b'necessary functions. We also need to think about the number of hours and effort that go into running these individual organiza-tions. We have skilled and competent staffing today, but a lot ofTom Greaves obtained his diploma in the heavy lifting is reliant on membership and volunteer time.agriculture at the University of Manitoba in That becomes very taxing on peoples time with the extreme2001. With many years of experience in the overlap we have with some of these organizations. agriculture field, he has held roles in quality control and plant management.SW: What are the primary considerations with regard to the benefits for the main stakeholders?DH: Were looking at where the value and benefits lie for the plant breeders creating new varieties. We can see its going toEric McLean is a seed grower and retailer in take a concerted effort to ensure we as an industry are alignedOak River, Man., and operates J.S. Henry & in being able to lobby for the rights of breeders, and that wouldSon Ltd. He describes himself as a husband, be a huge benefit a single organization will bring to the table.father, brother, son, farmer, businessman, From a seed growers perspective, their focus is on making sureand proud seed grower for many farmers in they have the right varieties in the right place at the right time.western Manitoba.We want to make sure they have the tools available to expedite their business through modernized and streamlined produc-tion systems and standards. Certification processes need to be timely and done with the right vigour. They also want to ensurehave everyone in the room at the same time, so we dont have they have access to the most innovative varieties that will createto guess what others are thinking.value for their own farm operations. Thats what were all in busi-ness forto service that end user. SW: What are the biggest challenges you see in building As far as labs and inspectors go people who help monitorthe national organization and how can we overcome everything with relation to quality assuranceworking togetherthem?with the entire value chain and seed industry means we canEM: Theres a sentiment of us versus them. How will we do it, all get and have what we need to facilitate that whole process.who will run it? It can be scary, which is natural when you build Working under one umbrella will help that. something new, but at the end of the day we have to keep fight-ing that fear and moving forward like we are doing.SW: How could having just one organization affect our countrys relationship with other seed organizations?TG: We have lots of history and legacy tied up in these five asso-How can one organization keep those close workingciations, and that means we have a lot of proud people around connections? the table. Thing is, pride can sometimes make us resistant to DH: I think one organization enhances our ability to work withchange. I believe we have the right people around the table and the global seed industry, like the International Seed Federation,most people can see the net benefit at the end of the day. We for example. When we can go to them with one solid voice, itneed to be focused and flexible as a group in building this.will mean an awful lot more to the benefit of our farmers and seed growers, as opposed to having a conversation thats frac- SW: Can you think of an example youve seen that made tured. you feel encouraged that a single national organization will become a reality?Seed World (SW): As a grower and retailer, how will aTG: It hit home for me this year when we were at the national single national seed organization benefit you? meeting in Whistler, B.C., having the gala dinner night with eve-Tom Greaves (TG): It really does get rid of the overlap. Asryone in the same room. There were 500 people together and a seed grower I belong to the Canadian Seed Growerseveryone had the same goal of bringing the industry together Association (CSGA) and as a retailer I belong to Canadian Seedand moving it forward. It was so gratifying to see 500 people Trade Association (CSTA). We face the same challenges, sowith the same goals moving in the same direction.bringing us together makes sense.EM: To be able to have a venue to bring everyone together Eric McLean (EM): The biggest thing is industry cooperation. Ilike that, thats how our associations began in the first place. look at this from a grassroots perspective. It will hopefully leadA few years ago, CSGA and CSTA held their annual meetings to reduced operating costs and increasing funds available toseparately. Its so nice when the meetings are held together, advance seed industry initiatives. Having a joint annual meet- you bump into colleagues and really get a sense of community. ing between CSGA and CSTA, for exampleby doing that, weThe more time we spend together like that, the more a single bring a broad section of people together to solve issues andnational organization makes sense.SW86/ SEEDWORLD.COMINTERNATIONAL EDITION 2020'