b'THERES LIGHT AT THEEND OF THE SRM TUNNELAs the final task team begins its work and Seeds Canada says its becoming skeptical of the process, policymakers are optimistic that Seed Regulatory Modernization will result in regulation that works for everyone.Marc ZienkiewiczTHE LAST OF EIGHT Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) task teamsthis one tasked with information (labelling and records)has begun its work as the SRM process approaches the end of its third year.This task teams role is important in ensuring that the regulatory changes are well-informed and efficient, says Wendy Jahn, the national manager of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Seed Section.We can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel for the whole stakeholder engagement part of this process, she said. The co-development process has involvedWendy Jahn is national manager of the CFIAMichelle Wall is a Seeds Canada board 115 stakeholders, and weve yielded overSeed Section. She said CFIA officials aremember and seeds regulatory lead for 150 recommendations thus far. actively looking at major proposals being putSyngenta Canada. According to Wall, the spirit Jahn said the next step in the processforth by stakeholders including the Canadianof the ISSB and Multi-Stakeholder Advisory will be to collaborate with IndigenousSeed Growers Association and Seeds Canada. Committee proposals are similar.partners to ensure these amendments are developed in a way thats respect- CSGA Promotes Advisory Committee SeedCert platform to create a kind of ful of Indigenous rights and interests.The CSGA recently released a handful ofdigital one-stop-shop for seed verifica-Consulting with the Indigenous commu- documents outlining its positions on fourtion, eliminating duplicate and frag-nity is a part of Canadas commitment todistinct areas being touched by the SRMmented workflows and allowing users to Truth and Reconciliation. process. They are: access information in one place. Were planning to engage with Main Administrator: CSGA wishes Variety Certification Eligibility: Indigenous partners this fall andto prioritize a simpler certificationCSGA proposes to create a new tier in winter to get a better understanding ofprocess through the consolidation andSchedule III of the Seeds Regulations, Indigenous agricultural practices andstreamlining of the current multi-layeredknown as the Variety Certification potential areas of impact that couldsystem, resulting in what CSGA callsEligibility Listing, which is identical to result from the SRM process, she said.an industry-led, government-enabledCSGAs Form 300 process regarding data Jahn emphasized the importanceseed certification system with CSGA asrequirements, to streamline the current of engaging with various stakeholdersthe main administrator managing allparallel variety listings and recognition and their diverse ideas, which includesseed certification functions on behalf ofprocesses between CSGA and CFIA.major proposals being put forth by thegovernment. This would mean the CFIA would be Canadian Seed Growers Association Digital Single Window: Underresponsible for recognizing a variety and (CSGA) and Seeds Canada.this proposal, CSGA would expand itsassessing its eligibility for seed certifi-52GERMINATION.CANOVEMBER 2023'