and elsewhere about LLP in seed, is AAFC’s Low Level Presence in Seed Working Group. Adopted by the value chain roundtable in 2013, the working group shares information and ensures the industry is well informed and up-to-date on international initiatives relating to LLP in seed, including the efforts of ISF and other countries. “At this point, it’s not so much about policy development as keep- ing everyone in the loop and making sure they know the Canadian per- spective,” says Carey, who now chairs the working group. “Whatever policy is developed internationally must reflect the needs of CSTA’s members so they can do business,” he says. The working group will also review the policymaking process undertaken for LLP policy in grain. “You can’t underestimate the complex- ity of [LLP]. In some countries, LLP or GM is still a hot topic,” says Carey about lessons learned from domestic grain LLP policy development. “Make sure your consultations are holistic and you haven’t forgotten any value chain partners, and it’s a policy that’s reproducible. One reason it takes so long is you have to make sure you’re bringing everyone along and you’re getting buy-in as you go.” Affleck also considers consulta- tion an important part of the process, adding a straightforward, open path toward policy development is helpful. “Canada’s approach to be trans- parent and consultative in their devel- opment of a [grain] LLP policy was the right approach. It allowed indus- try to discuss the challenges they’re encountering and for government to discuss their issues, and for us to come together with a model policy that was well received by all parties involved,” says Affleck. However, expect the LLP in seed policy development process to be driven by industry rather than gov- ernment, says Carey. “The way I think LLP in seed will develop is it will be industry-led and government-enabled, where the ISF is leading it — and the SAA is leading it,” he says. A number of working group members are government representa- tives, which is invaluable, says Carey. CFIA, AAFC, the Grains Commission and Global Affairs Canada all have a seat at the table. “We have our regulators and our Canadian bureaucrats there as a sounding board to ensure that what [industry stakeholders] are talking about seems relevant, appropriate and reproducible in Canada, and in line with the government’s thinking on LLP,” says Carey. Some of these working group members have previous experience creating LLP policy. “It’s a big advan- tage that we can provide feedback about what’s happening on the seed side to regulators and bureaucrats involved on the grain side. They can draw parallels as to what worked well or didn’t work well,” says Carey. And keeping everyone on the same page is essential. “We’re really making sure we’re in lockstep with our partners — that we’re on the same path and not on divergent routes.” As the working group chair and CSTA’s executive director, Carey will be gathering information and monitoring the international discus- sions taking place about LLP in seed from the vari- ous meetings he’s attending. Already, he says, the CSTA has carried out an environmental scan on LLP in seed for the working group to review and finalize for release and public con- sumption. Carey plans to reconvene the working group for LLP discussions, as well as to report back to the value chain roundtable when that group assembles in the spring. “Once these international meetings are wrapped up, we’ll have a debrief on what’s happening internationally to get a sense from our industry and government colleagues what actions Canada needs to take,” says Carey. Although it may seem a slow- going process, that’s the correct speed for this type of policymaking. “It’s not something you want to rush. You wait to make sure it’s done deliberately and correctly so that you’re going in with a solid position. We did that with grain, and I think the same can be said for seed,” says Affleck. JANUARY 2018 GERMINATION.CA 49