Syngenta announced that it will discontinue its Canadian cereal seed research and development program, effective the end of this calendar year.
According to Nancy Tout, head of research and development for Syngenta Canada, while the company has taken the decision to cease operation of this particular program, they will maintain a strong commitment to the Canadian cereals sector.
“We will do this through a combination of our existing cereal seed portfolio, as well as several recently approved varieties that will be commercialized by Syngenta over the next several years, and through our leading crop protection and Seedcare portfolios. We will also continue to evaluate and, as appropriate, participate in licensing arrangements, as a means to bring new cereal varieties to Canadian growers,” Tout says.
“We plan to grow our overall business in Canada moving forward, in both the seed and crop protection areas, and will allocate our resources and investments to support that growth,” says Trevor Heck, president of Syngenta Canada.
“This action is a business decision and is not related to the performance of the cereal seed research and development team members. The staff have performed at a high level, and Syngenta values the team members for their knowledge, skills, experience and contributions over many years. We also understand the personal impact this decision has on these colleagues and their families, and we will work with them through this transition, providing them with comprehensive support.”
