b"EDITORS MESSAGEThe 12 finalists of the InnovAction Stage, during the Euroseeds congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. Source: EuroseedsAND THE WINNER ISDraghi report: The future of Europeanto a higher, more sustainable level. What competitiveness. And although both werean honour and a privilege to get such a an exciting read, the reports do not addressclose-up look. After hearing all 12, it was a the competitiveness of EU agriculture ortough competition, and the jury had a hard the role of agriculture in a single market.time selecting a winner among all these Which raises the question whether Europesvery good and useful innovations.agriculture should be competitive or not?HealthyCrop from Denmark was All in all, lots of food for thought in thesethe ultimate winner, with Amphasys and reports, which will guide the work of theSmartTray as runners-up. But I certainly European Commission when shaping itswould also like the mention the other Vision for Agriculture and Food, to befinalists: Arable, BetterSeeds, Cibus, delivered in the first 100 days of PresidentComputomics, Multiplex, Phenolytics, BY: MARCEL BRUINS von der Leyen's second mandate. Rainbow Crops, Robotec and Solynta. All But the topic that excited me thethe finalists were showcasing impressive E ach time when were approachingmost in the past weeks was the Euroseedsinnovations. And all of them will contrib-the print date of a new issue of SeedInnovAction Stage. It started off monthsute to advance plant breeding methodolo-World Europe, the question arises asago with a call for nominations, after whichgies, shape the future of agriculture, ensure to what topic I should write my Editoriala lot of innovations came in. All of themglobal food security, and contribute to a column about. I have come to learn that inwere assessed by several jury members withmore sustainable society!Europe, with its many legislative proposals,the help of a long and detailed list of crite- At the end of the day the winner is regulatory roadblocks, deviations and policyria. This thorough process narrowed it downall of us, in other words society. We are hiccups, there is never a shortage of topicsfrom an initial group of 35 contestants,all benefiting from these wonderful and that one could write about. For example, Idown to 12 finalists, who could presentmuch-needed innovations. Its a critical could choose to write something about thetheir innovation at the Euroseeds congresstime for agriculture and for our planet and report Strategic Dialogue on the future ofin Copenhagen. I was lucky enough to bethese innovations will help to address the EU agriculture, from Peter Strohschneider.one of the jury members and got to see a lotmany challenges were facing, such as food Several of the proposals in this reportof inspiring innovations up close.security, climate change and the wish for a make sense, whereas others certainly raiseIt was an incredible pleasure to sit onhigher level of sustainability.eyebrows, and need watchful eye. this jury as each of the 12 presentationsSo, lets make sure we remove all Or perhaps write something aboutwas exciting and the presenters showedobstacles and make way for the innovators. Enrico Lettas report Much more than agreat professionalism and quality in theirWe need them!Market which talks about empoweringpresentations. They all presented solutions Europes single market to deliver a sus- to the plant breeding and seed sector, and IMarcel Bruinstainable future and prosperity for all EUquickly realized that we need all these inno- editorial director, Seed World Europecitizens. I could write about the Mariovations, and more, to move our food systemsmbruins@seedworldgroup.com4ISEED WORLD EUROPEISEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPE | NOVEMBER 2024"