CGC News

Ottawa, ON (May 3rd 2023) Today, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) released its updated guidance on plant breeding innovation, bringing a close to a consultation process launched in 2021. The guidance covers the environmental safety of plants developed using gene editing and is grounded in the same science that informed Health Canada’s food safety guidelines last year. These pieces help pave the way for Canadian farmers to have faster access to improved plant varieties.

“The CFIA’s updated guidance helps Canada stay competitive on the global stage,” says Krista Thomas, Vice President of Seed Innovation for the Canada Grains Council. “Many of our trading partners have already adopted similar science-based policies, and farmers outside of Canada have been growing gene edited crops since 2015. When we let the science be the core of regulatory decision making, we know that the end result can be trusted and is safe.”

Gene editing, with its ability to improve plant characteristics quickly and precisely, can potentially reduce the use of water, pesticides, fertilizers, land, and other resources in crop production.

“Innovations like gene-edited crops can help farmers adapt to changing climate conditions and pest pressures while continuing to produce safe, high-quality food for Canadians and consumers worldwide,” says Rick White, Chair of the Canada Grains Council. “Farmers are eager to have access to these new plant varieties and look forward to welcoming them to the Canadian marketplace.”

As new seed innovations are developed and grown in Canada, maintaining market choice is critically important for Canada’s grain sector. Comprehensive and best-in-class government and industry transparency tools are in place, ensuring that all farmers can verify when their seed was developed using gene editing and pass that information along the value chain as needed.  

“The reality is, whether it’s a seed company, a grower, or an exporter, everyone shares a vested interest in prioritizing transparency,” Krista explains. “Canada has world-leading transparency initiatives that will continue to allow us to meet our customer’s needs and deliver market choice.” 

CFIA’s new guidelines on plant breeding innovation will bolster Canada’s competitiveness in crop innovation and put more tools into the hands of farmers to contend with climate change, mounting pest pressures and an evolving marketplace. These guidelines pave the way for sustainable productivity growth and support Canada’s agricultural sector in meeting the challenges of the future.

Additional Background:

A letter endorsed by 58 organizations that represent over 190,000 Canadian farm families and Canada’s grain and horticulture value chains was sent to the Prime Minister in January, demonstrating the broad agriculture community’s support for the publication of CFIA’s guidance on plant breeding innovation.