Agricultural Biotechnology Seminar Series 2025 | Seminar 1: Plant Breeding Innovation in Canada – Regulatory Approach and Opportunities
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May 27, 2025
8:00 am - 10:00 amVirtual (EDT/UTC-4)
Ottawa, Canada
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The first seminar in the 2025 Agricultural Biotechnology Seminar Series, this virtual seminar will provide an overview of Canada’s new guidance on the regulation of plant breeding innovations for food, seeds and their environmental release, and animal feed, with a focus on the principles behind the member economy’s approach. This includes an overview of the final set of guidance that has been developed over the course of this initiative, as well as providing insights into the development of regulatory guidance, recommended best practices, navigating challenges encountered, and opportunities for complementary initiatives, so economies embarking on or contemplating similar endeavors may learn from Canada’s experience. Perspectives from both regulators and plant breeders will be shared, with a focus on opportunities to strengthen innovation, trade, and food security through practical solutions to policy alignment for precision breeding. The sponsoring economy for this session is Canada
Agricultural Biotechnology Seminar Series
By bringing together policymakers, risk assessors, and scientists, the series seeks to foster greater participation and enhance engagement in the APEC High Level Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Biotechnology (HLPDAB) outside of the annual meeting.
This seminar’s objectives are to:
- Provide a forum for asking questions about Canada’s guidance and experience.
- Share insights on the importance of policy alignment for enabling trade and product development.
- Discuss practical solutions to policy alignment for precision breeding and opportunities to strengthen innovation, trade, and food security within APEC.
Agenda
8:00 am
Technical Introduction
Bhavneet Bajaj, Ph.D.
Senior Manager – Scientific Programs, Agriculture & Food Systems Institute (AFSI), USA
8:05 am
Opening Remarks
Michelle Bielik
Director, Technical Trade Policy Division, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
8:10 am
Principles of Canada’s Approach & Overview of Canada’s New Guidance on Regulation of Plant Breeding Innovations: Food
Neil Strand
Section Head, Novel Foods Section, Health Canada
8:25 am
Canada’s New Guidance on Regulation of Plant Breeding Innovations: Seeds/Environmental Release
Hannah Clouthier
Acting Policy and Program Team Lead, Plant Biosafety Office (PBO), Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
8:40 am
Canada’s New Guidance on Regulation of Plant Breeding Innovations: Feed
Abed Zeibdawi, Ph.D.
Policy and Program Leader, Animal Feed and Veterinary Biologics Division, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
8:55 am
Moderated Question and Answer Session
Bhavneet Bajaj, Ph.D.
9:10 am
Perspectives from a Plant Breeder
Jodi Souter, Ph.D.
Independent Plant Breeder/Co-Founder, J4 Agri-Science
9:25 am
Strengthening Innovation, Trade, and Food Security: Why We Need Creative Solutions to Policy Alignment for Precision Breeding
Krista Thomas
Vice President of Trade Policy & Seed Innovation, Canada Grains Council (CGC)
9:40 am
Moderated Question and Answer Session
Bhavneet Bajaj, Ph.D.
9:50 am
Closing Remarks
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
9:55 am
Conclusion
Bhavneet Bajaj, Ph.D.
