Ottawa, Ontario – Today’s announcement by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on plant breeding innovation sets the stage for new seed innovation in Canadian soybeans. The guidance on environmental pre-market assessment provides needed clarity and is the second last step for soybeans produced using gene editing to be commercialized and bring benefits to consumers in Canada and around the world.
“Today’s long-awaited announcement is one step closer to helping our soybean seed providers have new tools to produce more resilient, healthier and more bountiful crops for our growers,” says Brian Innes, executive director of Soy Canada. “We know this technology will have a significant impact soon.”
Gene editing is especially relevant to the soybean industry, as there are Canadian seed and technology companies ready to help make soybeans that are more resistant to climate stresses like drought, are higher yielding, are healthier, have higher protein and produce more versatile oil. The technology makes plant breeding quicker and more accessible, with many small, medium, and large organizations already having gene edited soybean innovations in their pipeline. There are gene edited solutions nearing commercialization for seed companies in Quebec, Ontario, and western Canada that will contribute to the sustainable growth of the soybean industry.
The Canadian soybean industry has excelled at meeting diverse customer needs with a vibrant sector producing organic, non-genetically modified, genetically modified and identity preserved soybeans. Maintaining market confidence by meeting each customer’s specific needs remains an important priority the industry. For example, Canada’s current and planned transparency initiatives and the world-class Canadian Identity Preserved Recognition System will be required to deliver assurances to customers – just as they have been for Canada’s world renowned non-genetically modified food-grade soybeans.
“Our customers know that we excel at providing a diverse range of products,” says Innes. “We’re committed to continue providing customers what they want once we commercialize soybeans created using gene editing.”
Soy Canada is a national value-chain organization for the soybean sector, including seed companies, Canada’s 30,000 growers, exporters and processors. Created in 2014, Soy Canada leads the sector’s efforts on market access and market development, provides industry leadership on issues affecting the growth and profitability of the soybean sector and coordinates research efforts across the value chain and across the country.
Source : Soycanada