This year, the seed industry came together with the formation of Seeds Canada, in what was arguably the biggest story of 2021.
The Canadian Seed Trade Association, Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada, Canadian Plant Technology Agency and Canadian Seed Institute merged to form a single national organization, and on Feb. 1, 2021, it went live.
“This is going to be a member-driven organization, and the board will be able to hear directly from the members on the different committees. Seeds Canada will be a diverse and inclusive association, all members will have an equal voice at the table, regardless of their size,” said inaugural board member Annie Bergeron.
“And our industry will have a stronger lobbying voice, for sure. Increased opportunities to shape policy and improve public communication is another hugely important benefit.”
Barry Senft, a former giant of the grain industry, was brought on as executive director.
“Seeds Canada is the future of the seed industry, and when you are in the stage of your career that I’m at, you want to be part of something new and significant — and I think I have something to offer,” Senft says. “You want to help create the future, not look back on the past. Seeds Canada will be the go-to organization to represent the seed industry, and we’re going to have a lot of people looking to us for guidance.”
The merger was not without its difficulties, however. In the fall of 2020, an initial merger vote failed after Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA) members voted no to an amalgamation, leaving the remaining four organizations to hold a second vote.
Seeds Canada President Ellen Sparry said in January that the initial vote results would make things more challenging for the seed sector, but expected things to ultimately work out for the best.
“Getting things done will no doubt take a little longer now. Without having everybody together under one umbrella, we’re looking at doing a little more back-and-forth, which is unfortunate. But we’ll figure it out one way or another,” she said.
—This story is the 10th and final instalment in our Top 10 Stories of 2021. For more on this topic see the links below:
Why Barry Senft Came Back to the Boardroom to Lead Seeds Canada
Seeds Canada Becomes a Reality
Canadian Seed Growers Association Members Vote No to Seeds Canada Merger
