Introduction
Seed imported into or offered for sale in Canada must meet the quality standards established in the Seeds Regulations (the regulations). The regulations specify:
- how the seed is sampled
- how it is tested
- who is qualified to conduct the sampling and testing to determine if the seed meets those standards
The sampling and testing methods established by the regulations are minimum requirements. Seed sampled and tested by more rigorous methods will also satisfy the conditions in the regulations.
Background
With some exceptions, to apply a Canada pedigreed grade name (for example, Canada Certified No. 1) to a seed lot, the seed must be pedigreed seed of a kind listed in Schedule I to the regulations (the Grade Tables). The grading decision must be based on purity and germination results obtained from an officially recognized test.
An officially recognized testis defined in the regulations (subsection 2(2)) as a test that is conducted:
- on an officially recognized sample
- according to recognized standard methods
- by an officially recognized laboratory or, in the case of the purity examination for certain kinds, an accredited grader
For all other seed lots, the regulations provide alternatives to the requirement for an officially recognized test. This includes the followings:
- corn
- non-pedigreed seed
- imported seed
- seed of kinds not listed in the Grade Tables
Seed sampling methods
An officially recognized sample, obtained by methods set out in the regulations, is required for an officially recognized test and subsequent grading of pedigreed seed of the kinds in the Grade Tables. For other seed, the regulations stipulate that the sample must be drawn by a recognized standard method.
Officially recognized sample
An officially recognized sample is defined in the regulations (subsection 2(2)) as a sample that has been:
- drawn by or under the supervision of a licensed sampler and prepared by a licensed sampler according to recognized standard methods
- drawn and prepared according to recognized standard methods by an individual accredited to do so by:
- a government body or an officially recognized body with the authority to regulate import, export or marketing of seed
- an official certifying agency (for example, a member of the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA))
- a seed testing laboratory accredited by the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) if the sample is to be tested by the accrediting laboratory or by another ISTA laboratory
Recognized standard method – Seed sampling
All seed must be sampled according to a recognized standard method. However, for the following, there are no requirements for the individual drawing the sample to be accredited or licensed:
- corn seed
- non-pedigreed seed
- seed of kinds not listed in the grade tables
A recognized standard method for seed sampling is defined in the regulations (subsection 2(2)) as the:
- Canadian Methods and Procedures for Testing Seed – Available upon request or at the Seed Canada website which references the sampling procedures described in the CFIA's Specific Work Instruction 132.1.1
- AOSA rules for testing seeds published by the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA), which references the sampling procedures described by the Association of American Seed Control Officials (AASCO)
- International Rules for Seed Testing published by ISTA which includes a chapter with procedures for sampling seed
Recognized standard method – Seed testing
All seed must be tested by a recognized standard method. However, the qualifications of thelaboratory or individual conducting the testing varies depending on the species, pedigreed status and purpose of the test. A recognized standard method for seed testing is defined in the regulations (subsection 2(2)) as the:
- Canadian Methods and Procedures for Testing Seed
- AOSA Rules for Testing Seeds published by AOSA
- International Rules for Seed Testing published by ISTA
Seed testing laboratories
Seed to be graded with a Canada pedigreed grade name (paragraph 11(1)(a) of the regulations)
Pedigreed seed of the crop kinds listed in the Grade Tables, intended to be graded with a Canada pedigreed grade name, must be tested by an officially recognized laboratory, designated by the Minister as an accredited laboratory. Acting on behalf of the Minister, the CFIA accredits Canadian laboratories and officially recognizes a number of laboratories in the U.S. For kinds in Grade Tables I to VI and XVIII, the purity examination (but not the germination test) may be conducted by an accredited grader.
Corn and non-pedigreed seed of kinds in Grade Tables VII to XV (paragraph 11(1)(b) of the regulations)
Corn to be graded with a Canada pedigreed grade name and non-pedigreed seed of the kinds listed in Grade Tables VII to XV must be tested by a recognized standard method by:
- an officially recognized laboratory
- for purity examination of the kinds listed in Grade Tables I to VI and XVIII, an accredited grader (germination testing must be conducted by a seed testing laboratory that meets the qualifications described in this section)
- a seed testing laboratory operating under the supervision of a Senior or Associate member of the Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada (CSAAC)
- a seed testing laboratory operating under the supervision of a Registered Seed Technologist (RST) registered by the Society of Commercial Seed Technologists (SCST)
- a seed testing laboratory operated by or under the authority of a national or state government of a foreign country
- a seed testing laboratory accredited by ISTA
All other seed (paragraph 11(1)(c) of the regulations)
For all other seed, including non-pedigreed seed and seed of species not listed in the Grade Tables, the test must be performed according to a recognized standard method. However, the regulations do not specify requirements for the qualifications for the laboratory or individual conducting the testing.
Sampling and testing imported seed
Import conformity assessment
Imported seed must meet minimum quality standards as per section 6 of the regulations. The sampling and testing requirements are the same as those for corn and non-pedigreed seed of crop kinds in Grade Tables VII to XII. The sampling must be using a recognized standard method. Testing must be conducted according to a recognized standard method by a laboratory that meets the requirements of paragraph 11(1)(b) of the regulations or in the case of the purity examination for crop kinds in Grade Tables I to VI and XVIII, an accredited grader.
Grading imported seed
Imported seed of crop kinds in the Grade Tables must be graded prior to sale in Canada. The grading decision must be based on the same sampling and testing requirements as those for domestic seed of that kind.
Recommendation for germination testing
The regulations do not specify an expiry date for germination test results. The CFIA recommends that the germination test be repeated prior to sale, especially for treated seed and seed carried over from a previous year. This helps verify that the germination of the seed still meets the labelled grade. Seed must be re-graded and re-labelled if the seed lot no longer meets the germination standard of the original labelled grade. See the Requirements related to germination standard.
Table 1 Minimum requirements for seed sampling and testing at-a-glance
The following table lists the minimum requirements for seed sampling and testing.
| Seed to be graded with a Canada pedigreed grade name, except corn | Corn to be graded with a Canada pedigreed grade name | Non-pedigreed seed – Grade Tables VII to XV | Non-pedigreed seed – Grade Tables I to VI and XVI to XXII | Kinds not in the Grade Tables | Conformity with minimum import standards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applicable regulations | 11(1)(a) | 11(1)(b) | 11(1)(b) | 11(1)(c ) | 11(1)(c) | 11(1)(b) and 40(2) |
| Officially Recognized TestTable Note 1 | Y | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check |
| Officially Recognized SampleTable Note 2 | Y | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check |
| Sampling – Recognized standard method | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Testing – Recognized standard method | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Qualifications of testing laboratory: | ||||||
|
Officially recognized LaboratoryTable Note 3
|
Y | Y | Y | Check | Check | Y |
|
Accredited grader (purity only Tables I – VI and XVIII)
|
Y | Y | N | Check | Check | Y |
|
Operated under a Senior or Associate Commercial seed analysts association of Canada member or a registered seed technologist registered by Society of commercial seed technologists
|
N | Y | Y | Check | Check | Y |
|
Operated or authorized by a national or state government of a foreign country
|
N | Y | Y | Check | Check | Y |
|
ISTA accredited
|
N | Y | Y | Check | Check | Y |
|
Not specified
|
– | – | – | Y | Y | – |
Y – Minimum requirement
Check – Not required but would meet minimum requirements
N – Not permitted
Contact
For more information contact: seedsemence@inspection.gc.ca