Science & Innovation

CCGA continues to participate in ongoing consultations with the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) as a continuation of the Transformation Agenda initiated in 2022. Most recently, CCGA submitted comments on the consultation on Regulations Amending the Pest Control Products Regulations (Strengthening the Regulation of Pest Control Products in Canada). The submission highlighted the importance of a predictable, science-based regulatory system and timely access to innovative, crop protection products to the success of the canola sector. Canola farmers continue to be committed to the highest standard of human health and environmental safety while supporting the PMRA in its mandate.   

Plant breeding innovation, such as gene editing, provides the potential to deliver faster access to new traits to increase yield, address agronomic challenges, and further sustainable agriculture. Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) guidance on plant breeding innovation is now in place, providing a predictable risk-based approach while maintaining food safety and transparency for Canadians.

 

Both recognize that varieties produced through plant breeding innovation are no riskier than those developed through conventional breeding and clarify when a pre-market assessment is required. The guidance aligns Canada with its trading partners and places canola farmers on a level playing field against competing grain and oilseed farmers.

 

With industry partners, CCGA advocates for a modernized framework that creates a competitive plant breeding landscape in Canada and brings innovation to the hands of farmers.

Labour is an important issue for our competitiveness. Accessing reliable farm workers that meet the unique needs of canola production is an increasing challenge. Canola farmers need workers with a specialized, ag-focused skillset that are willing to travel to rural areas and work seasonal jobs. 

 

CCGA supports the Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Workforce Action Plan. The plan, driven by industry and managed by the Canadian Agriculture Human Resource Council (CAHRC), outlines short- to long-term initiatives to address labour challenges.

A modernized Canada Grain Act and Canadian Grain Commission are needed to better align with the needs of farmers now and into the future, as farming practices, markets, and demand have changed and continue to evolve – the last comprehensive amendment occurred in 1971.

 

It has been over 50 years since a major overhaul of the Canada Grain Act and modernization of Canadian Grain Council activities. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada concluded its stakeholder consultation in spring of 2021 on the modernization of the Canada Grain Act, yet no next steps have been announced. A timely conclusion of the ongoing review and subsequent legislative changes should be a government priority. An updated Canada Grain Act would allow for important changes including defining the “gold standard” for grain assurance, enhancing farmer protections that are past due, and creating a responsive, nimble, regulatory framework that aligns with a modern trading environment.