seed Trade Association Names New Executive Director
Crosby Devitt will join the Canadian Seed Trade Association as its new executive director, effective July 27, 2015. Devitt is currently vice president, strategic development for the Grain Farmers of Ontario, where he leads and manages the communications, research and market development departments of the organization. The CSTA says that Devitt was also instrumental in… Read more »
Government Commits to Streamlined Variety Registration Process; Includes 2-Tier Option
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has announced the government’s commitment to “streamline and modernize” the way crop varieties are registered in Canada. These proposed changes will now enter into a consultation period ahead of the actual regulatory changes being drafted. Most major field crops grown in Canada are subject to Variety Registration, such as wheat, canola,… Read more »
The Seedpod — Ep. 1: What UPOV ’91 Really Means For Farm-Saved Seed
Canada’s rules and regulations regarding plant breeder’s rights adhere to a convention that’s over 35 years old, even though there is a more modern, widely accepted convention that’s a mere 23 years old — UPOV ’91. Bill C-18, currently in the parliamentary process, will bring Canada in line with UPOV ’91, a move that has… Read more »
CSTA President Peter Entz Discusses the Agricultural Growth Act
Agriculture minister Gerry Ritz was in Winnipeg, Man., today to announce the tabling of Bill C-18, the Agricultural Growth Act. The act covers a host of agriculture-related regulations — a total of nine — with an eye to “amending, streamlining and modernizing” Canada’s regulations as they relate to several areas of agriculture. From plant breeding… Read more »
CSTA President Steve Denys Outlines the Associations Key Objectives
The Canadian Seed Trade Association has a lot on its plate. Newly elected President Steve Denys will be the first to tell you that. The association is working toward directing government policies that will help Canadian producers thrive at home and compete abroad in a fast paced, constantly changing arena. We spoke to Steve at… Read more »
The Canadian Seed Industry Has a Plan
A couple weeks ago at the Canadian Seed Trade Association meeting in Toronto, the seed industry released a video that demonstrates the challenges ahead for agriculture. You may know the issue as the “feeding the world” challenge. The video demonstrates the realities but at the same time lays the groundwork for the role of… Read more »
EU / Canada Free Trade Agreement Still Allows Farmers to Save Seed – Patty Townsend, CSTA
The National Farmers Union (NFU) has been throwing stones at Federal Agricultural Minister Gerry Ritz this week about the EU / Canada Free Trade Agreement that should be finalized by the end of the year. In a recent Better Farming story, NFU President Terry Boehm is quoted as saying……. €œThese measures are so draconian that… Read more »