Syngenta Seeds • Elite genetics is the heart of every productive crop. How the crop stands. How it matures. How it resists pests. How it uses nutrients and moisture and how it yields. These strengths are built into the genes of the crop through decades of plant breeding and development. Nobody has better genetic resources and plant breeding expertise than Syngenta -http://www.syngenta.com/country/ca/en/syngenta-in- canada/our-canadian-businesses/pages/seeds.aspx • Syngenta is recognized for innovation and leadership in both the corn and soybean market and was the first to launch Bt corn and the soybean Aphid Management System. Agrisure Viptera™ is the latest addition to the Agrisure® Brand family. This broad-spectrum lepidopteran trait offers growers increased yields with unprecedented corn earworm, black cutworm, Western bean cutworm and stalk borer control. http://www.syngenta.com/country/ca/en/syngenta-in-canada/our-canadian-businesses/pages/seeds.aspx Monsanto • Cotton: Today, cotton growers are benefiting from second-generation and stacked trait technologies, which provide more levels of protection. Genuity® Bollgard II® with Roundup Ready® Flex represents Monsanto's newest wave of innovation with two second-generation traits stacked into one seed. What are the facts? • What are the genetic issues facing the seed industry? Introduction to Genetic Issues Outline • PNT / GMO / LMO • Organic seed • GURTs • PBR and IP • Low level presence • Germplasm Preservation / Seed Banks PNT PNT = Plant Novel Trait Plants with novel traits may be produced by conventional breeding, mutagenesis or recombinant DNA techniques. GMO / LMO • GMO = Genetically Modified Organism • LMO = Living Modified Organism Any living organism that possesses a novel combination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology. Canada regulates the novel product Product vs. Process Plants in Canada are regulated on the basis of the novel traits expressed and not on the basis of the method used to introduce the traits. CFIA Regulation Regulatory Approval Process for Novel Products Import or Domestic Import application evaluation Contained (lab / greenhouse) Confined Field Testing assessment (CFIA) Confined (research trials / reproductive isolation) Environmental Assessment (CFIA) Unconfined Novel Food/Feed Assessment (reduced or no reproductive isolation) (HC / CFIA) Commercialization (variety regulation, food/feed use) Industry Decision ISF Position • International harmonization of Food and Feed safety assessments based on OECD • Once approved, commercialization of plant varieties containing novel trait should be submitted to same regulations • Once determined safe, plants containing novel trait(s) should be usable in further breeding and all progeny covered by original commercialization approval ISF Position • If “equivalent” to other plant products in commerce, no further scientific concerns • If not “equivalent”, it should be labeled (indicating novel characteristic/property that is different) Organic Seed – Co-existence • Isolation Effectiveness in Canola Seed Production – AAFC study • CSGA and CFIA research confirms efficacy of isolation distances for canola • Earlier Supreme Court decision against class action damage claim Not enough science and co-operation GURT = Genetic Use Restriction Technologies 2 Types: –V-GURT = variety specific (“Terminator” genes) –T-GURT = trait specific “Terminators” that we accept V-GURT’s – “Terminator” genes • Some examples that you may not think of: –Seedless watermelon –Bananas –F1 corn hybrids T- GURT’s • Restrictive technologies at the trait level • Seed is fertile but the genetic enhancement requires an activator • Activator may be an applied treatment or an environmental stress Potential Advantages of GURT’s Reduce volunteer control costs for seed growers T-GURT’s may increase productivity, quality and profit T-GURT’s would reduce the “cost” of desirable traits (such as drought resistance) on plants Protect genetic investment and stimulate breeding Potential Disadvantages of GURT’s ˟ Cannot save seed with v-GURT ˟ With t-GURT’s need to purchase new seed or the activator ˟ Environmental containment ˟ Activators will need to be regulated as pesticides or PGR’s Potential Disadvantages of GURT’s ˟ GURT’s are PNT’s ˟ Increased corporate concentration and private sector domination ˟ Increased costs to breeders to access traits? Present Status • No field trials or commercial applications have taken place anywhere in the world • No applications for environmental release of plants with GURT traits in Canada, as yet What is PBR? • Plant Breeders' Rights (PBR) are a form of intellectual property rights • Owner obtains the exclusive rights to produce for sale, and to sell, reproductive material of the variety. Restrictions to the Holders' Rights • Research Exemption: Protected varieties may be used for breeding and developing new plant varieties • Farmers' Privilege: Farmers may save and plant their own seed Why PBR – 1990 in Canada? • To stimulate plant breeding • To provide Canadian producers better access to foreign varieties • To facilitate the protection of Canadian varieties in other countries. Identity Preserved Systems • Market driven • CSGA is often involved • Certified seed key • Traceability – assurance Low Level Presence (Canada) • LLP is the unintended presence, at low levels, of unauthorized GM crops in imported food or feed where the GM crop is authorized in one or more countries but not in Canada 0.1% - 0.2% Canadian Rationale (proposed) • Given that the GM crop has been approved for human consumption in another country that follows the same Codex safety assessment guidelines as Canada, neither the 0.1% nor the 0.2% LLP exposure level is considered likely to pose a risk. 0.1% - 0.2% Canadian Rationale (proposed) • the detection of 0.1% GM material in grain aligns with the capabilities of detection technologies, and is consistent with published, international GM detection methodologies. (but is still a challenge) EU Policy • Although a considerable number of genetically modified plants (GMPs) are already imported into the EU and may be used in foodstuffs and animal feed according to European legal provisions, there is zero tolerance in the EU in relation to traces of GMPs that are permitted in other countries, but not in the EU. EU • Even the slightest evidence of a GMP in foodstuffs, animal feed or seeds will lead to the withdrawal of the affected product batches from circulation. This constitutes an economic risk for breeders, dealers and farmers in all economies. Germplasm Preservation / Seed Banks Seed is the basis for agriculture….. Plants are the basis of ecosystems in which we live. Germplasm Preservation / Seed Banks Through the saving of seeds we can save plant species and in turn save ourselves Germplasm Preservation Estimated 100,000 plant species at risk of extinction = Crisis Point Losses a direct result of: Climate change Conditions contributed to by increasing populations and Habitat loss population spread Invasive alien species Over exploitation Germplasm Preservation / Seed Banks • Seed banks store samples of seed varieties of species produced around the world • Germplasm study assists in development of new varieties aimed at increased production and production challenges • Require routine re-planting and harvest depending on species Germplasm Preservation / Seed Banks • Millenium Seed Bank Project (MSBP) http://www.kew.org/msbp/intro/index.htm Global initiative to secure the world’s seed (wild and domestic) Aim: 25% of world plant species by 2020 10% achieved by 2012 Global Seed Bank • http://www.croptrust.org/main/ • http://www.croptrust.org/content/svalbard- global-seed-vault – Svalbard Global Seed Vault • Permanent protection for the world’s food crops Commitment to Seed Banks • Twelve Russian scientists chose to starve to death rather than consume the seeds and plants under their care during the siege of Leningrad in World War II. • Recently that seed bank is again under threat from real estate development. Egyptian Deserts Gene Bank • Specializes in desert plants, including medicinal plants and fruit trees • Not replicated elsewhere • Centre of Excellence for the region by Biodiversity International in 2009 • Badly damaged by looters, equipment was stolen and the cooling system damaged. Issues – which is most important? • PNT / GMO / LMO • Organic seed • GURTs • PBR and IP • Germplasm Preservation / Seed Banks .