What Is Canada’S Current State Of Plant Breeding?

Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have collaborated on developing guidance documents for plant breeding innovation, aiming to identify products considered “novel foods” and require pre-market notification and assessment. The CFIA’s new guidelines will strengthen Canada’s competitiveness in crop innovation and provide more tools for farmers to implement these innovations. CropLife Canada supports Health Canada’s updated regulatory policies for the pre-market assessment of plant breeding innovation in Canada.

A survey of 93 public and private plant breeders revealed their views on the existing Canadian regulatory framework regarding plant breeding. Plant breeding, including gene-edited technology, can help combat food insecurity by increasing drought resistance and reducing the use of pesticides. However, the regulatory status of a plant trait or variety does not provide varietal transparency in the marketplace. Health Canada is seeking feedback on two new pieces of guidance for the Novel Food Regulations, focused on plant breeding, to ensure transparency measures and investment in Canadian Organic Standards.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency administers the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act and regulations providing legal protection to plant breeding innovations. Most plant breeding is carried out by private or government institutions, with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada having research stations in all provinces. This study investigates the current state of the plant breeding sector across tertiary, government, and industry levels, focusing on Canada where advances in plant breeding technology are constrained by the boundaries of the regulatory system.

A generational shift is occurring, with highly skilled plant breeders retiring and new graduates gravitating towards other areas. CropLife Canada supports the CFIA’s updated guidance for the pre-market assessment of plant breeding innovations in Canada.

What is the problem of plant breeding?

Plant breeding faces challenges such as lack of arable land, harsh cropping conditions, and maintaining food security. Crops must mature in multiple environments to allow worldwide access, which requires solving problems like drought tolerance. Global solutions can be achieved through plant breeding, which selects specific genes to yield desired results. However, the loss of landraces and local varieties with diversity, which may have useful genes for climate adaptation, is a concern.

Conventional breeding intentionally limits phenotype plasticity within genotypes and variability between genotypes, which does not allow crops to adapt to climate change and other biotic and abiotic stresses.

Plant breeders’ rights are a controversial issue, with commercial breeders dominating the production of new varieties. Critics argue that these restrictive regulations reduce biodiversity and constrain individuals from developing and trading seed on a regional level. Efforts to strengthen breeders’ rights, such as lengthening periods of variety protection, are ongoing. Intellectual property legislation for plants often uses definitions that typically include genetic uniformity and unchanging appearance over generations, which contrast with traditional agronomic usage, which considers stability in terms of consistent yield or quality over time.

Why is Canada losing farmland?

Over the past 35 years, Ontario has lost 2. 8 million acres of farmland due to non-agricultural land uses like urbanization and aggregate mining. This is a significant issue as farmland is a finite and non-renewable resource that cannot be returned. Farmland is the foundation of communities and the economy, with the agri-food sector being the largest and employing over 860, 000 Ontarians. The protection and stewardship of agricultural land are crucial for local food and economic resiliency.

Farmlands also provide whole ecosystems for at-risk species, such as Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark, which rely on pastures for nesting and foraging. Therefore, when productive farmland is lost, it also results in the loss of productive ecosystems.

What is the future of plant breeding?

Climate change is causing a growing demand for crop varieties that can withstand extreme weather conditions. Future plant breeding efforts will focus on developing heat-resistant, drought-tolerant, and flood-resistant crops to ensure food security. Sustainability is a key concern in modern agriculture, with a focus on developing crops that require fewer inputs and contribute to soil health and biodiversity.

Addressing global malnutrition is also a pressing issue, with plant breeders working on developing improved nutritional profiles, such as biofortified crops, to combat nutrient deficiencies and improve global community health.

How much do growers get paid in Canada?

The mean annual salary for a grower is $53, 048, as estimated by the Total Pay Estimate model from the employment website Glassdoor. The “Most Likely Range” is defined as the 25th and 75th percentile of all pay data for this role. The mean base pay range is $43, 000–$66, 000, with your input assisting in the continual refinement of these estimates.

Does Canada have breed restrictions?

In the United States and Canada, certain breeds of dog are prohibited due to their perceived aggressive and dangerous nature. This includes the Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. As a result, these breeds are unwelcome in many communities.

What are the problems with farming in Canada?

Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector, which contributes to 7. 0 of its GDP and employs 1 in every 9 jobs, faces challenges such as an aging farmer population, labor force gaps, climate adaptation, and high capital costs. Despite falling commodity prices in the last year, cost structures remain high, leaving farmers with tight margins. The pandemic has also impacted Canada’s economy by both supply and demand side shocks.

How much does a plant worker earn in Canada?

The average plant operator salary in Canada is $64, 041 per year, or $32. 84 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $48, 994 per year, while most experienced workers earn up to $91, 624 per year. Airswift is working with a major Oil and Gas client to find a Sour Gas Plant Operator to join their team in Cynthia, AB. The role involves operating, monitoring, and maintaining sour gas plant equipment, adhering to safe operating practices, and performing preventive maintenance and repairs. AltaGas Pipestone is also hiring for several Operator roles in their modern sour deep-cut natural gas plant, located in the heart of Albuquerque.

What is the state of farming in Canada today?

In 2021, Canada’s largest proportion of farms was oilseed and grain, accounting for 34. 3 of total farms, followed by beef and feedlots (20. 9). These sectors accounted for 82. 7 of total farm area, totaling 127. 1 million acres. Statistics Canada will present data trends on Canadian agriculture industry issues and introduce new ways to access Census of Agriculture data. A significant conceptual change to the main statistical unit used by Statistics Canada’s Agriculture Statistics Program has been introduced for the 2021 Census of Agriculture.

A “farm” or “agricultural holding” now refers to a unit that produces agricultural products and reports revenues or expenses for tax purposes to the Canada Revenue Agency. This change may result in farms being classified differently across farm types than in previous censuses, and comparisons with earlier census results should be interpreted with caution.

Do you need a breeding license in Canada?

Animal breeders in Canada are regulated by various provincial and municipal bylaws, which often require operators to obtain permits for breeding animals for sale or operating kennels. The federal Criminal Code of Canada prohibits causing unnecessary pain, suffering, or injury to animals, with penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment, $10, 000 fine, or 18 months imprisonment. Additionally, failure to provide suitable and adequate care can result in imprisonment for up to 2 years or $5, 000 fine, or imprisonment for up to 6 months. Breeders and custodians can be held responsible under the CCC for animals in their care before sale. These laws aim to address the issue of animal cruelty and welfare in Canada.

What are the latest technologies in plant breeding?

New plant breeding techniques are being developed, including ZFN technology, cisgenesis and intragenesis development, ODM for variation induction, RdDM, grafting for desired traits, reverse breeding, and synthetic genomics. The objective of these techniques is to enhance the quality of plant life and facilitate the development of new species. Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B. V., its licensors, and contributors.

What are the plant breeding rights in Canada?

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency administers the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act and regulations, providing legal protection for new plant varieties for up to 25 years for tree and vine varieties and 20 years for all other plant varieties. A public consultation is being held to discuss strengthening these regulations by July 12, 2024. To apply for plant breeders’ rights in Canada, use the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) PRISMA application tool.