November Issue Features

Canada is one of the only developed countries in the world whose Plant Breeders’ Rights legislation doesn’t comply with UPOV 1991—and breeding programs across the country are feeling the impact.

A pilot project for inspecting certified soybean seed crops might provide some solutions to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s mission to improve seed certification across the country.

Seed companies in today’s global environment need to be aware of many different types of seed trade regulations around the world. These regulations can be unclear, contradictory, ever-changing and downright frustrating to seed exporters, but with global harmonization, the process can be made easier.

However, province-by-province statistics look somewhat different than the federal mandate would suggest. British Columbia leads provincial biodiesel standards with its requirement that biodiesel comprises four per cent of diesel supplies in 2011 and five per cent in 2012. Manitoba and Saskatchewan boast the highest provincial ethanol standards, with 8.5 and 7.5 per cent renewable material required, respectively. Ontario has no existing biodiesel requirement but requires five per cent ethanol, while the eastern and northern provinces and territories are exempt from the RFS altogether.