The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is modernizing Canada’s Seed Regulations to improve responsiveness and consistency, reduce complexity, strengthen consumer protection for seed potato programs and respond to potential avenues for modernization and improvement. This session discusses the process, industry participation and explains the survey which allows growers to record their opinions, comments and suggestions.
Presenters
Deb Hart
Deb Hart has been part of the seed potato industry for 21 years. She recently retired as seed coordinator with the Potato Growers of Alberta after 16.5 years, however she continues industry work as vice-chair of the Canadian Potato Council/Seed Potato Sub-Committee. She is also the Canadian Potato Council representative on the Seed Regulations Modernization Working Group and industry co-chair on the Seed Potato Regulations Modernization Working Group.
Mélanie Mecteau
Mélanie Mecteau has a bachelor of science in agriculture and a master of science in plant pathology, both from Laval University. She joined the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) as a plant protection inspector in Quebec City in 2001. She has since held several positions such as a CFIA Program Specialist in the Plant Protection Division (Grains and Oilseed and Forestry). Since 2011, Mélanie’s substantive position is as a national program specialist within the potato section. She has been actively involved in plant protection policy development, pest management files (Potato Cyst Nematode) and in the Seed Potato Crop Inspection course (Ridgetown). She is currently involved with the Seed Potato Regulatory Modernization initiative in developing the needs assessment survey. Over the past few years, Mélanie has also worked as a senior officer for the National Issues Management Office, the Canadian Food Safety Information Network and the Office of Food Safety and Recalls.
The Canadian Spud Congress was held on Feb. 24 to 25, 2021. This was one of the presentations from it.
