The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission is joining forces with Partners in Innovation, a coalition of farmer and industry organizations, bringing the active coalition’s partnership total to 20.

“The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission is pleased to become a member of Partners in Innovation, supporting the important work of encouraging the Canadian government to amend the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act to be compliant with the UPOV ’91 convention,” says APG Chair Richard Krikke. “Industry innovation and additional investment that may result from the amendments to the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act will make our sector stronger.”

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food is expected to review Bill C-18: the Agricultural Growth Act and the proposed amendments to Canada’s Plant Breeders’ Rights within the legislation as soon as Parliament resumes in September.

An important part of a Canadian agriculture innovation agenda are the changes to Plant Breeders’ Rights within Bill C-18, which will bring Canada’s outdated legislation into compliance with an international convention, the Union for the Protection of New Plant Varieties (UPOV ’91). These changes will give both private and public plant breeders the confidence and ability to invest in research for new and improved varieties needed by farmers. Expanded protection for plant breeders, will promote further investment in research and innovation, meaning more and better crop varieties for farmers; it will be a big boost for the Canadian agriculture industry and the broader economy.

The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission represents over 5,000 growers of field pea, dry bean, lentil, chickpea, faba bean and soybean in Alberta. Their vision is to have Alberta pulses recognized by consumers as environmentally friendly, healthy, nutritious, and recognized by all producers as being an essential element in a sustainable cropping system.

Partners in Innovation is a coalition of farmer, industry and value chain organizations bringing together 20 organizations representing the vast majority of farmers and accounting for most of Canada’s crop production acres; including grains, oilseeds, pulse crops, vegetables and fruit, potatoes and ornamentals. The members of Partners in Innovation support amendments to Plant Breeders’ Rights which are critical to the ability of our farmers and our agricultural industry to compete in the global market and to make a contribution to the effort to feed, fuel and clothe a rapidly growing world population.