News Plant Breeding
Keynote speaker will discuss gene editing

Ian Affleck, keynote speaker at the 2025 Top Crop Summit, will discuss gene editing this year in Saskatoon, Sask. In his keynote, Affleck will explore the promise of gene editing and the intersection of regulation, public trust and market dynamics on the future of this game-changing technology.

“Gene editing is poised to play a major role in plant breeding and agricultural improvement in the coming years. Canada has recently developed world-leading regulatory guidance to enable this technology, and many parts of the world have also updated their regulatory frameworks or are in the process,” says the session summary.

Ian Affleck is the Vice President of Plant Biotechnology at CropLife Canada, where he works with agricultural stakeholders and governments on policies and regulations related to plant biotechnology. With 10 years of experience at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ian is a seasoned expert in the regulation of novel plants and new crop varieties. Ian Affleck grew up on a potato farm and went on to shape the policies behind cutting-edge plant biotechnology. Now, he’s ready to share how gene editing will change agriculture forever.

The Top Crop Summit, happening February 25-26 at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon, is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Attendees will not only learn about gene editing, but there will be a long lineup of speakers presenting on practical applications from the latest research in Canadian agriculture.

Register to attend today!