The Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA) is voicing strong concern over Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) decision to close seven federal research facilities across the country, warning the move could have serious long-term impacts on Canada’s seed system, crop innovation capacity, and agricultural competitiveness.
In a statement released today, CSGA said the closures — framed by the federal government as a cost-saving measure — could ultimately undermine far greater economic value across the sector. While Ottawa has suggested the shutdowns will generate annual savings of $4 to $5 million, CSGA argued the downstream consequences could put hundreds of millions of dollars in agricultural value at risk, especially in crops that rely heavily on public-sector variety development.
“Virtually all crop production in Canada begins with seed,” said Doug Miller, CSGA executive director. “Weakening public research capacity creates ripple effects throughout the system, from plant breeding and variety registration to certified seed production, farm productivity, and export competitiveness. These cuts may yield short-term fiscal savings, but they carry long-term consequences that far outweigh any immediate gain.”
CSGA emphasized that Canada’s agriculture sector operates in one of the world’s most diverse and demanding production environments. Public plant breeding and applied research, CSGA said, have historically played a critical role in developing high-quality, regionally adapted crop varieties—an advantage that helps farmers respond to climate variability, shifting disease pressures, and global market demands.
The association pointed to the scale of Canada’s crop economy, noting that in 2024, Canada’s principal field crops generated $35.7 billion in farm cash receipts, including $26.8 billion in exports. CSGA said much of that performance has been supported by publicly developed varieties, particularly in crops such as wheat, barley, oats, pulses, and specialty crops, where private-sector investment alone has not met long-term national needs.
Beyond early-stage research, CSGA said it is particularly concerned about the loss of final-stage variety development capacity, which helps move breeding work from research plots to field-ready varieties. The Association warned that removing public institutions from this stage can weaken innovation outcomes and reduce the connection between breeding programs and on-farm realities.
“Plant breeding is not a switch that can be turned on and off,” said Miller. “Developing a new variety takes roughly 10 years. Once expertise, facilities, and regionally adapted programs are lost, they are extremely difficult to rebuild.”
CSGA added that seed growers depend on a stable pipeline of new varieties developed through collaboration across disciplines, including breeders, pathologists, agronomists, and quality specialists. Public research programs also play a key role in training future plant scientists and advancing technologies that may later be adopted by private companies.
CSGA reiterated its support for a balanced approach to variety development in Canada, emphasizing that public and private investment serve complementary roles. While private-sector breeding can work well in crops where cost recovery is feasible, CSGA said public breeding remains essential for many of Canada’s most important field and specialty crops.
CSGA also noted that it has begun mobilizing industry response. Last Friday, the Association convened a meeting of more than 80 stakeholders from across Canada’s agriculture and seed value chain to discuss concerns and determine next steps. In the months ahead, CSGA said it will continue working with partners to assess the full implications and identify constructive solutions.
Any path forward, CSGA said, must begin with recognition that public research capacity is a long-term investment in Canada’s agricultural performance and global competitiveness. The association concluded by calling Canada’s seed system a strategic national asset that requires sustained investment in plant breeding to support future innovation and productivity.