The Canadian Seed Growers Association (CSGA) offers a national seed crop certification program for the benefit of Canadian agriculture. CSGA is designated under the Seed Act and, by regulation, is required to certify the varietal identity and purity of seed crops in Canada, except for seed potatoes.

Certification requirements for pedigreed seed crop production are set forth in the CSGA's Canadian Regulations and Procedures for the Production of Pedigreed Seed Crops, commonly known as Circular 6, and are reviewed annually as part of the CSGA Standards Development Framework.

CSGA is committed to consulting with stakeholders before implementing any revisions. Supported by eight crop-specific working groups, the Regulatory Services Committee reviews proposed changes and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval prior to implementation.

Therefore, the CSGA periodically reviews the Canadian Regulations and Procedures for the Production of Pedigreed Seed Crops (Circular 6), which establishes the requirements that a seed producer and seed crop must meet to obtain certification.

These reviews ensure that the CSGA's certification requirements and standards continue to meet the needs of stakeholders, reflect the latest science and technology, and are harmonized with our international trading partners. The CSGA is committed to implementing transparent and fit-for-purpose standards review processes. These standards provide traceability and high levels of varietal purity so that Canadian producers can reap the benefits of improved varieties.

Thus, the CSGA has opened the proposed revisions to the isolation requirements for dioecious and monoecious industrial hemp seed crops producing seeds with Foundation, Registered, and Certified status, as described in Sections 10 and 11 of Circular 6, for consultation by all members of the seed value chain.

The consultation focuses on the minimum isolation distances required between inspected hemp seed crops and other hemp crops. The proposed revisions seek to simplify and optimize the current requirements while maintaining the integrity of the certification system. A consultation will remain open until November 3, 2025.