JULY 2017 GERMINATION.CA 13 PODCAST ALERT! Listen to interviews with Pierre Petelle and Kim McConnell at germination.ca/a- voice-science/ “As an association, we have a long history of helping to shape science-based regulatory approaches around pesticides, which we continue to do while also applying those efforts to the seed sector,” Petelle adds. CropLife Canada is also heightening its participation in discussions on interna- tional trade-related policies like low-level presence (LLP). For example, CropLife Canada played a key role in facilitating the federal government’s development of a model LLP policy for agricultural trade exports.  “Plant biotech policies in the EU and China are increasingly having a direct impact on Canadian farmers by dictating which technologies they will have access to when it comes to seed.” Keeping its members up-to-date on the latest developments in global regulatory policy is a major part of CropLife’s job. “[Farmers] need access to innovative new technologies developed by CropLife Canada’s members, including seed, to grow their crops efficiently and sustainably and to provide Canadians with the safe, affordable and abundant food supply they have become accustomed to,” Petelle says.  Another big part of CropLife Canada’s role is advocating for a policy environ- ment that encourages industry innovation, sound science and product safety. CropLife Canada has also continued to grow and diversify its membership, dem- onstrating that the industry finds value in the work the association is doing, says Petelle.  To ensure it meets the needs of its members, CropLife Canada regularly conducts member surveys to gauge the level of satisfaction with the organization’s work and receive input on how it can better serve members’ interests. Among Canada’s six seed industry representative organizations, McConnell says CropLife is unique in that its leadership has benefited from being comprised of some of the most high-level people in the seed sector. “Many of these member companies that are leaders in the chemical business are also leaders in the seed busi- ness,” McConnell notes. “When members of CropLife speak, they’re very respected and well received by pro- ducers and all of Canadian agriculture.” Engaging with consumers poses another challenge, and its role as an industry leader is one that CropLife is taking seriously. One of its newer communications outreach efforts is the Helping Canada Grow project. CropLife has a dedi- cated website (www.helpingCanadagrow.ca) that show- cases the benefits the plant science industry delivers to the economy, the environment and communities across Canada. “The perception consumers have of those member companies is, at times, not as good. On the other hand, consumers like farmers. When they see producer groups working with CropLife, that builds a stronger initiative that’s more reputable right from manufacturer to producer to consumer.” Petelle notes that consumers increasingly want to know where their food comes from and how it was grown, which offers an opportunity for CropLife to explain the role plant science technologies play in food production. “They have questions about things like GMOs, and CropLife Canada is working hard to fill the information gap with credible information. We are part of a broader agriculture industry movement to establish public trust in the food system, which ultimately impacts policy deci- sion-making.” Pierre Petelle is president of CropLife Canada. Kim McConnell is the founder of AdFarm and has worked extensively with CropLife Canada over the years. Headline: Excellence In Stewardship Type Area: N/A Colours: cmyk Publication: Germination Size: 3.25h x 7.125w in. Resolution: 300 ppi IO: GER 2017-001 Bleed: N/A Pub Date: June/2017 Excellence in Stewardship. Recipient of the CSTASeed Achievement Award CongratulationsStephen Denys on being recognized foryour contributions above and beyond the call of duty to theCanadianSeed Industry.Your long term commitment to not only the seed sector, but the future of agriculture in this country is appreciated. Stephen Denys Director of Business Management MaizexSeeds Inc. www.maizex.com MAIZEX® and Design are registered trademarks of MAIZEX SEEDS INC. SteveCongratsAd-v1.indd 1 2017-06-19 1:19 PM