Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
February 16, 2017

The Canadian Seed Trade Association welcomes the bold proposals for growth for the agfood sector outlined in the latest Advisory Council on Economic Growth (Council) report.

Seed is the start of it all, the entire agriculture and agri-food value chain. Many of CSTA’s priorities are supported in the report, including that collaboration between governments and stakeholders, and the creation of strong, supportive policies are essential to driving economic growth. CSTA agrees with the Council that more opportunities to position Canada to the global community as a source of safe, healthy and nutritious food must be identified. CSTA also supports the Council’s recommendations to eliminate regulatory burden where possible as the seed industry innovates faster than we can be regulated.

Setting aspirational and quantified goals are part of the Council’s plan to leverage agfood sector growth and potential. This is an exciting approach and CSTA member companies are ready to lend expertise and to partner with governments and stakeholders to set these goals and bring them to reality.

“The report of the Advisory Council on Economic Growth sets out a bold path forward,” said Brent Derkatch, CSTA President. “CSTA is supportive of the aspirational vision for the future of the agfood sector. We’re calling on all our partners to take the courageous action needed to unleash the potential growth of our industry. To succeed, we need to start today.”

The Canadian Seed Trade Association is the national voice of more than 130 seed company members engaged in all aspects of seed research, production, and marketing and trade, both domestically and internationally. Learn more about CSTA at cdnseed.org.  Follow us on Twitter: @SeedInnovation 

Website: http://cdnseed.org

Published: February 16, 2017