b'CSAAC / SEEDANALYSTS.CA / WE HEAR FROM ISTAS NEW PRESIDENTWHY SEED CERTIFICATION IS THE BEST-KEPT SECRETI RECENTLY BECAME president of thescientific symposium during its meeting. The symposium International Seed Testing Associationwas held this year.(ISTA). Its a role Im really look- ISTA encourages science-based solutions and invites ing forward to in an effort to put aseed scientists, analysts and technologists worldwide from renewed focus on the importance ofover 70 countries to become involved via its 20 techni-seed analysts in Canada. cal committees to exchange ideas and support the seed I currently work for the Canadianindustry.Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) inTechniques for sampling, vigour testing, GMO detec-Saskatoon as the Diagnostic Testtion, varietal purity and seed identification are some Steve JonesSupervisor for the Seed Certificationexamples of what ISTA laboratories and the ISTA Rules PresidentTesting Unit in the Seed Science &cover. These methods can be used by other parts of the International SeedTechnology Section (SSTS) of theseed and grain industry as the basis for detecting weed Testing Association Saskatoon Laboratory.seeds, varietal impurities and ensuring the quality of seed My journey to the CFIA started inin the marketplace.England where I worked in horticul- Seed certification is one of the best-kept secrets, and it ture, forestry and agriculture for moreworks to ensure traceability with distinct varieties, track-than 30 years. In 2008, I moved toing the generations through multiplication in the field, Canada and started work at the CFIA.using crop inspection, unique seed lot identification, for In 2016 I became an ISTA tech- ISTA maximum seed lot sizes, and through sampling and nical auditor and have the greatthen to testing while following internationally agreed-upon opportunity to audit some of the 138standard methods. The work ensures quality control and ISTA-accredited labs worldwide. consistency for end users.In my current ISTA role I regularlyWithout the expertise in seed analysis the seed indus-raise awareness regarding topics oftry worldwide could have many more issues and the role interest to the ISTA-accredited labs inof the seed scientist and analyst is often undervalued. Canada, the United States and Mexico.Though we need breeders to develop new varieties and crops, we also need scientists and technicians able to ISTA Contributionstest them and help achieve ISTAs mission statement, The main reason ISTA was estab- Uniformity in Seed Testing. lished in 1924 was to provide interna- ISTA has helped achieve these objectives via their accred-tionally-accepted methods that officialitation of laboratories or separate sampling entities, and the laboratories could use to ensureuse of standardized methods and standardized reporting on quality seed was marketed andthe Orange International Seed Lot Certificate (OIC). traded internationally. ISTA is non-governmental but formed from theMy Goals for ISTA as its New Presidentofficial seed testing laboratories as aSome of my roles over the next three years as ISTA presi-technical association, so testing rulesdent are to: and bylaws are voted on by member Continue to support the science in ISTA; countries/distinct economies. Help facilitate training in regions;One country/distinct economy gets Develop networks for train the trainer; and one vote, so getting views on propos-Build on IT-based learning tools the ISTA Technical als for seed testing rule changes fromCommittees are already providing. all the ISTA laboratories in CanadaISTA workshops organized by the ISTA Technical is one of the things I do to ensureCommittees are excellent training tools but often only reach Canadian labs have input into ISTAs20 to 30 participants. So how can we reach more people? work.This is one of the challenges we face in ISTA and Canada. At the recent ISTA meeting in Hyderabad, India, the membershipCanadas Involvement with ISTA voted on changes to the ISTA RulesIn Canada, we have two ISTA-accredited government labs:see seedtest.org for details. Everyone in the Seed Science & Technology Section, Saskatoon three years ISTA also includes aLaboratory, where we are accredited for percentage of 12GERMINATION.CA SEPTEMBER 2019'