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Variety Registration Review Update and Next Steps

October 18, 2005

The Variety Registration System has been under review since 1998. General consensus on the direction of required change has been achieved in a number of important areas and is reflected in the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) September 5, 2002 proposals (http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/variet/revetu/revisdprope.shtml) as well as the outcomes of three subsequent National Forum on Seed sponsored workshops.

However, stakeholder views continue to differ with respect to the degree and in some instances the nature of change outlined in these proposals. As a result, CFIA is currently developing a proposal that will allow regulatory reform to occur on an ongoing basis, albeit at different rates according to the specific conditions that prevail in various commodity sectors. This will require a modified regulatory and policy change framework that can be adjusted in a more timely, transparent and predictable manner than is presently the case.

Over the past three years, the CFIA has been working with a number of stakeholder groups to develop consultative options to facilitate the operation of such a framework, while at the same time attempting to resolve differences on substantive issues stemming from the September 5, 2002 Variety Registration Review proposal. Once in place, the new framework should allow timely implementation of the proposed changes to the Variety Registration system. Specific proposals for change will be developed and implemented where required at different rates according to the conditions prevailing in the respective commodity sectors.

There is currently a high degree of consensus around the need for change, including an increased flexibility to manage the Variety Registration System. Modernization of the Variety Registration Policy, Regulations, and Procedures remains the first priority. Once a revised framework is agreed upon, crop kind specific changes will be considered when the case for change has been established and the requisite degree of consensus is achieved.

During the next 12 months the CFIA will be consulting widely and engaging stakeholders on the substance of proposed changes. The intent of these consultations is to:

1. Strengthen the consultative framework.
2. Introduce and implement proposed changes to the Variety Registration system.
3. Review and identify additional priority areas for improvement within the seed regulatory system.

The CFIA is seeking to conclude the pre-consultations on proposed changes to the Variety Registration System on or before March 2006.