Partners in Innovation, a coalition of farmer, industry and value chain organizations is pleased to welcome the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) to its membership. CCGA joining Partners in Innovation this week brings the active coalition membership to 19.
“New pests, changing climates, evolving consumer demands and shifting market dynamics require continuous investment in farmgate innovation to keep canola farmers competitive in the global oilseed market,” says Brett Halstead, President of CCGA. “Enhancing our research environment to better attract investment in new plant varieties is essential to keep our farms sustainable agronomically, environmentally and economically today and into the future.”
The changes to Canada’s Plant Breeders’ Rights legislation as proposed in Bill C-18: the Agricultural Growth Act, passed second reading in the House of Commons prior to Parliament rising for summer. The legislation will be reviewed by the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food in the fall.
Partners in Innovation has been asking for updated Plant Breeder’s Rights legislation to bring Canada in line with UPOV 91, an international convention adopted by Canada’s competitors. Canada is one of only two developed country members which have not ratified the Union for the Protection of New Plant Varieties (UPOV 91), currently putting Canadian plant breeders and farmers at a competitive disadvantage. Adoption of Plant Breeders’ Rights amendments will encourage both public and private-sector investment in new crop varieties.
“The changes proposed in Bill C-18 should enhance crop innovations and generate investment in Canadian agriculture,” says Halstead. With 90% of canola grown in Canada exported, canola growers need a competitive regulatory framework at home and the right set of crop input tools to compete internationally. “The competitiveness of our industry, which contributes $19 billion annually to the Canadian economy, depends on up-to-date regulations and we welcome opportunities taken by the government and Partners in Innovation to ensure farmers’ have continued access to the tools required to maintain the profitability of our farms,” says Halstead.
Partners in Innovation brings together organizations representing the vast majority of farmers and accounting for most of Canada’s crop production acres; including grains, oilseeds, pulse crops, vegetables and fruit, potatoes and ornamentals. The members of Partners in Innovation support amendments to Plant Breeders’ Rights legislation that puts Canada on an equal footing with most developed countries. This is critical to the ability of our farmers and our agricultural industry to compete globally and continue to meet the needs of a rapidly growing world population.
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Contact:
Kelly Green
CCGA, Director, Communications
(204) 789-8821; kellyg@ccga.ca
For more information on the Partners in Innovation, please visit:
Web: www.partnersininnovation.ca
Twitter: @CdnAgInnovation