b'LATER THIS YEAR,Frances seed associationknown as UFS (Union Franaise des Semenciers)will mark 10 years in existence. UFS was created when France broughtA SNAPSHOT OF UFSits six separate seed associations together under one umbrella.As Canada works to bring its own industry associations under a single umbrella (aFrances seed project known as the Seed Synergy Collaboration Project), Germination spoke to twoassociationUFS experts on the formation of UFS and lessons learned during its formation. (Union Franaise des Germination: Why was UFS formed? Semenciers)was founded in March 2009 Rachel Blumel (RB): You must find common ground to be successful. Merging ourand deals with seed industry offers us more opportunity to be understood by stakeholders and government. industry and plant breeding promotion in Eric Devron (ED): We felt the need to speak with one voice and be listened to at theFrance and worldwide. EU and international levels. UFS gathers 135 French seed companies involved Germination: When UFS was formed, had the French seed industry tried this before orin plant breeding, seed was it the first attempt? production and seed ED: There were some initiatives 10 to 15 years before the creation of UFS, but theymarketing.collapsed, and we didnt want to repeat that. It took two years to create UFS from theUFS gathers the time discussions began to when it was formedwe were not in a hurry to do it. Itcompanies that were was necessary to discuss and explain the ultimate goal of the process to our diversepreviously members stakeholdersthere were about 150 French companies involved. of six individual associations:Germination: What were some challenges you faced?AFSAED: We had to effectively communicate what the benefit would be in having a single(cereals & pulses)French seed association. We didnt expect people to be automatically convinced FFSFGwe gave them time to think about it and to come around. There were people and(forage plants & companies frightened by the fact that everyone would be coming together. We took theturfgrass)time to talk to all of them and get them to see they had more in common than they had differences. FNPSP (vegetables& ornamentals)Germination: Looking back, does anything stand out that you feel really helped the OLEOSEM (oilseeds)process along? SEPROMA (maize)RB: You need a good leader to manage the project. If they dont earn the trust of theSPFGB (sugar beets & stakeholdersor if the working group itself is not composed of people who trustchicory seeds)one anotherit doesnt work. You have to make clear to everyone that its not about power. When you bring your industry together, no one is gaining or losing any powerUFS has been a member or influence. Its about making the whole industry more effective, and essentially givingof the International everyone an equal voice. Seed Federation and Euroseeds since 2009, ED: We were very careful in establishing the working group which oversaw the process.as the former French We chose people from different kinds of seed companies, all over the spectrum. Wefederations used to be. It were very careful in doing this, as it was a sensitive matter. We hired a consultant andtakes part in both boards paid attention to choose the right onethat was important. Whenever we startedand participates in the questioning ourselves, the consultant helped get the process back on track and keepmain committees and everyone focused. On a few occasions the consultant really helped the process stayworking groups.above water and avoid collapse. But lets say that the strong will of the industry to benefit from a unified corporate home was the main fuel. SEPTEMBER 2019GERMINATION.CA 19'