56 GERMINATION.CA JULY 2017 Who said what? REGULATORY AND SCIENCE ISSUES KEY TO NAFTA Canadian officials are waiting to see how the United States plans to “set the table” for North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations, Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay says. MacAulay,whometwithU.S.agsecretarySonnyPerdueandMexican ag secretary José Calzada in June, is cautiously optimistic about coming talks regarding NAFTA, spurred by U.S. President Donald Trump’s pledge to renegotiate the 23-year-old trading relationship. “Canada’s message to our NAFTA partners is clear: an integrated agricultureandfoodsectoracrossNorthAmericaiskeytoourfuture success.Beyondtrade,thismeanscontinuedcooperationonthesci- ence and regulatory side,” MacAulay said. “There was a fair amount of discussion on sharing science and research. I used the example of Canadian scientists developing canola. We’ve established a great cooperative approach between our three nations, and I think that will continue.” Over$80billioninagriculturaltradeflowsbetweenthethreenations each year, MacAulay added. AGRI-FOOD “A DEFINING ISSUE OF OUR TIME” Three cutting-edge University of Guelph research projects in genomics received $10.7 million in support to improve crop yields and food production, and also to improve animal health and welfare. Among them is an exciting new canola project. TheinvestmentcomesfromGenomeCanada’sGenomicApplicationsPartnershipProgram(GAPP),whichsupportsuniversity-industry R&D collaborations with social and economic benefits. Increasingcanolayieldsisthegoalofthe$3.4-millioninitiativeheadedbyplantscienceprofessorPeterPauls.Hewilladapttechnol- ogy developed with U of G molecular and cellular biology professors Michael Emes and Ian Tetlow to improve crop productivity. The industry needs new breeding techniques to increase yield by some 50 per cent in the next 10 years. Pauls and his team will translate traits from other plant species to canola to increase yields while maintaining seed quality and soil conditions. The improved plants will also be commercialized. The industry partner is Benson Hill Biosystems and its Canadian subsidiary, CanolaCo. “Agri-food is a defining issue of our time, and U of G, building on its foundation of more than 150 years of bountiful innovations in agriculture and food, is uniquely positioned to make a difference,” said Malcolm Campbell, university vice-president of research. “MYADVICETOOTHERSISTOFAMILIARIZEYOURSELFWITHPLANTBREEDERS’RIGHTS ANDBESURETHATEVERYONEINYOURORGANIZATIONISONSIDEWITHTHERULES.” –AlanJohnston “WE MADE A MISTAKE AND ARE READY TO MOVE ON” SeCan and FP Genetics announced the settlement of a joint Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) case between SeCan/ FP Genetics and Johnston’s Grain Brokerage of Welwyn, Sask. The settlement relates to unauthorized advertise- mentsandsalesofPBR-protectedvarietiesACStrongfield and AC Transcend durum. The parties have agreed to a cash settlement as compen- sation for royalties, legal, investigative costs, and a dec- laration there will be no additional unauthorized sales. In addition,Johnston’shavecommittedtoanongoingaware- ness program for their employees. Johnston’sGrainownerandpresidentAlanJohnstonsaid: “We made a mistake and are ready to move on. We have implemented steps to ensure all staff and customers are aware of the PBR regulations. My advice to others is to familiarize yourself with Plant Breeders’ Rights and be sure that everyone in your organization is on side with the rules.”