b'CSI / CSI-ICS.COM / CLOSING THE ORGANIC SEED GAPTHE SEED INDUSTRY CAN DO MORE TO HELP ORGANIC PRODUCERSAS SUMMER ENDS, CSIs organic certification program isversity across Canada. The initiative ramping up with numerous producer inspection reportsis partnering with farmers and other ready for the final certification decision. Reviewing ourpartners to build a diverse and resil-clients files reminds me of the huge gap in availabilityient supply of seed.of organic seed, one I know our agricultural communityAs noted in the study The Market could work more effectively together to narrow.for Organic & Ecological Seed in Seed is one of the many inputs for organic crop pro- Canada by Marie Eve-Levert, the duction that must be compliant with the requirementsorganic market is dynamic and prescribed in Canadas organic standards. To be compli- evolving rapidly, and there is sig-ant, organic producers need:nificant growth potential for organicCertified organic seed;seed, both at production and in theVarieties suitable to low-input agriculture;marketplace. Roy van Wyk Varieties that are disease and insect resistant,One major recommendation CSI Executivedrought tolerant, and have the ability to tolerate lowof the study is to develop a coor-Director fertility;dinated approach among organicNon-GE varieties;certification bodies (of which CSI isS eed that has not been treated with substances pro- one) with regards to data collection hibited for use in organic production; and approaches to seed derogations.I noculants and other compliant seed treatmentIt advocates using data from organic BY THE NUMBERS products.certification bodies to help quantify 6,365 was theSourcing organic seed for producers is a huge chal- the economic contribution (current number of organiclenge. and potential) of local organic seed, operations inThe primary issue is demand for organic seed faras a means to help build a case for Canada in 2017, upexceeds supply. The supply gap is massive, and choice issupport to producers and purchasers from 5,485 the yearextremely limited. Producers often have to consider varie- to invest in the sector over the long prior ties that are either not well-adapted to their growing con- term.4,800 is theditions or not practical to source. Given the gap, organicI would suggest we develop a number of certifiedproducers are permitted to use non-organic seed, butcoordinated approach between the organic producersonly after they have exhausted their search for an organicseed industry and the organic indus-across Canada source. The search, of course, has to be documented.try. Both industries are significant in 1,865 is the esti- With 4,800 organic producers in Canada, an estimated 3.2Canadas agricultural landscape. By mated number ofmillion acres of organic crop production in 2017 (Canadanurturing a spirit of understanding certified organicOrganic Trade Association 2017 statistics), and an appe- and focusing on what the two indus-processors, han- tite for organic products that continues to grow, the seedtries have in common, we will realize dlers, manufactur- supply gap will only increase. the opportunity and make signifi-ers and retailers inWith the massive gap I see massive opportunity. Therecant progress to grow the supply of Canada are potentially thousands of varieties already registered inorganic seed. 3.2 million is theCanada that could meet the needs of the organic industry,CSI prides itself on serving organic estimated organicwe just need to produce more of these varieties organi- producers in Canada, but more can acreage in Canada cally. This will require a stronger partnership between thealways be done. If you have ideas as Source: Canadaseed and organic industries. to how the seed industry can better Organic TradeFor inspiration, the seed industry could look to theserve the organic industry, contact Association 2017Baute Family Initiative. Its working to develop varietiesme. I can be reached by email at statisticsspecifically to meet the needs of the organic industry. Itrvanwyk@csi-ics.com. works in partnership with organic and agro-ecological seed producers and farmers to advance agricultural biodi-34GERMINATION.CA SEPTEMBER 2019'