🧬 Canada’s Path Toward Viroid-Free Tomato and Pepper Seed Certification

A Call to the Seed Industry for Collaboration and Data Sharing

Across the seed sector, biosecurity and export access increasingly depend on transparent seed-health verification. In the case of tomato and pepper seeds, six regulated Pospiviroids have emerged as critical trade barriers — requiring declaration of freedom or negative test results for export, particularly to the United States under USDA-APHIS regulations. (Reference: Tomato and Pepper Seeds Federal Order FAQ, ASTA)

The Viroids of Concern

Columnea latent viroid (CLVd)
Pepper chat fruit viroid (PCFVd)
Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd)
Tomato apical stunt viroid (TASVd)
Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid (TCDVd)
Tomato planta macho viroid (TPMVd)

If Canada is to maintain seamless export access — and potentially be declared free of these viroids — it is essential to understand the current seed-health landscape within our domestic industry.

Industry Input Requested

We invite all Canadian seed companies, breeders, and exporters to share whether they have conducted testing for any of the above viroids. Specifically:

Have you tested tomato and/or pepper seed lots for any of these six Pospiviroids?
If yes, which viroids were included and what were the results (positive/negative)?
If not, what barriers have prevented testing (e.g., cost, access to assays, low demand)?
Which laboratories or partners have you used, and what methods (RT-PCR, ELISA, NGS)?
Would you support a coordinated Canadian initiative to document national viroid-free status?

Responses will be aggregated and anonymized — the purpose is to compile credible data for industry-wide representation and dialogue with CFIA and USDA counterparts.

Current Testing Gaps — and a New Canadian Solution

Until recently, no accredited Canadian laboratory offered direct testing for these six viroids. Following multiple inquiries from seed companies — including our own outreach — 20/20 Seed Labs Inc. has now initiated the process of acquiring the required RT-PCR assays and validating them in accordance with international standards.

These standards are defined by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO), which provides the accepted diagnostic protocols for viroid testing (EPPO Standard PM 7/33 (4) – Detection of Pospivi r oids).

20/20 Seed Labs’ effort represents a major step forward for Canadian seed exporters — bringing domestic capacity for internationally recognized viroid testing, essential for meeting USDA-APHIS import requirements and facilitating phytosanitary certification.

Seed companies are encouraged to keep 20/20 Seed Labs in mind for upcoming export testing needs, as their new assay platform will align with EPPO protocols and ISTA quality standards.

Why This Matters

Market Access: U.S. regulations require either negative test results or official declaration of freedom for listed viroids.
Biosecurity: Viroid incursions can cause major crop loss, affect export reputation, and result in costly containment measures.
Strategic Positioning: A verified “Canada-free” status for these viroids would streamline export certification and strengthen the Canadian seed sector’s competitiveness.

How You Can Contribute

If your company has conducted, commissioned, or plans to conduct viroid testing, please share your information confidentially with us. Use our contact form here.

Together, we can build the evidence base to help Canada demonstrate freedom from these regulated viroids — ensuring continued trust, transparency, and access in international seed trade.

Authored by:
Manish Kushwaha
Gaia Organics | Ottawa, Ontario