OFA supports the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) efforts to modernize Canada’s seed regulatory framework, recognizing the importance of efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness in ensuring farmer access to high-quality seed.

OFA emphasizes the need to maintain a strong national seed variety registration system that safeguards agronomic and market standards while streamlining approvals. It urges CFIA to continue collecting and sharing data on pedigreed seed production and to ensure that digital modernization efforts are well-resourced and sustainable.

OFA opposes a universal on-package country of origin labelling requirement, preferring digital tracking within import systems, and supports a balanced, external Seed Advisory Committee to provide ongoing guidance on regulatory changes and incorporation by reference. OFA also calls for clear notice of regulatory updates, protection against arbitrary cancellation of seed varieties, and measures that uphold farmer confidence in the integrity and accessibility of Canada’s seed system.