Canada's Evolving Seed Regime: Relations of Industry, State, And Seed Savers‪.‬

Abstract The world's agro-diversity is based on the traditional practices of growers saving and selecting seeds; however, a different understanding of the value of seeds and growers has taken hold within Canada's contemporary seed regime. The contemporary Canadian seed system is characterized by state-facilitated corporate control. In this evolving seed regime, saving seed becomes an anachronistic practice that limits production by using old (less valuable) seed varieties and techniques, and seeds are valued only as potential profit-making property. However, seeds and seed saving are valuable, if often overlooked, factors in efforts to re/build alternative food networks. This paper explores the context and practices of seed saving within Canada by examining governmental and industry proposals for changing the seed system and by outlining a few examples of how seed savers and their supporters are acting to challenge the existing regime while also creating an alternative.