Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 6014 GERMINATION.CA MARCH 2017 FROM SMALL BEGINNINGS in 2005, and big ambitions, the Seed Association of the Americas (SAA) has made monumental strides in serving as “the leading authority and representing with a unified voice” the seed industry throughout the Americas. The man responsible for many of those giant strides is Diego Risso, who joined SAA as executive director in 2009. But he’s quick to credit SAA members and staff who have put in countless hours to benefit the industry as a whole. “We have based our unique strategy on working together with policymakers, regulators and national and international seed associations,” Risso says, noting that it takes time and patience to bring the right voices around the table and be able to collectively discuss issues of importance — not to mention moving toward policies, positions or implementation. With steadfast support and a clear vision, SAA and its 21 members (including ordinary, associate and affiliate members) are finally seeing the fruits of their labour in the areas of biotechnology, intellectual property, phy- tosanitary and seed treatment. Work in each of these key areas is supported by a working group, and the name “working group” is an accurate description as conference calls can be lengthy, position papers are scrutinized, and consensus doesn’t always come easy. Arguably one of the most important conversations happening throughout the international seed industry is plant breeding innovation and the use of new breeding techniques, shares Juan Kiekebusch, SAA senior adviser on biotechnology. “This whole year has been centred around plant breeding innovations and discussions happening around the world, including in the Americas,” he says. “SAA is fully aligned with the International Seed Federation’s Plant Breeding Innovation Working Group and CropLife International.” New Innovations and Archaic Laws To date, Kiekebusch explains that only Argentina has regulations written and signed by the government. “The regulation is very clear in its definitions and non- transgenic products can be excluded from regulation,” he says. “The caveat is that companies, before making a big investment in research projects, should make an appoint- ment to consult with the national biosafety commission, which then makes the determination if it’s GMO or not. “Not all countries agree with this approach, but it is one approach that sets a pathway and it’s aligned with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.” In moving forward, the goal is to adopt a set of con- sistent criteria for how a product should be evaluated, and thus regulated. The International Seed Federation (ISF) through its working group, developed a document outlin- ing such criteria. “If we can get the scientific community together to agree on a set of parameters, then we can build a path minimizing political and ‘off science’ disruptions when we approach regulators and policymakers,” Kiekebusch says. That’s why in mid-November, SAA hosted a meeting with academic representatives from the United States, Mexico, Paraguay, Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, Chile and Brazil to discuss concepts for consistent criteria when it comes to how, and if, these new innovations should be regulated. These new plant breeding techniques in combination with biotechnology are seen as part of the solution to helping farmers increase crop yields and better manage disease, pest and abiotic pressures in a sustainable manner. However, a concern often expressed by countries is that of low level presence (LLP). In 2016, SAA worked with the International Life Sciences Institute to develop a set of tools for national From phytosanitary issues to intellectual property and from seed treatments to biotechnology, the Seed Association of the Americas is hard at work to protect the interests of the seed industry and facilitate the international movement of seed. Julie Deering SAAMAKESMONUMENTALSTRIDES Juan Kiekebusch, SAA senior adviser on biotechnology. Paula Bey, Dow AgroSciences vice chair of the SAA Seed Treatment Working Group.