This article appeared in the Fall 2014 issue of Pulse Crop News.

The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission has joined 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 be 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,” said 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.”

As Pulse Crop News went to press, Bill C-18: the Agricultural Growth Act, which proposes UPOV ’91 amendments to the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act, had finished second reading and will undergo detailed examination by the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food this fall. If passed, the amended legislation could come into force as early as this Christmas.

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agriculture innovation agenda are the changes to Plant Breeders’ Rights within Bill C-18, which will bring Canada’s outdated legislation into compliance with an international convention, the Union for the Protection of New Plant Varieties (UPOV ’91).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 new improved seed 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, and be a big boost for the Canadian agriculture industry and the broader economy.

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.