b'PM: Our members, I hope, are as prepared as they can be.BSPB members were all very well prepared for the We have certainly worked flat-out in BSPB on this from the29th of March and had taken steps to prevent any disrup-day of the referendum result. We were on the phone to thetion in supply to customers. But then, of course, we didnt Ministry of Agriculture very quickly to say you do knowleave. So right now, it is quite difficult to be able to advise about plant breeding and how crucial it is to UK foodmembers on what to do. The real issue now is the com-and farming? You do know what an integrated Europeanplete uncertainty: Are we leaving? When are we leaving? industry this is? You do know about the industrys relianceOn what terms are we leaving? If we dont know what the on European plant variety rights and the EU Commonend point looks like, it is very difficult to plan, its very Catalogue for protection and access to markets? We havedifficult to advise any member on what they should do. been strong in representing our members views to govern-ment, in bringing information back and getting it out toG: Is there still a chance of staying in the EU? If not, what do our members as fast as we possibly can so that they canBritish plant breeders have to do to prepare and what should AWB_Germination-July2019-outline.pdf 1 12/06/2019 9:49:12 AMdigest it and decide what actions they need to take.British seed companies do to prepare as well?PM: There is a very slim chance of remain. It is one of the possible ways out of the mess, but very dangerous politi-cally for the country. It would leave a government and a nation having to deal with 52% of the populationthe people who voted to leavefeeling disillusioned, disen-franchised, and angry. And they would want to vote out the government that kept them in the EU at the earliest opportunity. So, I think there are many dangers and it could potentially lead to the complete demise of the two-party political system in the UK. It is a possibility, but for C these reasons, a remote one. M To prepare now, plant breeders in the UK market place should firstly consider joining BSPB if they are not already Y members because we have access to government, to CM government officials and to ministers, so we can represent MY their views and we can also bring them the latest news CY on Brexit and whats happening as it happens. Individual companies dont necessarily have that level of access CMY because the government doesnt have the resource to con-K sult with everybody. So, if you are not yet a member of the association, we would very much welcome you to join. Once you do have that information, as a company you need to look at your business model, consider the different scenarios, and work out what you need to do to be sure that you will continue to have intellectual property protec-tion, and market access on both sides on the channel. Editors Note: This issue went to print just before the Oct. 31, 2019, Brexit deadline, when the UK was scheduled to leave the European Union. 48GERMINATION.CA NOVEMBER 2019'