b'BY: FRANCO BRAZZABENICERTIFIED SEED, A PLUS FOR CONSUMERS TOOC ertified seed is the essence of the work of the seed industry. At the same time, it is a fundamental added value for all food production chains. In Italy the certification is provided by CREA-DC, a ministerial body, with tests that take place over a long period of time. It starts with inspections in the field where the seed is produced, moving on to labo-ratory tests, and finally to checks during the processing phases in the factories. The post-control is carried out annually, as a further verification of the conformity of the batches intended for marketing. This process guarantees the quality standards required by law on physical and varietal purity, identity, germination and absence of pathogens. Photo: OECD.Certified seeds, having undergone extensive quality controls, represent a cru- years and use certified seed.consumer is king. It is the consumer who cial technical asset. They ensure high qual- So why this choice? Many farmersdictates market dynamics and guides com-ity, economic efficiency, legal compliance,delude themselves into saving money. Inpany strategies. If some captions, such as traceability, and innovation, as commercialfact, in the best-case scenario, the lowestProduced from 100% Italian wheat, or proceeds fund varietal research. cost is just over 20 euros per hectare; a smallFrom organic (or integrated) agriculture, All this has a positive impact on theand only apparent gain, if we consider allor even Without palm oil, increasingly entire supply chain, from farmers, to trad- the shortcomings of non-certified seed. present on packaging of various foodstuffs, ers, to food industry, up to large-scale dis- This is an obsolete and non-com- are considered strategic, tomorrow it could tribution and, ultimately, consumers. petitive way of operating. The Europeanbecome Produced from certified seed. It Green Deal, considering its objectivesis about communicating to the consumer AN APPROACH TO IMPROVE and strategies, requires working with highthat certified seed represents an important Despite the undeniable advantages, nowprofessionalism and therefore with highadvantage, which guarantees, among other generally recognized, the impact of certi- quality technical means, such as certifiedthings, the health of the food, its origin, its fied seed on the market is still partial andseed. In this sense, the Italian Ministry ofproduction in a legal and ethical way. These unsatisfactory. In Italy it ranges from 65%Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policiesvalues are strongly requested and sought in of common wheat, to 60% of soybeanshas implemented a proposalpresentedfood by European citizens, as attested by and rice and just 50% of durum wheat andby Italys seed association Assosementi, andauthoritative surveys such as Eurobarometer alfalfa. In the rest of Europe, the situa- in the new Common Agricultural Policy2022-Food safety in the EU. tion is more or less the same, with usage2023-2027has established that, fromIts about providing correct and effec-percentages ranging from 30 to 80%.2024 sowing, to obtain the coupled pay- tive information which, if finally received Therefore, a large portion of agriculturalment envisaged in Italy for durum wheat,by the consumer, will be able to positively production is made starting from non-cer- rice, soybeans, oilseeds, tomato for industry,influence the choices of the entire supply tified seeds, that means not controlled andlegumes and sugar beet, the use of certifiedchain.not guaranteed, prepared in an approximateseed is required. A step forward for ItalianA decisive challenge for the seed and generally non-professional way. Oftenagriculture. sector, in Europe and throughout the it is illegal seed, therefore at risk of legalworld.actions for violations of seed laws and/or taxTHE CONSUMER IS KEYregulations. In any case, these crops do notThe real leap in quality will occur whenFranco Brazzabeni is commercial and mar-allow any traceability and preclude access tofarmers choice is not conditioned by aketing consultant in the international agri-incentives such as the durum wheat fund,regulation, but by the market. From thisbusiness, Member of the Board of Assosementi reserved for Italian farmers who stipulateperspective, the determining element willand of ISF Groups and writes a blog on www.supply chain contracts lasting at least threebe the consumer. Today more than everagrinotes.it.22ISEED WORLD EUROPEISEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPE'