Parent Tree Information Policy
Chief Forester’s Standards for Seed Use
Effective Date: June 1, 2005
Scope
A person may apply to Tree Improvement Branch (TIB) to have an identification
number assigned to a new parent tree or to amend information associated with a
previously identified parent tree in accordance with section 5.3 of the Chief
Forester’s Standards for Seed Use.
TIB must assign or confirm an identification number to a parent tree, and record
or amend information accordingly if the application is complete and accurate, and
if it meets the applicable standards.
Purpose
New information or amendments to parent tree information, such as tested area of
use and breeding value, can directly and immediately impact on a lot’s transfer
limits and genetic worth, respectively, under the Chief Forester’s Standards
for Seed Use. Complications may arise by confirming amendments to parent tree
information after pollen flight and prior to cone collection, during the peak
sowing request season (August through January), or in the middle of the planting
season. This policy is intended to mitigate some of these issues.
With few exceptions, the testing of parent trees is conducted by Research
Branch, Ministry of Forests. Testing of parent trees or parent tree information may
however arise from persons other than employees of the ministry.
This policy outlines how persons should assess and submit parent tree
information to TIB under section 5.3 of the Chief Forester’s Standards for
Seed Use. It describes how TIB will review and confirm this information. It
also clarifies the role of other persons, such as the Forest Genetics Council of
British Columbia (FGC) and its committees, in providing input and technical advice
on parent trees and their associated information.
Policy
New parent tree information from ministry tree breeders should be reviewed by
the applicable technical advisory and species committees established by the FGC.
Comments or concerns regarding the parent tree information presented by the tree
breeder must be submitted in writing to the Manager, Forest Genetics, Research
Branch and a copy sent the Director, TIB.
If a person, other than a person employed by the ministry, wishes to apply for a
parent tree identification number, request an amendment to an existing parent tree,
or submit information concerning parent trees contributing to a lot from a non-BC
seed source (e.g. breeding values for USA parent trees), that person must submit
the information in an application to the Director, TIB. The Director, TIB will
subsequently forward the parent tree information to the Manager, Forest Genetics,
for technical review.
Following the technical review, Manager, Forest Genetics, will confirm if the
parent tree information was determined in accordance with generally accepted
scientific methodology.
In the case of new parent tree information determined by ministry tree breeders,
the Manager, Forest Genetics, will submit that information to TIB in writing and
confirm that it was determined in accordance with generally accepted scientific
methodology. This information may be submitted in advance electronically using
SPAR.
Wherever possible amendments to parent tree information should be submitted to
TIB between January 1 and March 1 of a calendar year, and in advance of pollen
flight.
Upon receipt TIB will assess requests for completeness and accuracy, and
determine if the applicable standards have been met. If these criteria are not met,
the Director, TIB, will inform the person who submitted the information in writing.
If the information is complete and accurate, TIB will confirm and record the
parent tree information in SPAR as soon as possible. Where applicable, TIB will
also update the transfer limits and genetic worth of affected active registered
lots in SPAR on or before July 1. TIB will notify affected stakeholders and lot
owners of the confirmed amendments in advance of making these changes in SPAR.
Not withstanding the above, if in some specific circumstance it is necessary to
deviate from the identified timeframes, Research Branch and TIB may vary from them
as prudence dictates.
Jim Snetsinger
Chief Forester
June 22, 2005
References
Chief Forester’s Standards for Seed Use, sections 5.3 and 5.4, and
Appendix 1
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