The National Forum on Seed was created to respond to a central recommendation of Phase 1 of the Seed Sector Review, which identified the need for an ongoing consultative process to deal with regulatory and other policies affecting the seed sector.

The mandate of the National Forum on Seed is "to facilitate broad consultation and consensus building on all proposals for seed policy or regulatory change." Through a structured approach that will include working groups, the National Forum on Seed will proactively solicit all viewpoints on issues affecting the seed sector. Working Groups will focus on clearly defined areas and objectives. Initial working groups will tackle issues related to Variety Registration and Innovation and Managing Co-existence.

Forum Members

Members of the Forum include:

  • Canadian Federation of Agriculture
  • Canadian Seed Growers’ Association
  • Canadian Seed Trade Association
  • Canadian Wheat Board
  • CropLife Canada
  • Grain Growers of Canada
  • l’Union des Producteurs Agricoles
  • National Farmers Union
  • Plant Breeder Communities (private,public and university)
  • Registered Seed Establishments
  • Provincial Government Representative – East
  • Provincial Government Representative – West

Each member has one (1) seat at the Forum Table.

Ex officio members of the Forum

  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (2 seats at the table)
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency (1 seat at the table)
  • Canadian Grain Commission (1 seat at the table)
  • Executive Directors of the four ACAAF applicant organizations:
    • Canadian Seed Growers’ Association;
    • Canadian Seed Trade Association;
    • The Canadian Seed Institute; and
    • The Grain Growers of Canada