SEPTEMBER 2017 GERMINATION.CA 55 Who said what? GM ALFALFA MUST BE DEREGISTERED, FARM GROUPS SAY FourteenfarmorganizationsarecallingontheCanadiangovernment tocancelvarietyregistrationforallgeneticallymodifiedalfalfauntil a full economic impact assessment is conducted, and to establish a protocol for testing all imports of alfalfa seed grown in the U.S. “Throughcross-pollination,GMalfalfaposesapotentialriskofcon- tamination of feral alfalfa plants that grow in ditches and pastures over significant distances, as well as neighbouring alfalfa fields, including those that are certified organic,” said Marcel Groleau, President of the Union des Producteurs Agricoles (the Union of Agricultural Producers in Québec) in a news release. The group is asking the federal government to take three actions: • Deregister GM alfalfa varieties; • Make locations of GM alfalfa plantings public so farmers can pro- tect their fields and crops until all GM alfalfa varieties are taken off the market; and • Test imports of alfalfa seed grown in the U.S. “GM alfalfa needs to be deregistered and taken off the market as soon as possible,” said Lisa Mumm, board member of the Canada OrganicTradeAssociationandafarmer-ownerofMumm’sSprouting Seeds, which grows and sells organic sprouting seeds for the con- sumer market. CANADA, MEXICO COMMITTED TO INTEGRATING AG MARKETS Canada and Mexico are committed to creating a more integrated North American market for agriculture to help our respective sec- tors grow their businesses and remain globally competitive, Canadian agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay said after a recent meeting with Mexican ag minister José Calzada. “Together, we have cultivated a robust bilateral agricultural trade relationship that is mature, balanced, and complementary. Our meetinginCalgary providedavaluableopportunitytoreaffirmourcommitmenttocontinuecollaboratinginareasofcommoninterest such as science and technology, which is helping to advance key areas of research including climate change, and developing more disease resistant wheat and potato varieties,” MacAulay said. “As a region and bilaterally, we have also coordinated in the areas of plant and animal health, trade of biotechnology products and improved regulatory cooperation.” Canadian agri-food imports from Mexico are valued at $2.4 billion, while Mexican agri-food imports from Canada are valued at $2.1 billion, MacAulay pointed out. For example, 95 per cent of all the avocados consumed in Canada are from Mexico, and over 90 per cent of canola seed imported by Mexico is from Canada. Canada, Mexico and the United States recently affirmed their shared commitment to collaboration and open and transparent markets during trilateral agriculture meetings held in Savannah, Georgia, in June 2017. SALUTING THOSE WHO PAVED THE WAY Martin Pick, himself a Canadian seed industry veteran, sent us an email after reading our July feature on the history of the seed sector: "Enjoyed your current edition and the professional pres- entations.However,mayIsuggestyouhavemissedsome key early players who had the foresight to pave the way for where we are today. Wilf Bradnock: Headed the seed section of Agriculture Canada in the 1970s. He recognized the future needs of the seed industry and was a key promoter for the intro- duction of Plant Breeders' Rights. Ed T. McLaughlin: Ran the Canadian Seed Growers' Association. Ed traveled across Canada promoting the conceptof"SeedsCanada",laterre-namedSeCan.Ineed not elaborate about the success of this initiative. William 'Bill' Leask: Was likely the longest-serving exec- utive director of the Canadian Seed Trade Association. When the decision was made to move the office from Winnipeg, executive members undertook a search and selected Bill, who was a strong voice and leader during the transformation from a basically commodity-based to science-based industry." Thanks for the input, Martin!