b'North Americas Seed Trade:A $500-Million Balancing ActCanadas seed industry may seem domestic, but its part of a finely tuned $500-million annual trade dance with the U.S. We are very balanced, very complementary, and incredibly inte-grated, says Lauren Comin, policy director at Seeds Canada. Seed moves fluidlyuntil it doesnt.That fluidity is at risk. With potential tariff changes and election-related policy delays in Canada, the seed sector there recently found itself in limbo. A federal election was held April 27, but at press time, Parliament wasnt scheduled to resume until the end of May.Certain seed classeslike garden and vegetable seedare almost entirely imported in Canada. We source virtually 100% of our garden seed from abroad, says Comin. And often, it moves through or is processed in the U.S., which impacts things like the tariff code.Even small policy shifts can disrupt these cross-border flows. Some companies break up their production across NorthLauren Comin serves as policy director for Seeds Canada.America to balance risk and ensure quality, she explains. Tariffs force them to rethink all of that.The ripple effect reaches beyond packets of seed sold at retail. This affects greenhouse operations, produce production, and even nursery crops, she says. One seed might cross the border multiple times. How many tariffs can it sustain before its no longer viable?Trade Policy by a Thousand Paper CutsCanadas ongoing Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) effortaimed at updating decades-old ruleshas hit a wall. The government had promised to release a policy document this spring, Comin notes. But the federal election paused all such work.In response, Seeds Canada joined CAFTA to gain better access to trade conversations and amplify its voice. Its a win-win, says Comin. CAFTA has deep experience advocating for free trade.And theres movement within the sector itself. Seeds Canada and the Canadian Seed Growers Association (CSGA) recently announced a joint proposal for a seed sector advisory com-mittee to guide future federal policy. This really is the result of months of dialogue between our two organizations, says Doug Miller, CSGA executive director.An Uncertain WorldIn terms of Canadas federal ag policy, Nova Scotia Member ofDoug Miller, CSGA executive directorParliament (MP) Kody Blois recently returned to Ottawa after winning his third electionand he began his latest term asEven though hes no longer ag minister, as an MP, Bloiss Canadas agriculture minister. In May is was announced that heagenda includes boosting domestic processing, slashing red would not remain ag minister and his seat is now occupied bytape, and expanding market access, including new trade oppor-Prince Edward Island MP Heath MacDonald, but his message istunities in the Indo-Pacific and Europe. He also highlighted a clear: during an ag leaders debate held in April, Blois said we aremajor internal win: Our premiers and prime minister have agreed living in a very uncertain world, and this is a crucial moment forto remove interprovincial barriers by July 1, he said. Thats real Canada. progress for Canadian farmers.Under the leadership of Mark Carney as our prime minister,His message: agriculture is not just part of the economyits we will help drive agriculture forward, he said. at the centre of Canadas growth strategy.SW30/ SEEDWORLD.COMJUNE 2025'