Plant breeding innovation is critical to helping Canadian agriculture realize its full potential
Ottawa, Ontario – On March 25, 2021, the Government of Canada opened a public consultation on new regulatory guidance for novel food focused on plant breeding titled Proposed new guidance for Novel Food Regulations focused on plant breeding. The policy revisions proposed through this consultation will have a significant impact on what innovations, such as gene edited crops, come to market in Canada.
Whether it’s developing a canola variety that is more resistant to disease, a high-fibre wheat crop, a soybean that produces a healthier oil or popular fruits and vegetables that don’t go brown as quickly, reducing food waste, gene editing has the potential to offer benefits to farmers, food processors and consumers alike.
As we collectively face significant global challenges around food security and climate change, innovations like gene edited crops can help farmers adapt to changing climate conditions and pest pressures while continuing to grow safe, high quality, affordable food for Canadians and consumers around the world.
“Agriculture is an industry full of untapped potential. It has the ability to help lead Canada’s economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 public health crisis. And it can also be a solution provider as we tackle the challenge of climate change going forward,” says Tyler Bjornson, executive vice-president of the Canada Grains Council.
Canadian farmers have long been early adopters of technology, which has helped make them among the most productive and sustainable in the world.
“Canada needs to continue to be a leader in agricultural innovation, not a follower. If Canada is going to compete on the global stage and live up to its full potential then we’ll need to ensure that our farmers have access to the same kinds of crops improved through gene editing that their competitors do,” says Bjornson.
Fortunately, when it comes to gene edited crops, Health Canada is now keeping with the global scientific consensus on safety.
“We are pleased to see that Health Canada has come out clearly in support of the safety of plant breeding, and gene editing specifically, in this consultation document,” says Pierre Petelle, president and CEO of CropLife Canada.
The potential of the Canadian agriculture industry has been widely recognized in recent years. The Agri-Food Economic Strategy Table set ambitious targets for the agriculture industry, among them that Canada could be one of the top five competitors in the agri-food sector globally by 2025. To achieve this target, the Strategy Table noted that Canada would need to be a leader when it comes to both innovation as well as an agile regulatory system.
“Agriculture can be a catalyst for both economic growth and improved resilience and sustainability in our food production system. And innovation will be a critical piece of the equation. Canada now has the opportunity to adopt an approach to plant breeding innovations that enables growth in the industry for the benefit of all Canadians,” says Petelle.
Gene editing is a technology that has significant potential in human health and is currently being leveraged in the fight against COVID-19. And its promise in agriculture is just as bright. Gene editing allows plant breeders to get to the same end result they would have with traditional plant breeding but they can do it much more precisely and efficiently.
“We are encouraging the Canadian government to stand firmly behind the science on gene editing, as many of our trading partners are doing, and establish a clear and predictable regulatory approach that will help the Canadian agriculture industry remain competitive and sustainable,” says Petelle.
For more information on the benefits of gene editing visit: www.naturenurtured.ca.
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For media inquiries contact:
Erin O’Hara
CropLife Canada
Sandra Esposito
Canada Grains Council