Misconceptions of Chemical Use on Crops

Dec 07, 2022

Technology and research advancements have changed how farmers use chemicals on their crops. Even with these improvements, there’s a lot of misinformation out there amongst consumers about how chemicals are used on crops.

On the Dec. 14 episode of Seed Speaks, we’re taking a closer look at what the ag industry do to stop these rumours dead in their tracks. We’re joined by Ian Affleck, vice-president of plant biotechnology at CropLife Canada, and Stuart Smyth, an associate professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S).

Affleck works with domestic and international agricultural stakeholders and governments on the development of policies, regulations, and science related to plant biotechnology. Prior to CropLife Canada, he worked at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for 10 years, focusing on the regulation of novel plants and new varieties. Affleck has a bachelor of science in agriculture from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, and a master’s degree in agriculture from the University of Guelph.

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Video: Democratizing Gene Editing - Pairwise’s Vision for the Future of Agriculture

Pairwise has built its business around an idea that runs counter to how many companies approach innovation: make transformative technology easier to access.

In this Seed World interview, CEO Tom Adams discusses why broader access to gene editing could speed crop improvement, expand innovation opportunities and help agriculture address emerging challenges. He explains why Pairwise believes no single company can solve all of agriculture's problems alone—and why making advanced breeding technologies available to more organizations could accelerate progress across the industry.

The conversation explores how consumer trust influences technology adoption, why innovations like pitless cherries and seedless blackberries matter beyond convenience, and how future crop improvements could help address labor shortages, automation, harvest efficiency and other production challenges. Adams also shares his perspective on what the industry may be underestimating about the next wave of gene editing innovation.

Watch the full interview to hear why Pairwise believes agriculture is approaching an important inflection point for gene editing, and why the pace of innovation over the next decade could surprise the industry.

Topics Covered:

o Democratizing agricultural innovation

o Consumer trust and technology adoption

o The business case for sharing innovation

o Expanding innovation beyond major crops

o Next-generation breeding technologies