Thank you, Chair. I propose:
That Bill C-18, in Clause 75, be amended by adding after line 4 on page 51 the following: “3.3 The Registrar may not cancel the registration of a variety under paragraph 74(j) of the Seeds Regulations unless the Minister has, after consultation with Canadian farmers, determined that the cancellation would not be detrimental to their interests.”
From how I understand it, right now a company can request in writing to take any variety off the market. What this amendment is trying to do is make sure that there is better transparency and consultation required when seeds are made inaccessible. It also makes sure that farmers' interests are taken into consideration when it comes to which varieties are deregistered and makes sure that producers can plan and anticipate any changes.
This is a consultation that we want to have enshrined in this bill.