Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and good afternoon.
On behalf of Alberta Barley, I'd like to thank you for inviting me here today to discuss Bill C-18. My name is Matt Sawyer and I'm here on behalf of Alberta's 11,000-plus barley farmers.
The amendments to the Plant Breeders' Rights Act as outlined in Bill C-18 are important to farmers and Canadians. By implementing Bill C-18 and adopting UPOV 91, we will finally be on a level playing field with the world's major agricultural exporting countries. A level playing field means more investment in research from international companies and an increase in the number and diversity of crops and varieties. All of that ultimately means more choice for farmers, which we wholeheartedly support.
We also believe the amendments to the Plant Breeders' Rights Act balance the interests of farmers with those of both public and private plant breeders. As farmers, we know the value of hard work and being rewarded for that work. Strengthened breeder protection will foster a positive business environment for investing in plant breeding in Canada.
International harmonization through the adoption of UPOV 91 will encourage foreign breeders to release new and innovative varieties here in Canada. Under UPOV 91, any plant breeder will be able to breed from a protected variety and no authorization will be required to conduct research and experimentation on a protected variety. This means that farmers in Canada will have faster access to better genetics. It's a win-win.
However, we would like to direct some attention to an item that is of critical importance to farmers. Under UPOV 91, an explicit farmer's exemption is required to allow farmers to continue saving, conditioning, storing, and replanting seed of a protected variety. Bill C-18 has included this provision. However, we understand that it is subject to restrictions that aren't outlined at the moment. To be clear, Alberta Barley unconditionally supports the inclusion of this provision. We believe that farmers should have the right to save seed and because of that right, farmers' privilege should not be subject to future restrictions or litigations.
As an organization directed by farmers, for farmers, Alberta Barley will continue to encourage the federal government to consult our members as they develop the regulations to support this bill. We support Bill C-18 but we also believe that the regulations within it need to be arrived at through transparent consultation, directly involving the people who ultimately will end up paying for it.
Alberta Barley's mandate is to create a vibrant, innovative industry that unlocks the entire potential of barley. We will always seek to advance the interests of Alberta Barley farmers through leadership and investment in innovation and development. Because of this, we support the proposed amendments to the Plant Breeders' Rights Act.
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute from Calgary to the committee's review. I am pleased to answer any questions you may have.