Through the collective efforts of our membership, the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) is committed to fostering an environment conducive to researching, developing, distributing, producing and trading seed and associated technologies; with the goal of bettering the choices and successes of our members and their customers.

Objectives

CSTA represents its members with stakeholders at the government and industry level. In addition, CSTA fosters the development of international markets, and works with industry and affiliated organizations in Canada and abroad to address issues of mutual concern.

In support of its mission, CSTA focusses on six key goals which are equally important to the future of the seed industry. These goals were established by the CSTA Board of Directors during its 2008 Strategic Planning session.

1. Fostering Innovation - It is imperative to find ways to maintain and increase innovation in Canada. CSTA works with partners in the value chain and with policy makers and regulators to find solutions that allow the funding, introduction and trade of innovations. This will allow the Canadian agri-food sector to attract people and investment into research and development and plant breeding for the benefit of whole value chain from the seed developer through to the farmer and end user.
2. Support for a Science Based Regulatory System - CSTA believes that Canada currently has a science-based regulatory system and decision making process that generally facilitates innovation. CSTA will pro-actively support the current scince based regime. As well, in many key areas, regulatory reform can improve the Canadian system. CSTA will continue to advocate for changes that allow regulators to focus on health and safety.
3. Increase the Use of Pedigreed Seed - CSTA realizes that many players in the marketplace do not yet have a complete familiarity with the valuable role that pedigreed seed plays in establishing seed quality, traceability and quality control processes, and n facilitating investment in innovation. CSTA will continue to actively communicate the value of pedigreed seed and its contribution to the success of the value chain.
4. Deliver What the End-User Wants - Today's consumers, and the processors and retailers who serve them, have specific requirements for quality and characteristics of food ingredients. The ability to deliver what the end-user wants is a key component of the success of the entire value chain, and it all starts with the seed. CSTA will continue to strive for a policy and regulatory environment that will enhance the ability to deliver what the end-user wants in order to capture opportunities for all of the links in the chain.
5. Improve Market Access and Understanding for the Trade of Seed - International issues are focal point for Association activities. In addition to ongoing work to represent Canadian seed interests in international fora such as the International Seed Federation, CSTA will also strive to resolve specific trade issues that arise for members in many markets. Beyond this, CSTA will work strategically to promote the benefits of Canadian seed and to expand the acceptance of Canadian seed in international markets.
6. An inclusive and broadly based membership that represents all facets of the seed trade - the strength of any association lies in its membership. CSTA will continuously strive to represent the interests of its members in a fair, equitable and proactive manner, and will endeavour to ensure that its membership is inclusive of all segments of the seed trade.