OTTAWA – Four Canadian seed growing related associations have followed through on a promise made last year to create a new organization called Seeds Canada.
Last year, in August, five groups voted on whether or not to amalgamate into one group.
At the time all of the groups were in agreement except for one. The Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA) did not vote for the amalgamation with a slim 5 per cent voting against the idea.
The four groups who had voted for the creation of Seeds Canada have been working toward holding a second vote and finalizing their plan by Feb. 1, 2021. The vote was held in December and Seeds Canada was created without the CSGA participating.
The four partner organizations that agreed to be part of Seeds Canada are the Canadian Plant Technology Agency (CPTA); the Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada (CSAAC); the Canadian Seed Institute (CSI); and the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA)
A press release from the new organization stated: “Seeds Canada will be the leading voice of the Canadian seed sector, helping our members succeed and grow in Canada and around the world. Together, as Seeds Canada, we can accomplish things that we never could have done separately. We will provide efficient, effective and timely services – and we will continue to grow, as members, through meaningful professional development.”
The new organization believes that seed is the first step of many in the complicated agricultural food chain.
This first step contributes more than $6 billion to the economy. It employs more than 63,000 Canadians and exports more than $640 million each year.
Seeds Canada launched it’s new website on Feb. 1.
The Seeds Canada press release stated: “we will be diverse, inclusive, and democratic. All members will have an equal voice at the table, regardless of size, and will work together on behalf of Canada’s seed sector. We’re proud to introduce our Board of Directors and announce the Seeds Canada Executive Committee: Ellen Sparry, president, Eric McLean, vice president and Annie Bergeron, Holly Gelech, Quentin Martin – Members at Large”
The logo for Seeds Canada is an oval design made up of four separate seed-like shapes gathered together to form one complete shape.
Ellen Sparry, the organization’s first president said “The logo serves as a reminder of the efforts it took to get to this point, a celebration of our accomplishments, and a new vision for the future. We are stronger together.”
For more information about Seeds Canada go to seeds-canada.ca
Joseph Morin is the Editor of the Eastern Ontario AgriNews, and the Record. He is, despite years of practice, determined to eventually play the guitar properly. He has served the Eastern Ontario community as a news editor, and journalist for the past 25 years with the Iroquois Chieftain, Kemptville Advance, West Carleton Review, and Ottawa Carleton Review in Manotick. He has never met a book he did not like.
