New messages for 2025
Sampling during seed crop inspections
Licensed seed crop inspectors must submit a plant sample to the CFIA when required as part of the inspection procedures. For example, samples are required to verify a description of variety (DOV) when field observations differ from the DOV, or if the inspector is unsure whether a plant is a variant, off-type or normal plant. These samples are essential to ensure the integrity of the certification process.
General messages
Plot production samples (form 50)
Respect the quantity and quality requirements, as well as the February 15 annual deadline, for the submission of samples and of Canadian Seed Growers' Association's (CGSA) Form 50: Report on plot production. If they are not received by the deadline, there is a risk that your samples may not be tested that year and any potential issues may not be identified.
Authorized seed crop inspections services
Authorized seed crop inspections services:
- may request access to fields in order to train licensed seed crop inspectors
- are delivering practical training to inspectors for seed crops of section 2 and 3 of Circular 6 in 2025
Breeder plots
CFIA can be selected as the inspection service only if the plots are not able to be inspected under the breeder program and there are no authorized seed crop inspections Services available to conduct the inspection.
GPS coordinates
If you are using GPS coordinates, the data for the entry of the field and the center of the field will both be required.
Maps are required for all fields
Maps are required for all fields and must include easily recognizable landmarks, adjacent crops and buildings, legal land descriptions and/or legal physical addresses and distance measurements. Plots, staked plots and plots within seed crop fields require detailed maps.
CFIA will not complete seed crop inspection when field maps are not available in CSGA's SeedCert.
Submit applications by the Canadian Seed Growers' Association's deadline
Inspection requests received after the deadline may cause scheduling challenges for service providers. Roguing of seed fields and plots is expected to be completed before the time of inspection.
Seed tags
When required by CSGA, the seed grower is responsible to submit copies of pedigreed seed tags of the parent seed planted with their application.
Pesticide use must be communicated
Provide your seed crop inspector with information about pesticide application occurring at inspection time.
CFIA oversight of seed crop inspection
CFIA will be check inspecting a percentage of all fields inspected by licenced seed crop inspectors. You may see a CFIA official in your seed field before or after an inspection. If non-conformance(s) are assessed by the CFIA official inspector, the authorized seed crop inspections services may:
- be asked to re-inspect the field, and
- submit a modified report of seed crop inspection to the CSGA
Producers will receive the report in the SeedCert application.
CFIA availability for seed crop inspection
- Seed crops other than CSGA's Circular 6 section 2, 3 and 8 crop types (cereals, pulses and certified hybrid corn)
- Select and foundation plots of all crop kinds
- Seed crops of CSGA's Circular 6 section 2, 3 and 8 crop types only in the rare event that a grower has been refused by all the authorized seed crop inspections services in their region and if CFIA resources permit
- Hybrid cereal crops and feminized hemp
- Seed destined for marketing in the EU as basic or pre-basic seed
- Crop types in Circular 6, for which seed crop inspection training has not been provided to licensed seed crop inspectors
Currently, when seed fields are inspected by CFIA official inspectors, CSGA applies an assessment to the seed grower. This process for assessment of CFIA direct inspections and cost will change for 2025. Additional information will be communicated prior to the 2025 seed crop inspection season.
How to contact us or receive notifications
Sign up for our notification service to receive updates on changes in the seed program.
For more information, contact your local CFIA office or the CFIA's Seed Section at SeedSemence@inspection.gc.ca.
Seed growers wishing information on whether their crop meets CSGA requirements must either check the status of their crops through SeedCert or contact CSGA directly.