In Quebec, crop insurance requires the use of certified seed. For that reason, companies invest because there is a certain return on their investment. There are some small companies in Quebec, but there are also research centres such as Ceresco, Semican et Céréla. The producer has to pay a levy on the seed. This funds research and related work. That is what I meant. This is done elsewhere, to some extent.
This act will mean that the companies will focus more on grain. Personally, I farm in northern Quebec, in the Lac-Saint-Jean area. We produce grain. More work needs to be done to increase yields and to develop varieties that have a certain resistance.
You mentioned the disease that blighted the potatoes in Ireland. In a case like that one, you would need something that would bring about improvement, that is to say a company that would work to make the potato resistant to the disease.
And that is in summary why we need people who work on developing new varieties that are good for the producers, and for everyone generally.
For instance, regarding wheat, we could develop plants that are resistant to fusariosis, but that would require some considerable investments.