Canola Council of Canada - Setting Sail for “Constraints to Growing Canola Markets” L.H. Hepworth CropLife Canada Halifax, July 2005

The opportunity through innovation…. ….the coming transformation of agriculture.

Starch Carbo- hydrates Oil Indus- trial Fresh Food Pro- teins Pharma Biode- gradable Plastics Fibers Others Crop Production (genetics & chemicals) ~ 40 billion € Chemical Crop Protection 25 billion € Renewable Materials > 500 billion € Insecticides Fungicides Herbicides Others Plant Biotechnology Plant Breeding Chemical Crop Protection <1995 > 2015 value Emergence of a Bio-Economy A new strategic direction Plant Science within a changing industry environment Crop Protection Plant Biotechnology

New markets – examples New markets Value capturing Crop protection and/or seeds Input traits Grower/ distributor Customer group Professional/ industrial Consumer Output traits (GM, non-GM) Fresh produce Health, dietary components Animal feed Bio-fuels Home & garden products Allergen control Herbicide tolerant turf Higher value crops Cereals with reduced mycotoxins Current agri markets Bt corn HT canola HT soya Conven- tional agri business Professional products

Theme for Parliamentary and Legislative receptions Co-hosted with Canola Council, Alberta Canola Producers Commission and others “Grow Canola” –identified as a platform for growth in plant biotech –preferred position on crop protection products

While we see opportunity and solutions to societal problems through innovation …. … some in the public see…

Globe and Mail November 27, 2003

Constraints to capturing the opportunity for Canada and Canola Regulatory and public acceptance and infrastructure constraints to the adoption of plant science innovation Public acceptance –Industry must constantly demonstrate that they are good stewards –Ensure first class regulatory system that enjoys the public’s confidence – domestic and global –Communicate track record of success on both counts

Putting stewardshipfirst™ Pro-active industry approach to protecting the environment and public health over and above (or instead of) what government requires Self-regulatory initiatives Multi-stakeholder, life-cycle approach “walk the talk” Canadian industry a world leader e.gs. empty pesticide container management, novel trait confined field trial management

Bio-stewardship 1.Novel trait confined field trial training programs 300 researchers – industry, university, govt Plots, greenhouse, plant molecular farming CFIA reports improved compliance 2.Transparency New submission on CFIA website Lists what studies completed 60 day comment period

Bio-stewardship cont’d 3.LMO database indicating commercial status of approved events in Canada 4.Managing HT Volunteers Best Management Practices Guide – 60,000 Workshops Annual report – CCC a contributor

Regulatory Constraints Lack of harmonization despite some progress –Canada/U.S.A./OECD –Canada/provinces/municipalities –getting worse –Across fed. government departments/agencies –Failure of CODEX e.gs. MRL’s, AP –Minor use pesticides Non science-based regulation (junk science) –Regulating in areas beyond environment and public health/safety –E.gs.: RIONAP/4 th hurdle (leave to trade), GMO food labelling –Public policy directed at areas of no/low/perceived risk rather than “real” risk

Regulatory constraints cont’d Regulatory vacuum e.g. nutraceuticals, functional food claims Failure to defend rigorous regulatory system Failure on risk communication by both government and industry –Third leg of the stool –Do a good job on risk assessment and risk management –Lousy job on risk communication –Lousy job on communicating about risk in and understandable, non-condescending way

What’s needed to Grow Canada 1.Smart Regulation by government Protecting and “enabling” v. “disabling” regulation e.gs. health claims, bio-fuel, minor/micro use pesticides Dismantle or modernize disabling/outdated regulatory agencies and infrastructure Harmonization Better job at defending regulatory system and communicating about risk Public policy directed at areas of “real” risk not no/low/perceived risk Maintaining momentum

From government cont’d 2. CODEX has to be more timely in their decision making e.gs. MRL’s, GMO tolerances 3.Implement Agriculture Policy Framework High degree of alignment with pillars –Food safety/env sustainability with stewardshipfirst –Science and innovation –Needs marketing savvy!! 4. Truly make innovation/productivity a priority, not just lip service

What’s Needed to Grow Canada From industry value chain Better at communicating about benefits and advantages to complement transparency on risk Trade to resolve RIONAP/market access – BMPs? More stewardship (self regulation) –agreement on/implementation of - HACCP/ISO 22000, SQF, EurepGAP, Environmental Farm Plans etc. Further development and implementation of identity preservation/traceback system Win:win:win financial return scenarios between value chain participants

What’s need to Grow Canada cont’d Finally - Leadership At the political level At the senior government officials’ level At industry level …. To chart and implement the vision