Our laboratory has been registered and accredited by the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) for the past 18 years, enjoying a broad scope of scientific technologies that continues to make a positive contribution to the success of our clients exporting seed with orange international certificates of analysis.
We recently had our seventh ISTA audit. An experienced international technical audit team joined us to inspect and ensure our seed samplers and seed analysts are adhering to ISTA’s rigorous standards.
As I saw then and at the recent ISTA Congress in Cambridge (where we celebrated ISTA’s 100th anniversary), ISTA continues to gather seed scientists, seed experts and professionals from around the world to collaboratively refine and expand testing methodologies. The result? A growing scope of tests that reflects the global needs of agriculture.
ISTA is forward-thinking, embracing advanced technology like artificial intelligence to stay ahead of the curve. ISTA was the first to address these emerging technologies, and I believe that’s the kind of leadership we need in the seed testing world.
What ISTA offers is protection — protection for farmers, for labs, the end user and for the industry itself. By setting high standards based on good science that are recognized globally, ISTA ensures that we have the technical competence to provide the tests that are reliable, repeatable, trustworthy, uniform and relevant to sustainable modern agriculture. And it’s not just about staying relevant — it’s about instilling confidence.
As ISTA-accredited seed labs around the world implement cutting-edge technology many people have never seen before, it’s becoming apparent that ISTA is doing remarkable things in the world of seed testing, and I believe that eventually, even the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will adopt their standards for Canadian accredited laboratories.
Being part of ISTA’s network has given us confidence in the work we do, knowing that we’re aligned with uniform standards which have been vetted by experts and are continuously monitored with unique proficiency tests.
As technology continues to transform agriculture, ISTA’s role will only become more crucial. And for me, being part of that forward-thinking network means we’re ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
