The ASB Provincial Committee is looking for feedback from ASBs and the farmers they represent on a draft position statement supporting farmer’s right to save seed.
Just prior to COVID the CFIA announced public engagements on the Seed Regulation Modernization that would bring Canada in line with global standards. Early in-person engagements sparked controversy and concern from Alberta farmers around the implications of the modernization on access to varieties bred in Canada for Alberta conditions, and the ability to save and use the seed from those varieties. Concerns were expressed about the implications to availability of public varieties, cost of seed, and the right to save seed for future crops.
Progress has continued with the seed modernization and the ASB Provincial Committee was pleased to send a representative to a task team and bring the information back to ASB members. A summary of the CFIA report for the task team, a timeline of events in the CFIA seed modernization process and a briefing sheet are available on the website as well as a first draft of the ASB Position on Farm Saved Seed.
ASBs and the farmers they represent are encouraged to visit the page and provide feedback on the position statement through an online form.
The documents and the links to the feedback form can be found on the “ASB Position on Farm Saved Seed” page on the website.
The Position Statement will be discussed at the upcoming 2025 Provincial ASB Conference and the feedback form will remain open until April 2025.
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