Multiplication of seed abroad

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Introduction

Seed multiplication abroad allows seed companies to produce additional generations of seed outside Canada. This is often done by taking advantage of opposite growing seasons in the southern hemisphere. By growing seed during the Canadian winter season, companies can gain an additional production cycle and accelerate seed availability. Similarly, foreign seed is often multiplied in Canada. This allows companies to benefit from Canadian:

  • growing conditions
  • expertise
  • seed production systems

When pedigreed seed is multiplied in a country other than its country of origin, crop inspection and official certification must be conducted by the authority in the country where the seed is produced. Throughout the multiplication process, the following need to be maintained and are essential to ensure seed quality and facilitate international trade:

  • varietal identity
  • varietal purity
  • pedigreed status

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Seed Schemes have established internationally recognized guidelines for the multiplication of seed abroad. These guidelines define the roles and responsibilities of:

  • the country of registration
  • the country of multiplication
  • the companies involved in seed production

Many countries have adopted these guidelines to seed certified under other systems, including Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA). Among the countries that participate in both OECD Seed Schemes and AOSCA-related certification activities include:

  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Australia

The main objective of these systems is to preserve varietal identity and varietal purity while facilitating international seed trade.

References

Definitions and acronyms

Definitions

Multiplication Abroad
The production of seed in a country different from that in which the parent seed originated. This includes the planting of Canadian-certified seed in a foreign country or foreign-origin seed in Canada, to take advantage of growing conditions to gain an extra production season
Multiplication Agreement (MA)
A formal agreement between National Designated Authority (CFIA and foreign NDA) that ensures pedigreed status, identity, purity and certification standards during foreign seed multiplication
National Designated Authority (NDA)
The official authority designated by a participating country that ensures that a country's participation in the OECD Seed Schemes is compliant, efficient and internationally recognized.
Variety Verification (VV) Sample
A seed sample provided to verify that the seed lot meets the required varietal purity and varietal identity standards. In the context of MAs, this refers to Canadian pedigreed seed lots multiplied abroad and then returned to Canada for sale. A seed sample of this lot must be tested to verify that its varietal characteristics remain intact throughout multiplication.
Reference Control (RC) Sample
An official sample of breeder status seed of a variety submitted with the application for variety registration to the CFIA's Variety Registration Office or the application for eligibility for certification through the Canadian Seed Growers' Associations (CSGA) Form 300 process; used as the variety standard for comparisons with seed of the variety from subsequent generations. For some crop kinds, where breeder seed is not available, Select or Foundation seed may be acceptable provided it is recognized by the CSGA and the breeder. RC samples must not be treated with a pest control product. (QSP 171.1).

Acronyms

  • AOSCA – Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies
  • CFIA – Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  • CSGA – Canadian Seed Growers' Association
  • DOV – Description of Variety
  • MA – Multiplication Agreement
  • NDA – National Designated Authority
  • OECD – Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
  • RC – Reference Control
  • SAG – Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero
  • SSU – Seed Science Unit
  • VV – Variety Verification

Purpose of an MA

A Multiplication Agreement (MA) establishes an official link between the National Designated Authority (NDA) in the country where the seed originates and the NDA in the country where the seed will be multiplied. For example, this could be the CFIA in Canada and the Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG) in Chile. Some NDAs require an MA to allow foreign seed to enter their certification system. The agreement helps maintain the seed's pedigreed status when the progeny is exported back to the country of origin.

MAs also support Canada's obligations pursuant to the OECD Seed Schemes. As Canada's NDA, we must verify that seed returned to Canada after multiplication abroad maintains its varietal identity and varietal purity. We must also ensure that it continues to meet certification standards.

To support this verification process, we conduct post-control testing using Variety Verification (VV) samples submitted by companies in MA contracts. For seed of registered varieties and Form 300 crops returning to Canada, companies must provide VV seed samples from each MA for post-control testing to be completed. Results of this testing are used to monitor compliance and are reported annually to the OECD.

When an MA is required

An MA is required when the NDA of the country of multiplication requires official notification of the multiplication. This notification is needed to conduct official seed crop inspection and certify the seed. Examples include Australia and Chile.

The MA between the Canadian and the foreign NDA ensures that the seed crop will be inspected and certified according to internationally recognized standards. It also ensures that throughout production varietal identity, varietal purity and pedigreed status of the seed is maintained.

Not all countries require MAs, however Chile requires MAs because of the volume of international seed being multiplied in Chile. The agreements help maintain traceability throughout the seed production process. They also inform the NDA of the country of multiplication which companies are producing seed through contracted growers. This allows the NDA to ensure there are enough inspectors available to carry out inspections. Examples of seed multiplied abroad include:

  • experimental lines
  • unregistered varieties
  • parental lines
  • inbred lines of hybrids
  • breeder status seed

Seed production responsibilities

The OECD Seed Schemes identify the responsibilities for all parties involved in the multiplication process which includes:

  • the NDA of the country of registration
  • the NDA of the country of multiplication
  • the company sending the seed
  • the company conducting multiplication

The NDA of the country of registration is responsible for:

  • verifying the identity and certification status of the seed lot to be multiplied
    • this includes reviewing the tags of the seed being exported for multiplication
  • determining if more than one generation of increase should be permitted
  • determining the maximum number of multiplication cycles allowed
    • for OECD Basic category only one generation is permitted, but for OECD Pre-Basic category multiple generations are permitted as specified by the breeder

The NDA of the country of multiplication is responsible for:

  • arranging the crop inspection at the appropriate growth stage

The company sending seed for multiplication is responsible for:

  • notifying the NDA of country of registration the details of the proposed multiplication
  • arrange for necessary VV samples to be taken before shipping
    • such as sample for the purposes of certification

Form 300 crops

All crop kinds listed in Schedule III of the Seeds Regulations are subject to variety registration. For example, varieties of the following must be registered with us before pedigreed seed can be certified:

  • wheat
  • canola
  • oilseed soybeans

For crop kinds that are exempt from Schedule III variety registration requirements, the CSGA uses Form 300, Application for Variety Certification Eligibility, to determine whether a variety is eligible for seed crop certification. Examples of crop kinds subject to the Form 300 process include corn and hemp. Form 300 varieties require a Description of Variety (DOV) and a Reference Control sample to be submitted for post-control testing.

For the purposes of this document, varieties registered with us and varieties processed through CSGA's Form 300 are considered to be equivalent. Both require a DOV and a Reference Control sample to support variety verification through post-control testing.

Application process

Companies seeking an MA must submit a completed CFIA form 5747: Application for Multiplication Agreement for Varietal Certification of Seed Multiplied Abroad to us. Detailed instructions to complete the form are provided in Instructions to complete Form 5747: Application for Multiplication Agreement for Varietal Certification of Seed Multiplied Abroad.

Application deadlines

  • November 15 for all crop kinds except soybeans
  • November 30 for soybeans

If the variety is not registered in Canada, a description of the variety must be submitted with the application. Any questions regarding MAs should be sent to:
cfia.paso-bpdpm.acia@inspection.gc.ca

Any questions regarding import and export of seed should be sent to the CFIA's Seed Section:
seedsemence@inspection.gc.ca

Companies must submit an application package to us to obtain an MA which includes:

  • completed application base form (form 5747)
  • signed version of form 5747
  • scans or photos of seed tags for the seed lot being exported
  • Description of Variety (DOV)
    • for hybrids parental lines
    • unregistered varieties
  • other documents if required in unusual circumstances
    • for example, letters from breeders

For seed of registered varieties and Form 300 varieties returning to Canada, a post-harvest VV seed sample must be submitted for each MA. A completed VV Sample Submission form must accompany each VV sample. A RC sample is not needed, as it should have been submitted when the variety was initially registered with us.

The information provided on the CFIA 5747 application form is used by us to generate a unique MA code for each MA. The MA code is located at the top of the signed agreement in the Agreement Code box (figure 1). This code is used by the SSU to link documents and submitted samples together. It is also used for traceability throughout the multiplication process.

Figure 1. Shows the upper section of a sample bilingual CFIA varietal certification multiplication agreement for seed multiplied abroad. The Multiplication Agreement shows variety registration and certification information, including:

  • the registered variety "Bumblebee"
  • seed pedigree classifications
  • Canadian and foreign contracting firms
  • the agreement code 25-EXA-CAN-Bumblebee-0.5a highlighted with an oval in the upper-right corner

This code should be labelled on all seed samples for traceability.

seed samples for traceability
Long description text

Varietal Certification Multiplication Agreement for Seed Multiplied Abroad

Agreement Code (CFIA), Full name of Registered Variety, Purpose, Experimental Number, Genus and Species, Pedigreed status of seed for planting, Pedigreed status of seed to be harvested, Canadian Contracting Firm, Foreign Contracting Firm, Country of multiplication, Country of destination after multiplication

Variety description requirements

A DOV is required for crop inspection in the country of multiplication and for VV testing in Canada. If the variety is registered in Canada or a Form 300 variety, a DOV doesn't need to be re-submitted because we or the Canadian Seed Growers' Association (CSGA) will already have it. If the variety is not registered in Canada, a DOV must be submitted.

Information included in an MA

The completed MA is signed by a representative from the NDA of the country of origin. In Canada, CFIA's Seed Section is responsible for providing the foreign NDA with information on:

  • the identity
  • pedigreed status
  • quantity of the seed to be planted
  • pedigreed status of the progeny
  • field size
  • number of harvest years permitted

Information from the completed MA is used to cross reference and track the submission of required VV samples.

Issuance of MA

The NDA of the country of seed origin issues the MA. For seed multiplied abroad, Canada submits a package to the foreign NDA. The package is emailed to:

  • the relevant NDA
  • applicant
  • foreign contracting firm
  • CSGA

It must include:

  • application signed by the applicant
  • agreement signed by us
  • DOV(s)
  • scans of seed tags
  • VV Sample Submission form

Exporting seed for multiplication abroad

Seed exported from Canada for multiplication abroad must comply with applicable export requirements. Seed must be:

  • sealed
  • tagged
  • labelled

The seed must also meet the import requirements of the importing country including any phytosanitary requirements. Copies or photos must be taken of the seed tags prior to being exported and submitted to us as part of the application package.

Submission of VV and RC samples

Companies with MAs must submit VV samples for seed lots of registered Canadian varieties or Form 300 varieties produced in other jurisdictions over the Canadian winter and imported into Canada for sale or for further multiplication. VV samples for experimental lines are not required.

All seed that is certified for export pursuant to the OECD Seed Schemes must be sampled at the time of export for VV testing by us. This includes Canadian seed exported for multiplication in a foreign country and foreign seed multiplied in Canada where the progeny is exported to the originating country (CFIA QSP 152.1).

RC sample requirements

We maintain RC samples of varieties registered in Canada which are used as the varietal standard. RC samples are typically breeder status or OECD Pre-Basic status seed, Select or Foundation seed may be acceptable provided it is recognized by the CSGA and the breeder. New RC samples are not required for varieties that are already registered in Canada.

Figure 2. Multiplication Agreement sample submission process.
Multiplication Agreement sample submission
Long Description text

The flowchart outlines the sample submission requirements for varieties multiplied outside Canada and returning to Canada under a Multiplication Agreement (MA). After a client submits Form 5747 and the application 5747 is received, the MA is created and signed. A Reference Control (RC) sample would have been submitted when the variety was initially registered in Canada. When seed is multiplied abroad, companies must determine if a VV sample is required for seed returning to Canada. For registered varieties and Form 300 varieties, one Verification Variety (VV) sample must be submitted for each MA along with a VV Sample Submission form. The VV sample is then grown alongside the RC sample for comparison. If no VV sample is provided for registered Canadian varieties, the company is notified by letter. If the variety is not registered when returning to Canada, no VV sample submission is required.

VV sample requirements

One VV sample must be submitted for every Canadian registered variety or Form 300 variety in each MA to ensure that the variety being multiplied can be accurately verified against its reference standard.

Sample submission deadline

All VV samples must be submitted by May 15 of the foreign harvest year. Adherence to this deadline is essential to allow sufficient time for seeding and testing over the summer. If samples arrive late, they will have to be tested in the following year.

For perennial crops, 1 VV sample is required for each year of harvest even when the same MA remains in effect over multiple growing seasons. This ensures year to year variation is monitored and documented.

Sample size requirements for VV samples

To ensure adequate material is available for testing and verification, VV samples must meet the following minimum size requirements:

  • corn, pea, soybean or wheat: 500 g
  • canola: 100 g

For all other crop kinds, sample size requirements can be found in the CFIA Specific Work Instructions 132.1.1 – Appendix III. This document is available upon request from seedsemence@inspection.gc.ca. Submitting samples that do not meet the required minimum size may result in the need for resubmission.

Sample handling

Proper handling of VV samples is essential to preserve sample integrity and ensure accurate testing results. Samples must be securely sealed to prevent contamination and must be clearly labelled with required identification information. Samples are to be untreated. The only exception is VV canola samples which should be treated but RC canola samples must be untreated.

Samples are to be submitted in mesh or cloth bags, not plastic bags, to allow proper air circulation and prevent moisture buildup. Each sample submission must include a completed Variety Verification Sample Submission form. This form must accompany the sample at the time of submission and contain accurate and complete information to support processing and traceability.

Failure to follow these handling requirements may compromise sample quality and could result in rejection and requests for replacement samples.

Samples are to be shipped to:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency – Seed Science Unit
3851 Fallowfield Road
Ottawa, ON K2J 4S1

Labelling requirements for VV samples

In terms of VV samples, accurate and complete labelling is essential to ensure:

  • traceability
  • proper identification
  • efficient processing

Each sample must be clearly labelled and include all required information. Incomplete or unclear labelling may result in:

  • delays
  • misidentification
  • rejection of the sample

Each VV sample must include the following required information:

  • Multiplication Agreement code
  • company or individual submitting the sample
  • lot number
  • variety name
  • species
  • common name
  • copy of tags, labels, etc. to be attached
  • crop certificate number
  • date sample submitted

The MA code is the most important piece of information to label on samples as it links all MA paperwork to the sample and enables SSU to ensure traceability. Failure to include any of the required elements may result in processing delays or a request for resubmission.

There are some methods to identify what certifying agency provided the crop certificate number. If the number contains an RCH at the beginning, for example, RCH-26-R-34567-C1, this means the Ministerio de Agricultura Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero División Semillas (SAG) assigned the crop certificate number. If the final certification happens in Canada, the crop certificate number will have the year of harvest at the beginning which is assigned by the Canadian Seed Grower Association. For example, a crop harvested in 2026 will have crop certificate number 26-87654-01. A crop certificate number from CSGA is common for hybrid canola production.

Submission form requirement

A completed Variety Verification Sample Submission form must accompany each VV sample to link it to the applicable MA. The form provides information required by the SSU to associate samples with corresponding MAs and maintain traceability throughout testing. Samples that are not labelled properly and don't have properly completed sample submission forms causes confusion and could lead to sample misidentification.

Responsibility for submitting samples

VV samples of seed returning to Canada following multiplication abroad are drawn by the Canadian company responsible for the multiplication and submitted directly to us. Reference samples are submitted by the Canadian or foreign variety developer at our request.

Canadian import requirements for seed multiplied abroad

The progeny seed resulting from the multiplication abroad is subject to the same import conditions as any other seed. This may include:

  • import permits
  • a Report of Analysis for purity and germination testing
  • phytosanitary testing
  • any additional certification requirements such as hybridity testing

Requirements vary depending on the:

  • crop kind
  • seed origin
  • other criteria

For specific requirements, see the ABCs of Seed Importation into Canada.

Certification of hybrid canola certified after multiplication abroad

Hybrid canola seed sold in Canada is subject to hybridity testing and erucic acid testing prior to final certification by the CSGA. Testing may be conducted either in the foreign country of multiplication or in Canada.

Multiplication of foreign seed in Canada

Canada does not require MAs for foreign seed multiplied in Canada. However, foreign NDAs may notify us of multiplication activities as a courtesy. When notified, our Seed Section informs CSGA and the local CFIA office responsible for inspection activities. The seed crop is inspected by us and a crop certificate is issued by the CSGA as with any other seed crop.

Foreign seed multiplied in Canada may be sold in Canada if it meets the requirements of the Seeds Regulations. If the seed is of a crop kind subject to variety registration in Canada and the variety is not registered in Canada, the seed cannot be sold in Canada. Its progeny also cannot be sold in Canada. Exceptions are provided under subsection 5(4) of the Seeds Regulations, including exemptions for research, seeding by the importer and pre-registration trials. The seed may not be sold as common seed or used in seed mixtures or blends, whether the seed is named as to variety.

Regulatory requirements in Canada

An MA is not required by Canadian regulations. Foreign pedigreed seed may be multiplied in Canada without an MA or notifying us. However, an MA is required for Canadian seed multiplied in Chile or Australia because the Chilean and Australian governments require it.

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