Canadian seed organizations release stewardship guide

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The Canadian Seed Growers' Association (CSGA) and the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) have partnered to prepare the The Guide to Treated Seed Stewardship, they announced on Monday.

The guide intends to help those who work with these seeds and to ensure that they are following applicable regulations and guidelines from a national, regional and local standpoint.

"Every seed planted needs to grow,” Dave Baute, president of the CSTA, said. “Treated seed provides targeted solutions that contribute to increased productivity and sustainable farm incomes. The seed sector is working hard to ensure seed technologies are used in an environmentally friendly way. We strongly advise those who handle, transport and use treated seed to implement the best management practices found in the Guide to Treated Seed Stewardship across their operations."

The guide also benefits individuals in that information is available to them when operational decisions need to be made regarding stewardship practices. A group of seed industry professionals helped to develop this guide, complementing the existing health and safety guide put forth in CropLife Canada's Agrichemical Warehousing Standards Association Accredited Seed Treatment Operations Standards.

"The release of this new Guide to Treated Seed Stewardship is another step forward in our industry’s stewardship initiatives," Executive Director of the CSGA Dale Adophe said. "It expands on the previous storage and handling guidelines to also encompass transportation, use and disposition. We encourage seed growers and commercial producers to familiarize themselves and adopt these important stewardship practices."