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Privatization of seed crop inspection a bad idea, says NFU

Sept. 24, 2013 - The National Farmers Union (NFU) says the federal government's plan to privatize seed field crop inspection will not be good for farmers.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) plans to allow seed companies to inspect seed crops of growers those same companies have contracted, instead of it being done by an impartial and independent third party.

The group says privatization will increase inspection costs for seed growers as well as introduce conflicts of interest, inefficiencies, unfairness and discrimination.

It says the public service now provided by the CFIA will maximize benefits to a few global agribusiness corporations.

The NFU says privatization will severely undermine, if not destroy, the integrity of Canada's pedigreed seed system.

September 24, 2013  By The Canadian Press