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Information for seed growers - Requirements for CFIA seed crop inspections 2024

New messages for 2024

Referee inspections

If you want to challenge the classification or identification of off-type plants, other seed crop impurities or prohibited noxious weeds, you can request a re-inspection from the CFIA. Forward a request through the Canadian Seed Growers' Association (CGSA) SeedCert application to the CFIA for a complaint/referee inspection.

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 CGSA's Form 50: Report on plot production – PDF (172 kb). 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 (ASCIS)

ASCIS may request access to fields in order to train licensed seed crop inspectors (LSCI). ASCIS is delivering practical training to LSCI for seed crops of section 2 and 3 of Circular 6 in 2024.

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 ASCIS 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 CSGA 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 (LSCI). You may see a CFIA official in your seed field before or after an inspection by a LSCI. If non-conformance(s) are assessed by the CFIA official inspector, the ASCIS may be asked to re-inspect the field and submit a modified report of seed crop inspection to the CSGA, which you will receive via SeedCert.

CFIA availability for seed crop inspection

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 could change for 2025.

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.

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