45 Advancing Seed in Alberta | fall.2017 TheRundownonSeed Synergy TheSeedSynergyCollaborationProjectasaconcept originatedamongfiveofthecurrentprojectpartners atameetinginApril2015.CropLifeCanadajoinedthe discussioninDecemberofthatyear. AspartoftheSeedSynergyproject,thereisagreement amongthesixassociationsonmanyofthekeyquestions thatneedtobeaskedinrelationtosucharegulatory systemredesign,including: •Whatisthepurposeoftheseedregulatorysystem? • Whattypeof“next-generation”systemisbestsuitedto fulfillthatpurpose? • Whataretherespectiverolesofindustryand governmentinanyfutureseedregulatorysystem? • Whatinstitutionalarrangementswillberequiredto supportsuchasystem? clarity and flexibility to affected regulated parties for seeds imported, conditioned, stored, tested, labelled, exported and sold in Canada.” Dave Carey, who took the reins on July 7 as the CSTA’s new executive director, says Seed Synergy is a key priority for him in his new role. Prior to assuming his new role, Carey was CSTA’s government affairs and policy director. “We need to provide increased value to the membership as we head down the Seed Synergy path and be an important voice in the discussion,” he says. Carey takes over the executive director role from Crosby Devitt, who was a big proponent of the Seed Synergy initiative. Prior to leaving CSTA to serve as vice-president of the Grain Farmers of Ontario, Devitt said the project allows CSTA to “create its future” and reach out to other associations and figure out how to better work together. Carey agrees, but emphasizes the importance of CSTA moving forward as an independent entity while the Seed Synergy discussion goes on. “Our first priority will continue to be our members. I think Seed Synergy will ultimately provide benefits to our members, but in the meantime CSTA still has a lot of our core work to do.” The six associations involved in Seed Synergy are realizing there’s a convergence of many issues — communication, public trust, the need to have an influence over the industry’s future and the need for an efficient regulatory system. Marc Zienkiewicz