6 GERMINATION.CA NOVEMBER 2018 OVER THE MONTH of November, you’ll have a chance to get better informed and have your say on potential amend- ments to Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) regulations that could result from the implementation of a value creation system for cereals. The Seed Synergy partners are applauding Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay for con- firming the launch of a consultation on potential amend- ments to PBR regulations. This consultation includes value creation in cereals, which explores increasing the investment in research and innovation that is necessary to position Canada as a leader in variety development. “Everyone recognizes the need to invest in innovation in order to deliver new varieties,” said Todd Hyra, presi- dent of the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA). “In order to attract and retain the best plant breeders, Canada needs a system that compensates them for their efforts. Changes to the existing system will ensure lasting invest- ment in variety development in Canada for Canada, allow- ing us to compete more effectively on a global scale.” According to information provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), the purpose of this engage- ment is to seek views on implementing a value creation model and the two options being proposed: an end-point royalty and a trailing royalty system (the latter of which is the preferred method of the CSTA’s Intellectual Property Committee). This engagement will also assist in identifying overarching opportunities and challenges for the possible implementation of a new model for Canada, AAFC says. Sessions will be hosted over the month of November by AAFC and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Ottawa. At press time, a schedule had not yet been released. In a news release, the Seed Synergy partners — con- sisting of CSTA, the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA), CropLife Canada, Canadian Plant Technology Agency, Canadian Seed Institute and the Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada — and member companies alike said they are united in support of a consultation process that would bring about “an effective value creation system in cereals for Canadians.” “This system would allow Canada to remain competi- tive in a rapidly evolving national and international mar- ketplace and benefit cereal breeding programs for private and public companies of all sizes across Canada. As it stands, public and private breeding programs are unable to recover the full cost of variety development,” the news release says. “Seed growers recognize that any changes to the system intended to generate additional funds for plant breeding in Canada must benefit breeders and gener- ate value for producers of all crop kinds by building on the strengths of the current pedigreed seed system. We believe that additional support for Canadian plant breed- ers will lead to increased access to innovative varieties for seed growers and for our customers, and that it is essen- tial for Canadian agriculture to thrive and continue to contribute to the wellbeing of Canadians,” said Jonathan Nyborg, president of the CSGA. The Seed Synergy Collaboration Project acknowledges that the current model of the seed sector must adapt to change and seize emerging opportunities. “Canada needs a strong vision for the future, and prac- tical reforms now, to position producers, innovators and ultimately the entire agricultural value chain to succeed in a highly competitive and innovation-based global market- place,” the news release says. The federal government will hold consultations in November 2018 on value creation and potential amendments to Plant Breeders’ Rights. Don’t miss the chance to have your say. Germination staff TIMETOTALKVALUECREATION REMEMBER! These consultations happen over the month of November, but a schedule had not yet been released when this article was printed. Follow us on Twitter @GerminationMag for updates. In the meantime, flip to page 60 for info on making a value creation model work.