Candidate's Guide To The Seed Grader Evaluation

Version 4.0

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1.0 Purpose of this Guide
• 2.0 Purpose of the Seed Grader Evaluation
• 3.0 Application to Write the Seed Grader Evaluation
• 4.0 Definition of Types of Seed Graders
• 5.0 General Information
• 6.0 Practical Evaluation Scope
• 7.0 Evaluation Location
• 8.0 Evaluation Marking
• 9.0 Evaluation Outline
  • GB Grader/ including Seed Analyst
  • GD Grader
  • GI/SIRA
• 10.0 Evaluation Format
  1. Retrieval
  2. Identification
  3. Classification
  4. Reporting
  5. Grading
  6. Documentation Review and Grading (GB and GD)
  7. Documentation Review and Verification of Minimum Import Release
• 11.0 Written Evaluation
• 12.0 Hints for Writing This Evaluation

Appendices

• A. List of Specimens for Identification Evaluation
• B.
  1. Seed Grading Report
  2. Pedigreed Seed Declaration
• C.
  1. Canadian Report of Analysis
  2. Review of Report of Analysis Checklist
  3. Standard Conformity Assessment Checklist/Grading Report
• D.
  1. Foreign Report of Seed Analysis
  2. Review of Report of Analysis Checklist
  3. Minimum Standard Conformity Assessment Checklist
  4. Canadian Report of Analysis
  5. Minimum Standard Conformity Assessment Checklist

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1.0 PURPOSE OF THIS GUIDE

The purpose of this guide is to inform candidates of the general structure of the various parts of the evaluations. It is not intended as a study guide. However, the relative weights of the various parts and an overview of the structure should aid the candidate during preparation for the evaluation.

2.0 PURPOSE OF THE SEED GRADER EVALUATION

The purpose of the evaluation is to objectively measure that a grader has achieved the level of skill and knowledge of the principles to retrieve, identify, classify and report impurities and assign the appropriate Canada pedigreed grade or for the verification of minimum import requirements. The use of a centralized proficiency test provides national uniformity for accreditation of seed graders in Canada.

3.0 APPLICATION TO WRITE THE SEED GRADER EVALUATION

Candidates must:

1. request an application from the regional or district office of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA);
2. apply to write the applicable Seed Grader Evaluation; and
3. submit the application fee to the regional office (see 8 (h)) of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

3.1 Seed Analysts Applying to Write a Seed Grader or Seed Import Release Agent Evaluation

Candidates requesting to write the accredited seed analyst examination may also request to write the seed grader evaluation at the same time. Requests should be submitted to the Section Head, CFIA Saskatoon Laboratory, Seed Science and Technology Section, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, 301-421 Downey Road, S7N 4L8, Fax (306) 975-6450.

4.0 DEFINITION OF TYPES OF SEED GRADERS

4.1 GB Grader

A grader accredited:

1. to retrieve, identify, classify and report impurities and to assign a Canada pedigreed grade name to all crop kinds set out in Tables I to VI of Schedule I of the Seeds Regulations;
2. to review analytical information on reports of analysis to assign a Canada pedigreed grade name to all crop kinds set out in Tables I to VI; and
3. the candidate also may choose to review the analytical information on reports of analysis from accredited seed laboratories recognized by CFIA and assign a Canada pedigreed grade name to all crop kinds set out in one or more of the following groups of Grade Tables: Grade Table VII, and/or Grade Tables VIII-X, and/or Grade Tables XI-XII, and/or Grade Tables XIII-XV, and/or Grade Tables XVI-XX of Schedule I.

A GB grader may also be a seed analyst accredited to assign the grade to any crop kinds for which they have been accredited to test for purity, germination and, where applicable, disease.

4.2 GD Grader

A grader accredited to review the analytical information on reports of analysis from accredited seed laboratories recognized by CFIA and assign a Canada pedigreed grade name to all crop kinds set out in one or more of the following groups of Grade Tables: Grade Tables I to VI, and/or Grade Table VII, and/or Grade Tables VIII-X, and/or Grade Tables XI-XII, and/or Grade Tables XIII-XV and/or Grade Tables XVI-XX of Schedule I.

4.3 GI Grader/Seed Import Release Agent (SIRA)

A grader accredited to review the analytical information presented on reports of analysis to verify that minimum import standards are met for the release of seed lots into Canada for all crop kinds set out in one or more of the following grouping of Grade Tables: Grade Tables 1 to VI, and/or Grade Table VII, and/or Grade Tables VIII-X, and/or Grade Tables XI-XII, and/or Grade Tables XIII-XV and/or Grade Tables XVI-XX of Schedule I.

5.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

The evaluation will be written by any person wishing to become newly accredited or by any formerly accredited grader who has voluntarily cancelled their accreditation three or more years previously. Candidates wishing to be accredited as a grader must complete all portions of the evaluation (written and practical) within a three year period.

Note: Candidates wishing to be accredited as a GB or a GD grader (except for seed analysts) must apply to and write the Canadian Seed Institute (CSI) written theory evaluation in addition to the CFIA administered practical assessment before accreditation will be granted.

The evaluations will test the candidate's knowledge of the principles, practices and ability to retrieve, identify, classify, report impurities and grade seed of pedigreed status and, in the case of imported seed lots, the principles and practices to evaluate the imported seed and accompanying documentation to verify the minimum requirements for import release.

The candidate should be familiar with the Seeds Act, the Seeds Regulations, the Grade Tables, the Weeds Seeds Order, and the applicable CFIA Specific Work Instructions (SWIs).

All parts of the seed grader evaluation must be returned to the supervisor of the evaluation. No copies are to be made in whole or in part. All parts of the evaluation are open book.

The composition of the evaluation will depend on the scope of the accreditation requested by the candidate. The scope of specific evaluations is described below:

1. GB scope of accreditation - Grade Table I-VI - a one part evaluation consisting of retrieval, identification, classification, reporting, documentation review and grading exercises;
2. GB scope of accreditation - Grade Table I-VI - and one or more of the groups of Grade Tables VII, VIII-X, XI-XX, XII-XV and/or XVI-XX - a two part evaluation consisting of the parts listed in a) and documentation review and grading exercises for the group of Grade Tables requested by the candidate;
3. GD scope of accreditation - a one part evaluation consisting of documentation review and grading exercises for the group of Grade Tables requested by the candidate;
4. GI scope of accreditation - a two part evaluation consisting of documentation review and minimum import standards conformity assessment exercises for the group of Grade Tables requested by the candidate and a written theory evaluation;
5. Seed analysts - a written evaluation only.

The time required for the evaluation will depend on the scope of the accreditation. There is no time limit. The candidate will be evaluated on their ability to sample seed, as required.

All parts of the seed grader evaluation have been prepared by the CFIA Saskatoon Laboratory, Seed Science and Technology Section, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Seed Section, Ottawa, Ontario.

6.0 PRACTICAL EVALUATION SCOPE

As required, the candidate will be evaluated on their ability to sample seed.

Accreditation shall be granted based on groups of Grade Tables in Schedule 1.

The evaluations for seed examination shall be set out based only on Grade Tables of Schedule 1 as follows:

• Group 1 Grade Tables I-VI

The evaluations for review of reports of analysis shall be set out based on groups of Grade Tables of Schedule 1 as follows:

• Group 1 - Grade Tables I-VI
• Group 2 - Grade Table VII
• Group 3 - Grade Tables VIII-X
• Group 4 - Grade Tables XI-XII
• Group 5 - Grade Tables XIII-XV
• Group 6 - Grade Tables XVI-XX

Please note accreditation is not granted by crop kind or kinds.

6.1 GB Grader Accreditation

Where the candidate wishes to be accredited to examine seed and review reports of analysis to assign a Canada pedigreed grade name to those crop kinds set out in one or more of the groups, the candidate shall be evaluated for their ability to:

1. retrieve, identify, classify, report and grade and to review reports of analysis to assign a Canada pedigreed grade name on any of the crop kinds set out in Tables 1 to VI of Schedule 1;
2. review reports of analysis and assign a Canada pedigreed grade name to any of the crop kinds set out in one or more of groups 2 to 6 of Grade Tables as requested by the candidate; and
3. answer questions on their knowledge of the Seeds Regulations, Grade Tables of Schedule 1 and the Weeds Seeds Order as they apply to assigning a Canada pedigreed grade name.

6.2 GD Grader Accreditation

Where the candidate wishes only to review reports of analysis and assign a Canada pedigreed grade name to those crop kinds set out in one or more of groups 1 to 6, the candidate will be evaluated on their ability to:

1. review reports of analysis and assign a Canada pedigreed grade name to any of the crop kinds set out in one or more of the groups as requested by the candidate; and
2. answer questions on their knowledge of the Seeds Regulations, Grade Tables of Schedule I and the Weeds Seeds Order as they apply to assigning a Canada pedigreed grade name.

6.3 Accredited Seed Analyst or those applying to write the accredited seed analyst examinations

The analyst must be accredited for or requesting accreditation for purity and germination for the group of grade tables for which they are requesting accreditation to assign a Canada pedigreed grade name. The candidate will be evaluated for their ability to answer questions on their knowledge of the Seeds Regulations, Grade Tables of Schedule I and the Weeds Seeds Order as they apply to assigning a Canada pedigreed grade name.

6.4 GI Grader Accreditation (Seed Import Release Agent (SIRA))

Where the candidate wishes to review foreign or Canadian Reports/Certificates of Analysis to verify minimum import standards for those crop kinds set out in one or more of groups 1 to 6, the candidate shall be evaluated for their ability to:

1. review foreign or Canadian reports/certificates of analysis to verify minimum standards on any of the crop kinds set out in one or more of the groups as requested by the candidate; and
2. answer questions on their knowledge of the Seeds Regulations, Grade Tables of Schedule I and the Weeds Seeds Order as they apply to verifying minimum import standards.

7.0 THE EVALUATION LOCATION

All candidates will be required to write the Canadian Food Inspection Agency evaluation in a CFIA office or a CFIA designated location. The evaluation will be supervised by Canadian Food Inspection Agency personnel. The location, date and time will be determined upon approval of the candidate's application.

The candidate will be evaluated on their ability to sample seed, if required, on site.

8.0 EVALUATION MARKING

The following points should be noted with respect to the marking of evaluations:

1. candidates must achieve a passing mark on each part of the evaluation;
2. accreditation will not be granted until all parts of the evaluation are returned and marked;
3. evaluations measuring a candidate's ability to sample, retrieve, identify, classify, report and grade require a passing mark of 80%;
4. evaluations measuring a candidate's knowledge of the principles and practices of conditioning, sampling, testing and grading testing and grading of seed require a passing mark of 80%;
5. where the candidate does not pass the identification and/or sampling portion of the evaluation, only that part must be re-written;
6. where a candidate does not pass the written theory evaluation, documentation review evaluation and/or the practical evaluation components of retrieval, classification, reporting or grading, all parts must be re-written;
7. where the candidate is a seed analyst, the evaluation consists of a written evaluation ONLY. The evaluations measure the candidate's knowledge of the principles and practices for the conditioning, sampling, testing and grading of seed and requires a passing mark of 80%. Seed grader accreditation will not be granted to those candidates writing the seed analyst accreditation exams until there is verification that the candidate has successfully completed the seed analyst accreditation exams. Seed grader accreditation will be granted to a seed analyst who is an accredited seed analyst upon successful completion of the seed grader evaluation for the scope of the analyst's seed analyst accreditation;
8. If it is required to re-write an evaluation, the candidate must submit a request to rewrite and the evaluation fee to the regional office of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency;
9. All examination papers and application correspondence will be kept in a confidential file by the Administrator of Evaluations;
10. Successful candidates will be notified and issued an accreditation number by the Registrar, Seed Section, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, Ontario.

9.0 EVALUATION OUTLINE

The following gives an overview of the content of the evaluation for the different scopes of accreditation.

All evaluations are open book. All reference documents will be provided as required.

GRADER TYPE: GB

Evaluation Format	Reference Material	Components	Pass Mark	Approx Time
Practical Tables I to VI inclusive	Reference Collection of Weeds and Crop Seeds Illustrated Drawings of Weed and Crop Seeds	Identification	80%	2 -3 hrs
Practical Tables I to VI inclusive	Seeds Act Seeds Regulations Weed Seeds Order	Retrieval Classification Reporting Grading	80%	2 -3 hrs
Practical by grade table group	Seeds Act Seeds Regulations Weed Seeds Order as required: applicable references CFIA SWIs SWI 132.1.1 SWI 132.1.2 SWI 132.1.4	In accordance with the scope of accreditation interpretation of reports of analysis application of grade scenario questions grade table group related	80%	1 hr
Written Administered by CSI	Seeds Act Seeds Regulations Weed Seeds Order as required: applicable CSI Tech Manual or related references	Knowledge of the principles and practices of conditioning, sampling, testing and grading as defined in the Seeds Act Seeds Regulations the applicable CSI Technical Manual or related references	80%	1 hr

 

GRADER TYPE: GB FOR SEED ANALYSTS ONLY

Evaluation Format	Reference Material	Components	Pass Mark	Approx Time
Written	Seeds Act Seeds Regulations Weed Seeds Order as required: applicable references CFIA SWIs SWI 132.1.1 SWI 132.1.3 SWI 132.1.4	Principles and practices of conditioning, sampling, testing and grading as defined in the Seeds Act Seeds Regulations the applicable references	80%	1 hr

 

GRADER TYPE: GD

Evaluation Format	Reference Material	Components	Pass Mark	Approx Time
Practical by grade table group	Seeds Act Seeds Regulations Weed Seeds Order as required: applicable references CFIA SWIs SWI 132.1.1 SWI 132.1.3 SWI 132.1.4	Classification In accordance with the scope of accreditation: interpretation of reports of analysis application of grade scenario questions grade table group related	80%	1.5 hrs
Written Administered by CSI	Seeds Act Seeds Regulations Weed Seeds Order as required: applicable CSI Technical Manual or related references	Knowledge of the principles and practices of conditioning, sampling, testing and grading as defined in the Seeds Act Seeds Regulations applicable CSI Technical Manual or related references	80%	1 hr

 

GRADER TYPE: GI/SIRA

Evaluation Format	Reference Material	Components	Pass Mark	Approx Time
Practical by grade table group	Seeds Act Seeds Regulations Weed Seeds Order as required: SWI 132.1.1 SWI 162.2.3	Classification In accordance with the scope of accreditation: interpretation of foreign and Canadian reports/certificates of analysis verification of minimum import release standards scenario questions grade table group related	80%	1-2 hrs
Written	Seeds Act Seeds Regulations Weed Seeds Order as required: SWI 132.1.1 SWI 162.2.3	Principles and practices of to evaluate the imported seed and accompanying documentation as defined in the Seeds Act Seeds Regulations sections 1 - 42 applicable CFIA Specific Work Instructions	80%	1-2 hrs

10.0 EVALUATION FORMAT

No copies of the evaluations will be available for study purposes.
The format of the evaluation is outlined on the following pages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.0 WRITTEN EVALUATION

The objective of the written evaluation is to assess the candidate's knowledge of the principles and practices of conditioning, sampling, testing and grading of pedigreed seed or verification of minimum import requirements.

The written evaluation for the GB or GD grader is administered by the CSI.

The written evaluation for GI/SIRA grader is administered by CFIA.

It is recommended that the candidate be familiar with the Seeds Act, the Seeds Regulations, the Grade Tables and the Weeds Seeds Order. This does not mean memorizing these documents but rather being aware of the contents of each such that you can identify the document which contains the answer and retrieve the answer to a question with a minimum of searching.

Please note:

1. The questions are not necessarily grouped together according to subject;
2. Questions are a combination of multiple choice, fill in the blank or short answers;
3. The evaluation is open book and answers can be found in the reference documents provided.

Example of a question: GI/SIRA Grader

• For each lot imported into Canada, what information is an Authorized Importer required to provide to the Agency?

12.0 HINTS FOR WRITING THIS EVALUATION

The following may provide guidance during the evaluation:

1. a long answer is rarely required;
2. point form is desired;
3. read each question carefully;
4. use as much paper as you like;
5. please be as neat as possible;
6. there are no trick questions. If the meaning of a question is unclear, do not hesitate to ask the invigilator for clarification;
7. consider the value of the question when preparing your answer. A one point question should not require several sentences.

Next page: Appendix A