Delegates to Keystone Agricultural Producers’ recent annual meeting passed a resolution calling for the federal government to enable generic seed developers (which include farmers) to have access to off-patent plant traits at least seven years before these traits come off patent.
The resolution comes as a result of amendments to the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act in Bill C-18 that strengthen the ability of plant breeders to capture greater value for their investments, primarily though royalties.
Delegates speaking in favour of the resolution noted that off-patent pesticides come to the market fairly quickly, but it takes seven years to develop a new plant variety from an off-patent trait. Additionally, they are concerns that some off-patent traits might disappear altogether.
The resolution came on the heels of a presentation by Robert Watchman of Pitblado Law on the revised Plant Breeders’ Rights Act and farmer obligations.
Another resolution called for the Province to stop expropriation of farmland for Bipole lll and allow a provincial landowners’ association, as well as its national counterpart, to negotiate an agreement on behalf of landowners.
Other resolutions addressed raising the height of transmission lines to accommodate larger farm equipment, provincial water quality testing of wells and other water sources damaged by overland flooding last summer, and Manitoba Public Insurance’s method of qualifying producers for farm license plates. In all, 13 resolutions were passed.
The meeting wrapped up at noon today, after seeing Dan Mazier, former vice-president, move into the position of president. Two new vice-presidents were elected – Glenn Young of the Cypress River area and Justin Jenner who farms near Minnesdoa.
