In a time when political storms are swirling both in the United States and here in Canada, the seed industry faces a daunting challenge: staying focused on innovation and progress while navigating the unpredictability of governmental shifts. Andy LaVigne, president and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association, offers his perspective on how to keep moving forward despite the noise.
“I referred to it this morning as a political mess, and it really is,” LaVigne told Seed World after his keynote speech at the Seeds Canada Annual Conference in Edmonton, Alta., last month. The current political climate, both in the United States and Canada, can feel overwhelming, but LaVigne emphasizes the importance of focusing on what the industry can control. “You need to understand it, but you also have to put it off to the side. It can’t be what you’re looking at all the time.”
Instead, LaVigne urges industry leaders to concentrate on their core mission: serving their companies, members, and customers. “How do we make sure that policy doesn’t negatively impact the ability to get their products that they need?” he says.
The key lies in balancing involvement in political matters with the practical needs of the industry, ensuring that innovation isn’t stifled by the surrounding noise. “Set that to the side and ask, ‘What can we change? How do we work with the career government employees that are there to modify and make incremental changes as we go along?'”
As the U.S. farm bill reauthorization looms, LaVigne highlights the need for stability in the agricultural community. “We need to get that moving for certainty in the agriculture community, so we’ve got to help them put some of that mess to the side and look at what’s most important for rural America and America’s farmers,” he advises.
When it comes to the Canadian seed industry’s quest for innovation, LaVigne offers valuable insights. He praises Canada’s focus on becoming more nimble and agile, free from unnecessary governmental red tape. “The more nimble we can be as an industry, the better,” LaVigne says. He encourages the industry to evaluate whether the current regulatory structure is still relevant. “Does it still fit where the marketplace is and where the seed companies are?”
LaVigne also touches on the importance of maintaining strong relationships with Canadian seed growers. “They’ve got to produce the product that we package and sell to the farmers. And so what does that relationship need to look like going into the future?”
Gene editing is another area where Canada shines, according to LaVigne. He commends Canada’s approach, which focuses on the final product rather than the process. “It’s a model that the rest of the world can emulate,” he says. The transparency and efficiency of Canada’s regulatory process stand in contrast to the more cautious approach taken by U.S. agencies. “Canada was much more transparent, much more open,” LaVigne observes.
