The Potato Growers of Alberta (PGA) are applauding the Government of Canada’s recent updates to Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) legislation, calling the changes a greatly anticipated step forward for Canada’s potato industry.
The announcement by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), supported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), updates the regulations to extend protection for potatoes from 20 to 25 years and streamlines administrative processes. The changes will allow breeders more time to recoup their investment, increase competition and choice for Alberta seed potato producers, and reduce the administrative burden through a more modernized regulatory system.
Potatoes are a uniquely challenging crop to bring to market. It can take many years to breed, evaluate, and properly multiply varieties to a commercial scale before a breeder can start to see returns on their investment. Extending plant breeders' rights to 25 years will make Canada a more enticing place to drive innovation, resilience and competitiveness for producers. This change also puts the Canadian industry in better alignment competitively with other parts of the global market.
“These changes will help Alberta growers access better varieties adapting to changing growing conditions with increased disease resistance and marketable yield. This is an important step in keeping my farm competitive and sustainable for the future,” said Jake Hoogland, Hoogland Farms.
This regulatory change has been a priority for the Potato Growers of Alberta for more than a decade, and the organization would like to recognize the contributions of Deb Hart, retired seed coordinator, who continued her role as co-chair of the Plant Breeders’ Rights Committee to help guide the legislation to completion.
The organization also thanks the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for advancing these changes to strengthen Canadian agriculture.
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