CWB representatives have recently challenged and encouraged at least some producers to become pedigreed seed producers. It seems this is one of their standard answers to farmers who seem frustrated with their limited marketing options though the CWB.
Presently there are US buyers of certified seed from Canadian seed growers. There are also Canadian Pedigreed Seed growers who have taken advantage of this opportunity. The CWB should be fully aware of the situation; after all they will have signed the no cost exemptions. The Americans have purchased varieties that are not commonly grown in the USA. In at least one case; one US farmer took a Canadian farmers total supply of one variety. The American is now looking for buyers of this same seed; because he has decided to grow a different crop. Its entirely possible (as the CWB and everyone else involved should have known from the beginning) that there was money to be made even by selling this seed directly into any US elevator system.
For those readers (and the CWB) who feel that there can be no harm done because it is "identity preseved" or some other rationale;; then consider these arguments:
it potentially raises the price of pedigree seed to all Canadian farmers who don't have the tools to get prices available to US growers
it is a marketing option that is selective for a few Canadian producers; and there are no checks and balances to see that even the unfair rules are not abused
it makes the option of becoming a registered seed grower (as CWB seems to encourage) seem repugnant
it illustrates, along with other recent self serving statements by some CWB directors etc. that the CWB can rationalize any statement and use any set of data to come to a conclusion that seems to indicate a need for their monopoly
Presently there are US buyers of certified seed from Canadian seed growers. There are also Canadian Pedigreed Seed growers who have taken advantage of this opportunity. The CWB should be fully aware of the situation; after all they will have signed the no cost exemptions. The Americans have purchased varieties that are not commonly grown in the USA. In at least one case; one US farmer took a Canadian farmers total supply of one variety. The American is now looking for buyers of this same seed; because he has decided to grow a different crop. Its entirely possible (as the CWB and everyone else involved should have known from the beginning) that there was money to be made even by selling this seed directly into any US elevator system.
For those readers (and the CWB) who feel that there can be no harm done because it is "identity preseved" or some other rationale;; then consider these arguments:
it potentially raises the price of pedigree seed to all Canadian farmers who don't have the tools to get prices available to US growers
it is a marketing option that is selective for a few Canadian producers; and there are no checks and balances to see that even the unfair rules are not abused
it makes the option of becoming a registered seed grower (as CWB seems to encourage) seem repugnant
it illustrates, along with other recent self serving statements by some CWB directors etc. that the CWB can rationalize any statement and use any set of data to come to a conclusion that seems to indicate a need for their monopoly
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