b'In the early stages of the pandemic, APSA deployedCanada exports over $700 million annually in seed three detailed surveys to its members to determine theto over 100 countries. Sparry herself as been very impact it was having on the seed industry. active at the international level, having been an active We saw at the time the pandemic hit last yearmember of the International Seed Federation.that many countries asked for government supportOur participation in the global market is extremely in terms of seed movement because this was the firstimportant. Canada plays a big role on the global stage factor that we saw had a huge impact, she says. Asand with everyone now at the table we are in a better we studied more, we learned that transportation wasposition to grow that market even more.really difficult for companies to find. The amalgamation was not without its bumps, Freight costs increased drastically in the region,though. Canadian Seed Growers Association mem-if transportation was available at all. However, APSAbers ultimately voted no to the amalgamation, mean-recently re-deployed the survey to find many of theing a second vote had to be held among the fourEllen Sparry.challenges first experienced in the pandemic haveremaining partners before Seeds Canada could go been addressed. ahead.We still see room for improvement in internationalThe big challenge is getting everyone to take off seed movement, she says. In addition, companytheir individual hat and play with a team mindset. Its representatives told APSA theyre taking advantage ofoften human nature to come to the table with a some-technology more in fields and in situations where itswhat protective stance, but we got there and moved not safe for them to appear in person. forward, Sparry says.As a way to promote and facilitate seed businessIt took a couple of tries; mergers dont always get and smooth trade within the Americas and globally, itsdone on the first go-around. But when you start to vital to work on the harmonization and simplification ofmove outside of your little bubble, you realize were a regulations. A common approach to these matters isglobal community. Remaining active within that inter-essential, according to Diego Risso, executive directornational community will be very important as Seeds of the Seed Association of the Americas (SAA). Canada moves forward.Seed movement is one of the challenges that mostAs the world begins turning the corner on the pan- May Kanokwan seed companies struggle with, Risso says.demic, the key to success will be a focus on innovationChodchoey.There are also a lot of challenges in the Americasand being mindful to not get caught up in the daily with the implementation of UPOV 91, since there areturmoil of the business world, says Garth Hodges, vice many countries under UPOV 78 Act, while few otherspresident of BASFs North American seed business. have already moved to UPOV 91. There has been someTwenty years ago, I had a manager named John progress on this matter, but its extremely slow consid- Westridge. John taught me a very valuable lessonering the benefits that could bring to farmers, breed- at the time I thought it was the worst piece of advice, ers, governments and other stakeholders.ever, he says with a laugh. SAA has four primary working groups on four criti- That advice? If you chase two rabbits, you wont cal topics: intellectual property, phytosanitary, seedcatch either of them.treatments and biotechnology & plant breeding inno- I always thought if I can give John this long list of vation. These groups are being led by senior expertsthings, I can really impress him. But he kept saying, bringing knowledge, expertise and management toWhats the most important one? Whats the one piece assure successful results. thats really important? So, if I had to give advice, I Were really working to keep our members engagedthink we as an industry have to choose where it is we within these groups, Risso says. That way, they can feelwant to focus. Whats the legacy that we as leaders areDiego Risso.part of the association and see its benefits. going to leave to the next generation? Engaging an IndustryHelping Government Keep UpEngagement is a challenge Sparry is intimately familiarTurns out, the most exciting opportunities for the with, and the Seeds Canada amalgamation broughtseed industry might also present the biggest that challenge to the forefront and kept her up at night.challenges. As seed companies continue to innovate and move the needle on what crops can do, regulatory agencies havent always kept pace.18/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2021'