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europeanseedVOLUME2ISSUE1EUROPEANSEED.COMEVOLVINGTHEINDUSTRYEUROPESSEEDSECTORISTACKLINGCHANGEHEADONTOGUARANTEESUCCESSACCESSINGGERMPLASMNEWPLATFORMISLEVELLINGTHEPLAYINGFIELDTHENAGOYAPROTOCOLINACTIONMANAGINGGENETICRESOURCESANDBIODIVERSITYINNOVATIONSINTOMATOBREEDINGISFWORLDSEEDCONGRESS2015KRAKWPOLAND EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEANSEEDI1TABLEOFCONTENTSFEATURESAFullCountforVegetables................................................................................08TheGoldenAppleoftheVegetableIndustry.....................................................12SeedTradeRespondstoPublicConcerns........................................................16EnsuringBiodiversity............................................................................................20ISTASupportCrucial...........................................................................................22EngagedandInvolved.........................................................................................26DEPARTMENTSSpotlightPIN.......................................................................................................30GlobalSeedWatch..............................................................................................34Regulatory............................................................................................................38IndustryNews......................................................................................................42Extras....................................................................................................................46CalendarofEvents..............................................................................................47GiantViews...........................................................................................................4812223416europeanseedVOLUME2ISSUE1 2IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMeuropeanseedEUROPEAN-SEED.COMVOLUME2ISSUE1Suite3467-68HattonGardenLondonEC1N8JYUnitedKingdomPUBLISHERShawnBrooksbrookissuesink.comEDITORIALDIRECTORMarcelBruinsmbruinsissuesink.comMANAGINGEDITORLindsayHoffmanlhoffmanissuesink.comSTAFFWRITERSJulieDeeringMarkHalsallShannonSchindleMarcZienkiewiczADVERTISINGSALESCraigArmstrongcarmstrongissuesink.comHitenShahhshahissuesink.comFabienCastelf.castelbreizywood.comSamMostafasmostafaissuesink.comDIGITALMEDIASALESJillHollosijhollosiissuesink.comMARKETINGLynneRoyCREATIVETheresaKurjewiczLesleyNakonechnyDIGITALMEDIACREATIVENickBuhrKyleDratowanyCalebMacDonaldCIRCULATIONDeanFrenchdfrenchissuesink.comCONTRIBUTORSGarlichvonEssenKoenMortelmansADVISORYBOARDStephanieFranckPlfanzenzuchtOberlimpurgChrisGreenGreenResourcesLtd.MartinGrussBayerCropScienceNigelMooreKWSUKLtd.SzabolcsRuthnerInternationalSeedFederationAnaSilvaEuropeanSeedAssociationwww.facebook.comEuropeanSeedtwitter.comEuropeanSeedSUBSCRIPTIONSEuropeanSeedispublishedtwotimesayear.Europeansubscriptionratesareoneyear20.Internationaloneyear75.Tosubscribepleaseemailsubscribeissuesink.com.Pleaserecyclewherefacilitiesexist.Nopartofthismagazinemaybereproducedwithoutthewrittenpermissionofthepublisher.PrintedinPoland.Wealsoofferturnkeyfacilitiesdesignbuildconstructionmanagementbulkstorageadditionstofacilities.Industryleadingproductionresearchequipment.Fromdryingshellingtocleaningwedoitall.www.aec-corp.comManufacturedinEuropewithfullEuropeanandAmericansupportstaff.WeofferSinglePassReversingDoublePassReversingDryersandBulkStorageSystems.GabrielGheorgheggheorgheaecenterprises.com40730170192www.aecenterprises.com 4IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMEDITORSMESSAGEEVOLVINGTHESEEDINDUSTRYSEVERALRECENTDEVELOPMENTSARERESHAPINGTHESEEDINDUSTRYLANDSCAPE.elcomebackateralongandorsomeaverycoldwinter.Springisaroundthecornerandarmersgrowersandplantbreedershavestartedtopreparetheirlandandplotsorthenextcrop.IamhappytoreportthatthefrstissueoEuropeanSeedwasverywell-receivedduringitslaunchattheEuropeanSeedAssociationAnnualMeeting.Wehaveheardnothingbutgoodcommentswhichshowsthatthemaga-zineisclearlyfllinganiche.ManyoyouwerewaitingoramagazinetoservetheEuropeanseedsectorbutstillkeepingawatchuleyeonthedevelopmentsintherestotheworld.Theactthatwearesendingahard-copyversiontoseveralthousandsoaddressesthroughoutEuropemakesthemagazineauseulandmuchsought-aterconduitorsharinginormationandreachingouttoamuchbroaderaudience.Wearepleasedtosharewithyouthatthemag-azineisbeingsentnotonlytoseedindustrystakeholdersbutalsotomanykeypublicsectorandnon-governmentorganisations.WehaveagainputtogetheranissueoryouthatisbrimmingwithinterestingstoriesonintellectualpropertyseedtreatmentsseedtestingandtheNagoyaProtocoljusttonameabitowhatiscoveredinthisissue.Seed-appliedtechnologyisahighlyef-cientmethodoplacingoneormorecroppro-tectionproductsattheoptimallocationontheseedorthehighestperormance.Howeverexperiencehastaughtusthatitisimportanttoapplytheseproductsinanefcientwayol-lowingthemanuacturersguidelinesandontopothatwemustutilizegoodstewardshippracticesinallaspectsotheproductusecycle.AmaliaKakaoESAsatdownwithEuropeanSeedandprovidedadeepbackgroundontheEuropeanSeedTreatmentAssuranceESTAscheme.WewillalsohearromseveralusersotheESTAschemeastheysharetheirexpe-riencessoar.ForthoseoyouwhohavemisseditOct.122014wasD-Day.ThatwasthedateonwhichtheNagoyaProtocolenteredintoorce.TheNagoyaProtocoltotheConventiononBiologicalDiversityCBDonAccesstoGeneticResourcesandtheFairandEquitableSharingoBeneftsArisingromTheirUtilizationwasadoptedinNagoyaatthe10thConerenceMarcelBruinsothePartiesotheCBDin2010andsubse-quentlysignedby92countries.ItimplementsthethirdobjectiveotheCBDnamelytheairandequitablesharingobeneftsarisingromtheutilisationogeneticresourcesbyallowingappropriateaccesstogeneticresourcesgener-allyreerredtoasaccessandbeneftsharingorsimplyABS.EuropeanSeedhasaskedleadingexpertsaboutthematterandwhatitmeansortheseedindustry.AsyoubecomemoreamiliarwithEuropeanSeedyouwillseeseveralrecur-ringeatures.OneotheseisaspotlightonaregionalorinternationalorganisationwhoseactivitiesarehavinganimpactontheseedsectorinEurope.InVolume1Issue1wetookacloserlookatUPOVanditsdatabases.InthisissueyouwillindanupdateontheInternationalSeedTestingAssociationISTAanditsnewcategoryoIndustrymembership.Anothergoalothemagazineistoeaturedevelopmentsoccurringinaspecifccrop.TheEuropeanseedindustryisverydiverseromoragetoieldcropsvegetabletoornamen-talcropsandinthisissuewehavegiventhehonourtothetomato.Wehaveaskedseveralseedcompaniestosharewithustheirlatestinnovationsinthisimportantcrop.LastbutnotleasttogetherwiththePolishSeedAssociationPINwearetakingacloserlookatPolishagricultureanditsseedindustryaswelookorwardtothenextISFWorldSeedCongresswhichwillbeheldinKrakowinMay.Welookorwardtoseeingmanyoyouthere.MarcelBruinseditorialdirectorEuropeanSeedmbruinsissuesink.comWTheEuropeanseedindustryisverydiversefromforagetofieldcrops... SeedIndustryNewsDeliveredDirectlytoYourInboxFeaturingindustrynewsvideosandarticlesthatdiveintoimportantseed-industryissues.storyoftheweekSubscribeateuropean-seed.comsubscribeIndustryNewsVideosImportantIssues www.seedgrowth.bayer.comYOUNEVERWORKALONEJOINUSATISF2015KRAKOW AtBayerCropSciencewetakeproductstewardshipveryseriously.Wesupplyhigh-qualityseed-appliedsolutionsincombinationwiththebestmanagementpracticesaroundtheworld.Webelievethatfocusingonriskmitigationinnovationandpartnershipsiscrucialforsustainableagriculturetomaximizeyieldandavoidnegativeimpactonhumanhealthandtheenvironment.OurfullyintegratedsystemwithfourfoldcompetenceBayerSeedGrowthallowsastewardshipapproachthatoffersyousupportinwhateverpartyouplayintheseedtreatmentbusiness.Soyouneverworkalone.ProductsWewantseedtreatmenttobesafefortheseedtheoperatorandtheenvironment.Sowerecontinuallyworkingonnewsolutionsandconcreterecommendationsforsafeusee.g.optimizedloadinganddosagewithourpartnersandcustomers.CoatingsOurcoatingslimitdust-offthroughimprovedformulationstailor-madefilmcoatingsandincreasedcustomerusage.ServicesBeforeduringandafterapplicationwesupportourcustomersinassumingresponsibilityforthemselvesbystandersandtheenvironmente.g.throughguidancepersonalprotectiveequipmentPPEtrainingmeasuresthebestbesthandlingstorageseedcleaningequipmenttreatmentandtransportpracticeswastemanagementadviceandcertification.EquipmentSinceourexpertiseinequipmentdesignisakeyfactorincorrecttreatmentpracticesweconsiderthisinourownmodelsandwealsocollaboratewithothermachinemanufacturerswhoshareourpassionforprovidingthebesttools. 8IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMVEGETABLESWITHTHEBASESLOADEDTHEVEGETABLEINDUSTRYSTEPSUPTOTHEPLATETOIMPROVEACCESSTOPLANTBREEDINGTRAITS.AFULLCOUNTFORheindustryhasbeendividedintotworivalteamsthoseinfavourofsuchpatentsandthosewhoarenot.Theproponentsstatethatthesepatentswillfosterinnovationknowledge-sharingandcontinuedinvestmentsinresearchanddevelopment.Thosewhoareagainstsuchpatentsarguethattheyareunnecessarybecauseoftheintellectualpropertyprotectionofferedbyplantbreedersrights.Theyalsoclaimthatpatentsimpedetheworkofbreedersthattheycannolongergainaccesstobiologicalmaterialsorcandosoonlyafteradelayoratahighcost.Manycompaniesrelyonaccesstogermplasmandthismakesthedebatehighlyrelevantforbreedingcompaniesthatdevelopnewplantvarieties.WhilethedebatescontinuetheInternationalLicensingPlatformILPVegetablewaslaunchedinNovember2014toshowcaseaproactiveandprogressivepathforward.Thisnewplatformiscomprisedofmembersfromthevegetablebreedingindustry.Elevencompanieswhichrepresentbothpublicly-tradedcompaniesandfamilybusinessesfromSwitzerlandGermanyJapanFranceandtheNetherlandsandcollectivelymorethan50percentoftheglobalvegetableseedmarkethaveworkedtogethertoestablishtheILP.ThemembercompaniesincludeAgrisemenBayerCropScienceNunhemsBejoZadenEnzaZadenHolland-SelectLimagrainVegetableSeedsLimgroupPopVriendRijkZwaanSyngentaTakiiMembershipisopentoallinterestedpartiesregardlessofwhethertheyownpatentsornot.Forseveralyearstherewerediscussionsinsocietyandpoliticsaboutthedesirabilityofpatentingbiologicalmaterialinrelationtoaccesstosuchmaterialforbreeding.AlsoinTHOSEWHOHAVEFOLLOWEDTHEDEBATESONINTELLECTUALPROPERTYINTHESEEDINDUSTRYMAYHAVENOTICEDTHEINCREASINGNUMBEROFDISCUSSIONSABOUTPATENTSONPLANTBREEDINGTRAITSOVERTHEPASTYEARSESPECIALLYINEUROPE.BYMARCELBRUINS EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEANSEEDI9theplantbreedingindustrythisdiscussiontookplaceleadingtostatementsandpositionpapersotheorganisationsactiveinthebreedingsectorlikeISFESAandPlantumILPmanagingdirectorChrisvanWindensays.ElevenvegetablebreedingcompaniestooktheinitiativestimulatedbytheDutchParliamenttoinvestigateasystemthatwouldhelptosaeguardworldwideaccesstobiologicalmaterialthatiscoveredbypatentsotheircompetitors.Duringaperiodoaroundouryearsdiscussionsandnegotiationstookplaceinasteeringcommitteethatconsistedothe11vegetablebreedingcompanies.ThesuccessulresultwastheormationotheILP.PRACTICALSOLUTIONSMembercompaniesconcur.SyngentaisproudtobeaoundingmemberotheInternationalLicensingPlatormandweullysupportthisnewbusinessassociationtoimproveaccesstoanduseoplantbreedingtraitsorvegetablesSyngentalicensingheadLeoMelcherssays.TheILPprovidesastraightorwardeasywayorvegetablebreederstolicensetheinnovativetraitstheyneedataairandreasonablecost.LikeSyngentase-licensingplatormwww.traitability.comtheILPshowsthatpracticalsolutionscanbeoundbyindustryplayerswhichbalancetheneedortheinnovationincentivesopatentswiththeneedtoensureaccesstocrucialbiologicalmaterialortheplantbreedingcommunity.TheILPwillhelpplantbreedersbringnewproductstothemarketthatmeetdemandsromgrowersandconsumersandthathelpstheworldaddressoodsecurity.TheaimotheILPistoprovideaneasywayorvegetablebreedersaroundtheworldtolicensethetraitstheyneedintheirbreedingactivitiesatairandreasonablecostsothattheycanbringnewproductstothemarketthatmeetthedemandsromgrowersandconsumers.Weareavegetablebreedingcompanyaimingtodevelopthebestvegetablevarieties.InordertobeabletoprovidethemarketwithgoodnewvarietiesweneedaccesstobiologicalmaterialavailableinthemarketandothergeneticresourceslikegenebanksBenTaxmanagingdirectoroRijkZwaanintheNetherlandssays.IthisaccessisblockedbecauseitscoveredbyapatentclaimdevelopersarehinderedindevelopingnewvarietiesTaxnotes.Ingeneralinnovationwillbesloweddownwhichisbadortheentiresectorandorthetotalworldsoodsupply.ThemembersotheILPguaranteetheothermembersaccesstobiologicalmaterialcoveredbytheirpatentsatreasonableprices.Andthesereasonablepriceswillbedeterminedbyindependentexperts.ThemembersotheILParerequiredtomakealltheirpatentsrelatedtovegetablebreedingtraitsincludingpublishedapplicationsaccessibletotheirellowmembersundertheconditionsotheILP.AccordingtoMichaelKockheadointellectualpropertyorSyngentatheILPisimportantormanydierentreasons.Firstandmaybemostimportantitdemonstratesthatpatentsasincentiveortechnicalinnovationsinplantscienceandreeaccesstobreedingmaterialarenotanunresolvablecontradictionhesays.TheILPisbasedontheprinciplereeaccessbutnotorreewhichprovidesopenaccessoraairbeneitsharingwiththeinnovator.WehopethattheILPasaconstructivesolutioncouldbearolemodelorhowtore-aligntheseedindustrytoreduceinternaldebatesandreeupenergyorthebigchallengesthatlayaheadousorexampledevelopingnewvarietiesthatmeetconsumerdemandsdeliverhigheryieldsandhelparmersdealwithclimatechange.Seconditprovidesaplatormorhowwecanoerandaccessplant-relatedinventionsinaverypragmaticwaywithlowtransactionalcostsandunderairreasonableandtransparentconditions.AccordingtoMelchersthelicenseeesareonlypaidonceanewvarietyderivingromthepatentisbeingbroughttomarket.TheILPissetuptobecomethemaintradingplatormorvegetable-relatedpatentinventionsandarolemodelorestablishinganopenIPregimeintheseedindustry.SIMPLEANDTRANSPARENTTheILPslicensingsystemissimpletrans-parentandoperatesatlowtransactioncostsi.e.usingstandardcontracts.Iamemberwantstotakealicensetouseaellowmem-berspatentedinventionthetwopartiesbeginbilateralnegotiations.Inoagreementisreachedwithinthreemonthsthecaseissubmittedtoindependentexperts.Theinnovativeaspectothesystemisthemeth-ododecision-makingbytheindependentexperts.Itusesabaseballarbitrationmodelwherebybothpartiessubmittheirlicenseeeproposaltotheindependentexpertswhothenchooseonlythemostreasonableproposalamongthetwobutcannotmedi-ateacompromise.Thisorcesbothpartiestoadoptreasonablepositionsromtheoutsetbecauseanunreasonablepositionwillberejectedinavouroamorereasonablecompetingproposalandthelosingpartywillneedtopaythecostsothearbitrationprocess.Oncetheexpertssetalicenseeethiseeiscommunicatedtoallotherpartiestoincreasetransparency.AllmembershaveilledoutapatentregistrationormandallmembersotheILPhavereceivedinormationaboutthelistoregisteredpatentsWindensays.Atthismomentaround120patentsareinthesystem.InthefrstgeneralmeetingotheILPitwasdecidedthattheinormationaboutthepatentswouldbepubliclyavailableandsoonitwillbeclearhowmanyandwhichpatentsareincluded.Howeverthisisnotall.InadditiontopatentspertainingtotraitsalsopatentsgrantedonplantvarietiesassucharecoveredbytheILP.InpracticethisonlyappliestoU.S.patentsasinEuropeplantvarietiesassuchareexcludedrompatentability.Howeverinsteadothebaseballprocedureaso-callednon-assertprovisionappliesortheuseopatentedmaterialorbreedingpurposes.ThiscreatesakindobreedersexemptionundertheU.S.patentsprovidedthattheresultingnewvarietiesthatarebredbyusingtheprotectedvarietyaresufcientlydierentromthatprotectedvariety.ThesepatentswillnotbeincludedintheregisterChrisvanWindenILPmanagingdirector.THEILPPROVIDESASTRAIGHTFORWARDEASYWAYFORVEGETABLEBREEDERSTOLICENSETHEINNOVATIVETRAITSTHEYNEEDATAFAIRANDREASONABLECOST. 10IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMasitisnotthatdifculttolookthesepatentsupinpublicpatentdatabases.Inanycasethenumberothesepatentswillexceedthenumberopatentspertainingtotraits.Thisnon-assertismutualbutreeochargeandrequiresasimplenotifcationtothepatentee.WhatdoesTaxandhiscompanyhopetogainromtheprocessForourselvesbroaderaccesstobiologicalmaterialwhichweneedtocontinuetodeveloptopvegetablevarietieshesaysandortheentiresectortoavoidseriouslimitationsoopeninnovationwhichalwayshasbeenasuccessactorandcouldberealizedbyapplyingthebreedersexemptionasincorporatedinthePlantBreedersRightssystem.MichaelKocksaysSyngentamightbeoneothefrstusersotheILP.TheILPhastwopillarshesays.UnderPillar1companiescanobtainlicensestopatentedvegetablecharacteristicsinaneasywayorareasonableee.UnderPillar2themembercompaniesagreetoamutualnon-assertundervarietypatentsthisestablishesabreedersexemptionorpatent-protectedvarieties.Thisnon-assertisreeochargeandrequiresasimplenotifcationtothepatentee.Syngentahasalreadymadeuseothisandsenttwonotifcations.WehopethattheILPbecomesthetradingplatormorvegetablerelatedpatentinventionsandaprovenmodelohowtoestablishanopenIPregimeintheseedindustry.Obviouslywithanysuchtypeoindustrycooperationanti-trustlawsneedtobetakenintoaccount.Thediscussionsinthesteeringcommitteetookplaceinaverypositiveatmosphere.Animportantpointduringalldiscussionswasthatthesystemandlicenseagreementmustbeincompliancewithcompetitionlaw.ThereorealawirmwithspecializedknowledgeonallaspectsocompetitionlawguidedthewholeprocessVanWindensays.InadditionarepresentativeotheDutchgovernmentwaspresentinthesteeringcommitteemeetings.AttheendothediscussionslawirmsintheEUandU.S.assessedtheresultandconcludedthattheILPisincompliancewiththecompetitionlawsintheEUandU.S.GROWINGTHEILPThe11membercompaniesrepresentmorethan50percentotheglobalvegetableseedmarket.ForcompanieswishingtogetalicenseorapatentcoveringbiologicalmaterialooneothemembersotheILPmembershipintheILPmeansguaranteedaccesstothesepatentsunderairandreasonablecosts.Thelicensingsystemissimplesothecostswillbelowandthedurationotheprocessislimited.AlllegalentitiescanbeamemberevenianentitydoesnotownpatentsvanWindenadds.Thecurrentmemberswouldliketheassociationtogrow.ThemorecompanieswithrelevantpatentswhojointheILPthebettersoopeninnovationcanbecontinuedwhichisintheinterestotheentiresectorandsocietyTaxsays.SyngentaconcursWehopethatnotonlycompaniesbutalsouniversitiesandagriculturalresearchinstituteswilljointheILP.ForuniversitiestheILPwouldbeagreatopportunitytomaketheirplant-relatedinnovationsavailableatlowtransactioncoststomanyplayersKockadds.MembersotheILPhavetopayanannualcontributioneetotheplatormthatcoversallcostsomembership.Thecurrentannualcontributioneewhichmaybereducedimoremembersjoinis7500orsmallcompanies500employeesILPisauniquesystemandnotcomparablewithanyothersystemorinitiative.Inthissystemthemembershavetheobligationtobringinalltheirrelevantpatents.Thisisdierentrome-licensingplatormssetupbyindividualcompanies.Alsothesystemissimpleandtransparentandthemethododecision-makingisveryinnovativevanWindensays.WhiletheaimothePintodatabaseestablishedbyESApinto.euroseeds.euistoprovidetransparencyoinormationaboutwhichvarietiesareactuallycoveredbyapatenttheILPsaimistooerguaranteedaccesstoallpatentscoveringbiologicalmaterialotheILPmembers.ForthemomentthiskindolicensingplatormexistsonlyorvegetablecropsbutvanWindensaysthatcouldchange.DuringthelaunchotheILPatasymposiumlastNovemberinWageningentherewasalotointerestrombreedersoutsidethevegetablesectorespeciallytheornamentalsector.ItisuptoothersectorstodecidewhethertheinitiativeothevegetablesectorwillbeollowedandocourseisotheILPisquitewillingtosharetheirexperienceswiththeprocesstoestablishasimilarsystemortheirowncrops.ButastheILPisspecifcallydesignedorvegetablecropsitisnotexpectedthatothersectorswouldbeanewbranchotheILP.TheILPwasormedtoshowthatproactivesolutionscanbeoundthatbalancetheneedorcontinuedinnovationwiththeneedtoensureaccesstobeneicialplantbreedinginnovationsMelcherssays.JOININGILPVEGETABLEALLINTERESTEDCOMPANIESUNIVERSITIESORINSTITUTESREGARDLESSOFWHETHERTHEYOWNPATENTSORNOTAREWELCOMETOBECOMEANILPMEMBER.INTERESTEDPARTIESSHOULDCONTACTCHRISVANWINDENMANAGING.DIRECTORILP-VEGETABLE.ORGFORMOREINFORMATIONONHOWTOJOINTHEILP.Thevegetableindustryhasidentifiedthataccesstobiologicalmaterialiscriticaltofuturedevelopmentofinnovativenewvarieties. 12IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMneachissueEuropeanSeedtakesacloserlookatoneothemanycropsthatourEuropeanplantbreedersareworkingon.Inthisissuewereputtingthetomatointhespotlightandtalkingwithseveralvegetablebreedingcompaniestolearnwhattheirbreedingchallengesareandwhatkindoinnovationstheyareworkingon.WeaskedfveindustryexpertsortheiropinionsSemillasFittomatoproductmanagerSalvadorPeramoRijkZwaantomatobreedingmanagerMartijnEgginkVilmorinSAresearchmanagerJean-PaulGuinebretiereEnzaZadencropresearchdirectorKeesKnstandSemillasFittomatobreedingheadGermanAnastasio.EUROPEANSEEDWhatarethemainchallengesthatcompaniesarefacingintomatobreedingSalvadorPeramoMaintainingtheyieldincreaseswhileclearlyimprovingtheruitqualityparticularlytheinternalqualitysuchastasteareamongtheirmostimportantchallenges.MartijnEgginkImprovingyieldtasteandshellieincreasingdiversityanddevelopingnewdiseaseresistanceswouldconstitutethemainchallengesotheglobaltomatoprogram.Jean-PaulGuinebretiereThetomatoisaglobalcrop.AtVilmorinwearenotbreedingorallslotsormarketsliketheupper48DutchGHorprocessingmarketsorcherrytypes.Neverthelesswehavetheambitiontobecomeaworldwideplayer.Sothemainchallengesweareacingareontheonesidehowtoorganiseaglobalbreedingteamwhichismanagedbyoneseniorbreederwithoutorwithonlylimitedbarriersbetweenthelocalteamsworkingorlocalmarkets.Ontheothersidenewtechnologiessuchasbiotechnologybioinormaticsandbiostatisticsandtechniquessuchashigh-throughputphenotypingareboostingthetraditionalwaysobreeding.Thechallengeliesintheintegrationothesetechniquesandinthemanagementoalldata.Inadditionintellectualpropertyissuesarealsoabigconcerntryingtofndagoodbalancebetweenadeensiveandanoensivestrategy.TheGoldenAppleoftheVegetableIndustryAcloserlookattomatobreedinganditschallenges.ByMarcelBruinsandLindsayHoffmanJudgingtomatoqualityinthegreenhouse.PhotocourtesyofEnzaZaden EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEANSEEDI13Anotherchallengeishowtoacilitateandcultivateinnovationsinsuchabigmarket.Andlastbutnotleasttodealwithnewregulationsinseedexchangeswhichcomplicatethebreedingprocesses.KeesKnstConsumersarebecomingmorecriticalanddemandtastyoodohighquality.Theyalsolookormorevariationdiversication.Ourchallengeistoprovidethemwithawiderangeohigh-qualitygood-tastingtomatoes.High-qualitymeansalsobeingreeopesticideresiduessoweneedtobringvarietiesonthemarketwithgoodresistancepackages.ESAsinpracticallyeverybreedingprogramofanycropbreedingfordiseaseresistanceisoneofthemostimportantifnotthemostimportantbreedinggoal.WhichdiseasesaremosttroublesomeandarethereanynewdiseasesthatweshouldbeawareofJPGOcoursediseaseresistanceisoneothemostimportantthingsacingthecrop.Wearealsoseeingnewproblemsromvirusesnematodesungiandbacteria.Bacteriamaybeabigissueinthenearuturebecausethereareonlyaewstrategiesandgeneticresourcesavailabletousatthemoment.MEClassiyingwhichdiseasesaremosttroublesomeisrelatedtotheproductionregionandcultivationmethod.Inhigh-techtomatocultivationintheNetherlandsweareworkingtoimproveresistanceagainstpowderymildewOidiumlycopersici.IwelookatorganiccultivationontheotherhandweseethatleamouldcausedbyCladosporiumulvumsynonymFulviaulvaisanimportantproblem.Severalresistancegeneshavebeenbreachedbyanewstrain.Wedevelopedvarietieswithresistanceagainstthisnewstrain.Inproductionareaswheregrowersuselessheatinggasandinareaswithabigdierencebetweendayandnight-timetemperatureshumidityinsidethegreenhousecanbecometoohigh.IntheseareasweseethatlateblightPhythophthorainestansbecomesabiggerproblem.Thatiswhyweworkonbreedingresistantvarieties.Diseaseresistanceisvitaltosecureyieldsandcancontributetodecreasingtheuseochemicalcropprotectionintomatocultivation.KKIagreethatindierentgeographicareasandcropsystemsprotectedhydroponicssoilopeneldetc.therearedierentpestscausingproblems.Agoodresistancepackagereducespesticideuseandgivessecuritytoagrower.Thediseasesthataremosttroublesomearetheonesthatarediculttocontrolandcausereallybiglossesotenobligingthegrowertouselargeamountsopesticides.Themainonesarethebegomovirusestransmittedbywhitefieslateblightbacterialwiltandbacterialspot.Bacterialwiltandspotareaectingtheopeneldtomatocropsinthesub-tropicalareas.Besidesthesediseasestherearealsosomeinsectsdoingalotodamagetotheshellieandmarketabilityotomatoruits.OverthelastcoupleoyearsthemothTutaabsolutahasspreadromSouthAmericatootherpartsintheworlddoingharmtotomatocrops.Alsoothernewdiseasesorresistancebreakingstrainsoknowndiseasesarekeepingourbreedersbusy.TherearenewracesothemildewFulviaulvaandOidiumneolycopersicianothermildewbecomingmorewidespread.WithrespecttorootdiseasesweseeusariumcrownrootrotbecomingaseriousproblemineldcropsinEasternEuropecentralAsiaandtheMiddleEastvarietieswithresistanceandadaptedtotheseareasareneeded.AnotherrootdiseaseisthecrazyrootgrowthcausedbyAgrobacteriumrhizogenesinhydroponiccrops.Alsonewresistance-breakingnematodestrainsdamagetomatocropsincertainareas.Withregardstovirusesbesidesthealready-mentionedbegomovirusestherearealotoothervirusesandsomeviroidscausingproblemsintomato.Itisclearthathavingtherightresistanceinavarietyandgoodreliableproductionisimportant.Astomatoesaregrownallovertheworldunderdierentconditionsbreedersworkhardtomakevarietiesadaptedtoawiderangeoconditionsandcultivationtypes.Importantworkisbeingdonetomakevarietiesbetteradaptedtoextremetemperatureshighandlowsalinitydroughtandhighhumidity.GermanAnastasioTheclimaticchangewearewitnessingishavinganimpactonthediseasesthataectthetomatocrop.WeareseeingthatsomeoliardiseasessuchasOidiumStemphyliumandFulviaarebecomingmoreprevalent.Howevervirusesarestillthemainlimitingactorgeminiviruswithitsrequentrecombinationandhighlyeectivetransmissionbywhitefiesisalwaysathreatthatcanovercometheresistancegeneswearedealingwithcurrently.Atthesametimethereistheriskoanoutbreakoanewunknowndiseasewhichisalwaystheworstscenario.ESBesidesresistancethereareofcoursenumerousotherbreedingtargets.WhatareyouworkingonMEWearecontinuouslyimprovingtheyieldoourvarieties.Increasingcropyieldsisaprerequisiteoreedingtheworldpopulationandacrucialactortosaeguardtomatogrowerscompetitiveness.Wedonotintroducevarietiesthatdontmeetourqualitystandards.Ineverysegmentourchallengeistocombineagoodyieldwithgoodqualityandtaste.Tosecureayear-roundsupplytomatoessometimeshavetobetransportedoverlongdistances.ForexampleromthesouthoEuropetonorthwestEuropeandromTurkeytoRussia.Inthesecasesagoodshellieminimumthreeweeksisessentialagainwiththechallengetocombinethiswithagoodtaste.JPGWecantorgetyieldearlinessandruitqualitybutconsumersarealsorequestingtomatoesthatarehealthiertastebetterandareinnovativeproductswhicharenotsoneworusbutquitediculttotackleatabreedinglevel.ESWhataretheinnovationsthatyourtomatobreedersarebringingtothemarketMEWearecontinuouslyworkingonabroadassortmentandkeepondevelopingnewproductslikenewsnacktomatoeswithnewshapesandcolours.WehaverecentlyintroducedtwoinnovativetomatoconceptstheSilkyPinkandInternalRedtomatovarieties.PinktomatoesarewellknowninAsiancountriesbutquitenewintherestotheworld.ThereoreRijkZwaanintroducedthelabelSilkyPink.ThedistinctivecolourandjuicyfeshothesesweetruittomatoesastheyarecalledinJapanoergrowersandretailersinterestingopportunitiestoenternewmarkets.InternalRedtomatoeshaveadarkredcolorandadeepredcorewhatgivesthematastyandhealthyappearance.ThistraitwaspickedupbyRijkZwaanbreedersandiscurrentlyavailableinourtomatoassortment.Thedistinctivelookcangiveapositiveimpressiontotheimageothetomato.SilkyPinktomato.RijkZwaanInternalRedtomatoes.RijkZwaan 14IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMGAIbelievethattheutureotheindustryistosatisythemarketchain.Uptonowmuchotheemphasisinplantbreedingwasocusedonmaximisingyieldthatsatisesthegrowers.Lateronpostharveststorabilitywasaccomplishedanddistributersbeneted.Nowitstheconsumersturntobenetbykeepingtheormeraccomplishmentsine-tunedwithnewtraits.Speciicallythisisourtargetandourvarietiesaretailoredwiththeseprinciples.WhenaskedconsumersalwayschooseourgreenharvestbeetomatoEgaraastheavouritetobuyagain.AnotherexamplewouldbetheclustertomatoAteneowhichprovidesabettertasteandismeetingproductiondemands.Asyoucanseewearebringingthefavourbeyondthecherrytypes.JPGWithoutanyhesitationtheelongatedtomatoesorthereshmarketshavebeenamajorinnovationbroughtbythecompany.GreenharvestbeeftomatoEgara.SemillasFitClustertomatoAteneo.SemillasFitTomAzurfromEnzaZaden.ESHowareyourtomatobreedershelpingtomeetthedemandsofgrowersandconsumersGASinceitsinceptionSemillasFithasinvestedheavilyinresearchdevelopmentandinnovationtoenhanceitscatalogueoseedvarieties.ButwhatreallysetsthecompanyapartromothercompaniesintheindustryishowtheyhaveocusedRDeortsromdayoneonlocalneedsineachield.ThusRDinvestmentsatSemillasFitaimtobenetproducersbyimprovingproductionplantresistanceandruitqualitydistributorsbyextendingproductliewithoutlosingqualityandconsumersbyenhancingallaspectsrelatedtotheproductslooktasteandtexture.Proximitytothemarketisimportanttoourcompany.Wekeepinrequentcontactwithourcustomersincludinggrowerspackersanddistributionchain.Theyprovidetherawinormationthatisusedtodenethebreedinggoalsorourbreeders.Wealsoavourthedirectexposureoourbreederstomarketorces.KKAtEnzaZadenwebelievethatourbreedershavetobepresentinthemarkettounderstandallthedemandsandtrendssowecanworktogetherwithourclientstocreatenewandinnovativeproducts.Withthispro-activeapproachwewouldliketoaddextravaluetothewholechainromgrowertoconsumer.ForexamplethreeyearsagotheSpanishbreedingteamoundtherstredcocktailvarietydeliveringexcellenttastethroughouttheSpanishgrowingseasonshotorcolduniormruitsetandbeautiulproductpresentation.TogetherwithaselectedgroupoclientsEnzaZadenlaunchedthebrandTomAzurorthesevarietiestodayavailableinmanyleadingEuropeansupermarkets.In2013EnzaZadenlaunchedayellowcocktailtomatointheU.S.whichhasatasteequaltotheleadingredcocktailtomatoes.Attheendo2013weoundoutthatourvarietyAvalantinowasexceedingthemarketstandardinallitsaspects.TodaywehaveaselectgroupoclientsintroducingAvalantinointhelarge-vinesegmentandwithsuccess.Retailclientsareembracingtheconcept.JPGThroughourmarketingdepartmentweocusonmarketanalysisandollowingconsumertrendsbutsometimesbreedersarealsoinvitedtoproposeancyproductswhichcancreatenewmarkets.MEDevelopingnewvarietiesthattlocalcircumstancescontributestoanincreasedavailabilitythroughouttheyearwithastablequalityandtaste.Newtomatotypessnacksizesbettertastemoreshapesandcolourscaninspirechesretailersandconsumersandcontributetohighervegetableconsumptionandhealthierliestyles.Weaimtoconnecttothesegroupsovegetableusersbymeansodirectandindirectcommunicationandthuslearnabouttheirhabitsandpreerences.AnexampleisouronlinesocialplatormLoveMySalad.com.ThecontentothisinormativesiteiswrittenbyandorsaladloversromallovertheworldandlinkedtoaFacebookpagewithmorethan170000ollowers. EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEANSEEDI15ThespeciesSolanumlycopersicummemberothenightshadeamilyoriginatedintheSouthAmericanAndesandspreadthroughouttheworldollowingtheSpanishcolonisationotheAmericasanditsmanythousandsovarietiesarenowwidelygrown.ItsarrivalinEuropeisdisputed.SomestatethatSpanishconquistadorHernnCortsmayhavebeenthefrsttotransersmallyellowtomatoestoEuropein1521.SomebelieveChristopherColumbusmayhavetakenthembackasearlyas1493.TheearliestdiscussionothetomatoinEuropeanliteratureappearedinaherbalwrittenin1544byPietroAndreaMattiolianItalianphysicianandbotanistwhosuggestedthatanewtypeoeggplanthadbeenbroughttoItalythatwasbloodredorgoldencolour.Howeveritwasnotuntil10yearslaterthattomatoeswerenamedinprintbyMattioliaspomidoroorgoldenapple.In2012tomatoproductionwasvaluedat58billionandtomatoesweretheeighthmostvaluableagriculturalproductworldwide.AccordingtoFAOSTATtheTop5producersotomatoeswereChinaIndiatheU.S.SpainandEgypt.Fusiontomato.VilmorinSirElyantomato.VilmorinYellowcocktailtomato.EnzaZadenOriginsandMarketShareITSNOTABOUTWHETHERORNOTWEDOSOCIALMEDIAITSABOUTHOWWELLWEDOIT.EUROPEANSEEDEUROPEANSEED 16IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMnordertogetaclearpictureowhenandwhytheEuropeanSeedTreatmentAssuranceESTAschemewassetupweneedtogobackintimeabit.OnMay152008theGermanFederalOiceorConsumerProtectionandFoodSaetyBVLresponsibleortheauthorisationoplantprotectionproductsinGermanydecidedtosuspendtheauthorisationsodeinedinsecticidesusedorseedtreatment.TheuseoseedtreatedwiththeseproductswassuspectedtobethecauseoanunusuallyhighmortalityrateohoneybeesobservedinasmallareainsouthwestGermanythatyear.FollowinginvestigationsitwasconirmedthatthebeeshaddiedromexposuretoclothianidinanactivesubstancecontainedinaplantprotectionproductPPPusedasseedtreatmentormaizeinGermany.ThemaincausalactorwasidentifedasincorrectapplicationothePPPincombinationwiththespecifcpneumaticsowingequipmentusedspecialweatherconditionsduringsowingandaspeciicdosageratethathadbeencompulsorytofghtthespreadodiabroticaapestcurrentlyspreadingthroughoutSouthernandCentralEurope.NewESTAschemeaddressestheneedforqualityassuranceduringtheapplicationofplantprotectionproductstoseedandsubsequenthandlingoftreatedseed.Theresultsotheanalysiscarriedoutindicatedthatunusuallyhighquantitiesoseedtreatmentdusthadbeenemittedintotheenvironmentduringsowingasaresultotheabrasionocornseedtreatmentrombatchesthathadnotbeencorrectlyappliedtotheseed.Thedritotheabradedmaterialwasamplifedbytheuseocertainpneumaticcorn-sowingmachinesthatallowedthematerialtobedispersedintotheairaswellasbythedrynessothesoilandstrongwindsduringsowing.Thisdispersedtheseedtreatmentsactiveingredienttoneighbouringieldsrequentedbybees.ThebeeincidentinGermanyunderlinedthatthequalityotheseedtreatmentapplicationisessentialtohelptoavoidseriousadverseimpactontheenvironmentandthateachpartothechainneedstoassumespeciicqualityassuranceresponsibilityESTAmanagerAmaliaKakasays.Followingthisincidentin20092010theEuropeanSeedAssociationESAstarteddevelopingtheESTAschemeorqualityassuranceduringtheapplicationoplantprotectionproductstoseedandthehandlingotreatedseed.Theschemewasdevelopedwiththecollaborationotheseedindustrythecropprotectionindustryandthenationalauthorities.TAKINGAIMESTAcombinesanumberoelementstoguaranteeproessionalhigh-qualityseedtreatingapplicationsdeinedqualityreerencevalueswithauniormtestingprotocolsaeuseinormationandrespectivelabelingorusers.TheESTAlogomaybeawardedtocompaniescomplyingwiththeschemeanditsstandardsandauditedandaccreditedaccordinglyKakasays.Itprovidesaqualityassurancesystemtoensurethattheprocessotreatingseedsandtheresultingtreatedseedmeetrequire-mentsdeinedbylegislatorsandindustry.Seedtreatmentsandtheirapplicationcombineprecisionandlowdosesoactiveingredientamountstomaximizeefcacyandensuremin-imalenvironmentalimpact.JamesWallaceotheU.K.sDaltonSeedsaormerboardmemberotheAgriculturalIndustriesConederationAICandmemberotheESASTATWorkingGroupisveryclearabouttheESTAsystem.SEEDTRADERESPONDSTOPUBLICCONCERNS EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEANSEEDI17Theseedindustrymustrecognisethatsocietyneedstobesurepesticidesareusedcorrectlyandsaelyorpeopleandtheenvironment.TheEUhasestablishedcontrolsortheapplicationooliarappliedchemicalsandtheCommissionDratGuidanceDocumentproposessimilarmonitoringoseedtreatmentapplications.ESTAprovidestheseedindustrywithaschemeorensuringthesecontrolsareappropriateortheeectiveandeicientapplicationoPPPandarenotaburdenonourbusinesses.KakaaddsCompaniescertiiedtotheESTAstandardreliablytreatseedwithplantprotectionproductsresultinginqualityproductstreatedseedortheultimateuserarmergrowerplantraiserorcontractor.TheESTAcertifcationprovideskeyassurancesoullcontrolotheprocessesortreatingseedscontinualimprovementoprocessesandstandardsandadequatelyandwell-trainedpersonnel.ESTAcertiiesthatonlyseedmeetingagreedqualitystandardsisbeingputonthemarket.ESTAasanindependently-auditedtradeassuranceschemeprovidesacost-eectivewayoensuringhighstandardsoproductapplicationtomeetpublicandcustomerdemandsWallaceadds.Itscost-eectivetotheindustrybyensuringtherequirementsarepracticalandnotaburden.Itisalsocost-eectiveorregulatorsbyusinganindustry-operatedschemesubjecttoindependentauditingtoensurecompliance.ESTASBENEFITSCompaniesbeneftgreatlyromjoiningtheESTAscheme.KlausSchlnderheadobusinessdevelopmentoilcropsorKWSsaysTheESTAmembershipshowsthattheseedindustrycaresaboutqualitywhichmeansitcaresabouttheenvironmentandarmersasend-users.ThebeneitKWShasreceivedistodeliverseedswithhigh-qualityseedtreatmentwhichiscontrolledandcertiiedwithintheschemebyanindependentorganisationandthattheschemeisacceptedbytheauthorities.WallacenotestherearenumerousbeneftstotheESTAsystemAssuranceotop-qualityseedtreatmentapplicationAccurateandconsistentapplicationoseedtreatmentproductsisessentialorbotheicacyandthesaetyooperatorsandtheenvironment.Ensuringthisisachievedandthatitiscontinuallybeingimprovedisvitalorasuccessulseedbusiness.IndependentauditingtoassurecustomersandthepublicReassurancethattheapplicationopesticidesisdonesaelyandcorrectlyisimportanttocustomersandthepublic.ESTAprovidesorcertifcationoseedtreatmentacilitiesbyindependentproessionalauditors.SecuringtheuturesupplyoseedtreatmentproductsByprovidingassuranceoproessionalapplicationauthoritiescanapprovenewproductswiththeknowledgetheywillbeappliedcorrectly.ThedratEUguidancedocumentproposestheestablishmentoschemesorthenationalcertifcationoseedtreatmentacilities.AvoidimplementationocostlyregulationsItheauthoritiesareconcernedaboutthesaetyotheapplicationprocesstheycouldimposecostlyregulationsontheseedtrade.AssuranceschemessuchasESTAhavebeeneectiveinavoidingtheimpositionocumbersomeregulationswithinagricultureEnsurethereemovementotreatedseedwithintheEUESTAwillprovideEU-wideacceptedstandardsorseedtreatment.ThisisespeciallyimportantwheresmallquantitiesoseedaretreatedinonecountryorwiderdistributionthroughouttheEUorexampleoilseedrapeandvegetableseedsWallacesays.Theseedindustrymustrecognisethatsocietyneedstobesurepesticidesareusedcorrectlyandsafelyforpeopleandtheenvironment.AmaliaKafkaESTAmanagerAPPLYINGFORESTACERTIFICATIONThewayinwhichacompanyappliesorESTAcertifcationdependsonthecountry.InFranceGermanyPolandSpainandtheU.K.ESTAisoperatedbynationalagents.Iasiteislocatedinoneothesecountriesthecompanyshouldcontactthenationalagentoitscountry.TheagentsareasollowsFranceUnionFranaisedesSemenciersUFSGermanySeedGuardPolandPolskaIzbaNasiennaPolishSeedTradeAssociationPINSpainANOVEU.K.AgriculturalIndustriesConederationAICThenationalagentshavethespeciicinrastructureknowledgeandcompetenceandcooperatewithESAintheimplementationotheESTAschemeintheirterritory.ThenationalagentsdealwithitheacceptanceoESTACertiyingBodiesCBandiithelicensingotheESTAtrademarktoESTA-certifedtreatmentsiteslocatedintheterritory.PhotocourtesyofSyngenta.Treatedseedstewardshiphasbeenahottopicinrecentyearsduetotopicssuchaspollinatorhealth. 18IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMIasiteislocatedinanyothercountryitshouldcontactanaccreditedCBandplantheaudit.AterthesuccessulaudittheCBwillsendtheESTACerticatetoESAandthenthesitewillneedtosigntheStandardLicenseAgreementwithESAwhichwillallowtheuseotheESTAlogoKakasays.GermanseedcompanyKWShasrecentlyjoinedESTA.SeedqualityhasalwaysbeenanimportantissuewithinKWSsowhentheopportunitywaspresentedtogetanindependentindustry-drivensysteminplaceitwasclearthatKWSshouldjointhesystemSchlndersays.ForKWStheadvantagesincludedProcess-drivenauditandcerticationAcceptanceothesystembytheauthoritiesSustainableapproachascontinuousimprovementisoneimportantpillarintheschemeSchemeismorefexibleinimplementationandapplicationonewtechnologieswhichisarequirementorallparticipants.AssoonasacompanydecidestojoinESTAseveralchangesneedtobemadewithinthecompany.WithinKWSwehaveanongoingQASqualityassuranceschemethatisregularlyauditedunderISO9001.ByimplementingtheESTAschemewewereobligedtoadaptcertainpartstothenewchecklistandimplementurthertestingmethodsliketheHeubachTestinourlaboratorytogetherwiththenecessarytrainingothepersonnelinvolved.OtherprocessstepshadtobemodiedinrespecttothesupplychainmanagementtoulilltheESTArequirementsSchlndersays.UPTAKEBYLEGISLATORSTheESTAschemehasbeenverywell-receivedbytheEUCommissionandthememberstates.Theseconddratotheguidancedocumentortheauthorisationoplantprotectionproductsorseedtreatmentreerstoguidancedocumentsthatshouldbeusedtoassessthequalityotheseedtreatmentprocessandthequalityothetreatedseed.ESTAisacknowledgedasoneotheseseedtreatmentprocesscerticationsystemsKakasays.ESTAhasbeendesignedtobecompatiblewiththenationalqualityassurancesystemsinFrancePQPandinGermanySeedGuard.Thesitesthatarecertiedortheabove-mentionedschemescanalsobeconsideredESTAcertied.TheexperienceoAICintheU.K.isthatinrespondingtoissuesoconcerntothepublicandpoliticiansregardingagriculturalproductswehaveestablishedtradeassuranceschemesmanagedbytheindustry.Thesehaveallowedustoensuretheyarepracticalandcost-eectivetoimplement.AsaresultwehaveavoidedexpensiveregulationsbeingimposedonusandpreventedmanyotheoodsaetyandproductsecurityincidentsoccurringintheU.K.Wallacesays.ESTAIMPLEMENTATIONINTHEEUWithintherstyearotheimplementationoESTAthenumberocertiedsiteshasmorethandoubled.InGermanyandFrancethecoverageinmaizeseedtreatmentisbetween80to90percentandinoilseedrapebetween80to100percent.ESAisconvincedthatthenewnationalagentsoESTAinSpainandPolandwilldenitelysupporttheurtherimple-mentationotheschemeintheseregionsoEuropeKakasays.InourbusinesswehaveusedESTAcertiicationtodemonstratethatweapplyseedtreatmentstothehigheststandardtoallourseedproducts.LikemostseedcompaniesinthepastweappliedseedtreatmenttotopstandardsbuthadtheoccasionalqualityissueWallaceadds.Whenweanalysedourpro-cessesunderESTAweoundtherewereareaswherewewerenoteectivelymon-itoringandcontrollingsomekeystagesandwithindependentauditswenowhaveensuredthereliabilityoourprocesses.Schlnderwouldcertainlyrecom-mendothercompaniesjointheESTAsystem.ByanymeansIrecommendothercompaniestoollowastheESTAschemeisatooltoensurethequalityoprocessandproducttomaintainexist-ingPPPsregisteredtogetnewproductsregisteredandtokeepanopenexchangewiththeauthorities.WhileESTAisotoagreatstartur-therimprovementsarealwaysnecessary.Asindicatedcontinuousimprove-mentisanimportantpillarintheESTAscheme.Soweareworkingonextend-ingtherangeospeciescoveredandareadaptingwhatwelearnromthedierentcommentsromstakeholderstomakethesystemaseectiveaspossibleSchlnderadds.InourbusinesswehaveusedESTAcertificationtodemonstratethatweapplyseedtreatmentstothehigheststandardtoallourseedproducts.PhotocourtesyofBayerCropScience.ESTAcertifiedsitesaregrowinginnumberacrossEurope.PhotocourtesyofBASFSE. 20IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM20IUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEANSEED.COince1994theConventiononBiologicalDiversityhasbeeninorceandoneothepillarsoitisaccessandbeneitsharing.CountrieshavesovereignrightsontheirgeneticresourcesandtotheuseothoseresourcesandassuchPriorInormedConsentandMutuallyAgreedTermsmaybeneededtousethegeneticmaterialsandsettlethebeneftsharingresultingthererom.Asarbackastheeightiescountriesrec-ognizedthattheywereverymuchdependingoneachotherorplantgeneticresourcesoroodandagriculture.ThereoretheInternationalTreatyonPlantGeneticResourcesdevelopedamultilateralsystemtoacilitateaccessandben-eftsharingoplantgeneticresourcesoroodandagriculturethroughtheso-calledmultilat-eralsystem.Inthatsystemaccessandbene-ftsharingareorganizedthroughastandardcontractthatwasinternationallynegotiated.Howevertherewasoneproblem.AccessandbeneftsharingthroughtheConventiononBiologicalDiversitydidnottakeplaceatalargescaleandthereoreitwasdecidedtodevelopaseparateprotocoltotheelaborateaccessandbeneftsharingprocess.ThisresultedintheNagoyaProtocolwhichconsistsothreeele-mentsFacilitationoaccessBeneftsharingarrangementsComplianceelementsTheNagoyaProtocolstillneedstobeimple-mentedatanationallevel.TheConventiononBiologicalDiversityandalsotheNagoyaProtocolotenarenotimplementedthroughnationallegislationwhichledtorulesandlegislationthatarenotapplicableorindivid-ualaccessandbeneftsharingagreementsinpractice.ThereasontocomeupwiththeNagoyaProtocolwasthattheaccessandbeneftshar-ingprovisionsintheConventiononBiologicalDiversitywerenotsufcientlyelaboratedsaysAnkevandenHurkvice-directoroPlantumtheDutchassociationortheplantreproductionmaterialsector.MoreovertheBonnguidelinesaguidancedocumentortheimplementationonationalaccessandbeneftsharinglegislationdidnotresultinappropriatenationallegislationorultimatelybeneftsharing.VandenHurkstatesthatthiswasespe-ciallynotedindevelopingcountrieswhereitwaseltthatbeneftsharingstilldidnottakeplaceastheBonnguidelineswerevoluntary.Theyelttheneedorabindingsystem.AtermanyyearsonegotiationtheNagoyaProtocolwasadoptedin2010.AccordingtotheNagoyaProtocolgov-ernmentsneedtodefneaccessrulesestablishbeneftsharingagreementsandensurecompli-anceinusercountries.ParticularlyrelevantortheseedsectoristhattheNagoyaProtocolrecognisesspecialisedaccessandbeneftsharingregimesandgeneticresourcesusedaccordingtothoseareexcludedromtheNagoyaProtocol.Theaccessandben-eitsharingmechanismotheInternationalTreatyonPlantGeneticResourcesisoneotherecognisedsystems.FurthermoretheNagoyaProtocolactstoraiseawarenessbuildcapacitytosupportimplementationandactasahuborthecollectionanddistributionoinormationontopicssuchasdomesticregulatoryaccessandbeneftsharing.AsseedcompaniesareurgedtokeeptrackoftheirgeneticresourcesEuropeanSeedoffersanoverviewoftheNagoyaProtocolandwhatitmeanstotheindustry.EDITORSNOTEThisispartoneofatwo-partseriesexploringtheNagoyaProtocolanditsimpactontheEuropeanseedindustry.WatchforparttwoinVolume2Issue2ofEuropeanSeed.ENSURINGBIODIVERSITY20IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMBYMARCELBRUINSInplantbreedingitiscrucialthatthereissimpleandeasyaccesstogeneticresourcestodevelopcommercialvarietiessoitcomesasnosurprisethattheseedindustryhasbeendiscussingtheNagoyaProtocolanditsimpactontheindustry.ThroughtheConventiononBiologicalDiversityandnowmoreexplicitlythroughtheNagoyaProtocolaccesstogeneticresourcescanonlybeobtainedinalegalmanneriPriorInormedConsentandMutuallyAgreedTermshavebeenobtainedsaysvandenHurk.ThisisnotnecessaryincountriesthatdonotrequirethisandalsonotnecessaryincaseswheretheInternationalTreatyonPlantGeneticResourcessystemisused.MostpeoplesaythattheStandardMaterialTranserAgreementaselaboratedunderthetreatymayserveasPriorInormedConsentandMutuallyAgreedTerms.ThelatterhoweverisnotofciallyagreeduponbythepartiesotheConventiononBiologicalDiversitynortheNagoyaProtocol.ComplianceMeasuresNeededAsintheNagoyaProtocolcompliancemeas-uresorusercountriesarerequired.Ausersoalsoaplantbreedermaybeapproachedcheckedromtwosidesfrstromthecoun-trythatisprovidingthegeneticresourcesandlaterromtheusercountry.Withtheimplemen-tationotheNagoyaProtocolintheEuropeanUnionlegislationisjustocusingoncompliancemeasuresasusersogeneticresourceshaveaduediligenceobligation.TheConventiononBiologicalDiversityNagoyasystemrequiresindividualbusinessestonegotiatebilateralcontractsbetweenthem-selvesandtheprovidercountry.Thismeansthateachcompanyhastonegotiatewithcoun-triestogetaccesstodesiredPGR.TheNagoyaProtocolwasadoptedin2010afterlengthynegotiations. EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEANSEEDI21ROPEAN-EED.COMIEUPEANSEEDI21VandenHurkcontinuesYoumaynegoti-ateonaprivatelevelbutyoucouldalsonegoti-ateonagrouplevel.ThroughPlantumwehavedoneseveralcollaborativeeortstoobtainaccesstogeneticresourceswithdierentlevelsosuccess.ThoseeortsincludeCollectingmissionsinCentralAsiaItwasagreedthatthesemissionscouldtakeplaceandthatthegeneticresourceswouldbesharedbetweenthegenebankothecountryandtheDutchgenebankCGN.AdditionallyresourcescouldbegivenoutundertheconditionsotheStandardMaterialTranserAgreement.AcountryinLatinAmericadidnotrespondtoarequestoraccessinexchangeoraresearchandcapacitybuildingproject.Hencetheaccessandbeneftsharingdidnottakeplace.CurrentlyapilotisbeingcarriedoutinChinaortheexchangeogeneticresourcesoanornamentalspecies.Itisclearthatthisapproachwithalotonegotiationsplacessmall-andmedi-um-sizedcompaniesatadisadvantage.Manyoicialshavenotbeenabletoseethoseconsequencesletalonetakecareoasolu-tion.ForthemomentnothingisoreseentoaddressthisproblemintheConventiononBiologicalDiversitynortheNagoyaProtocol.TheInternationalTreatyonPlantGeneticResourceshoweverunderstandstheactivitiesotheplantbreedingsectormuchbetter.Moreoveritunderstandstheinterdependenceocountriesandmakestheexchangeogeneticresourcesrelativelysimplethroughastandardcontract.ThiscontractisusedespeciallyormaterialsromgenebankssaysvandenHurk.Itisimportanttostressthatevery-bodymaybeneftromthegenebanks.Theyconservegeneticresourcesorhumankind.Moreovereverycountryisdependingonresourcesromothercountrieswhiledoingplantbreedinginparticularorgeneticresourcesoroodandagriculture.TodateimplementationotheInternationalTreatyonPlantGeneticResourcesalsohashaditschallengesandthosewhothoughtthatworkingwithAnnex1cropswouldbesimplehavehadtothinkagain.CompaniesworkingwithAnnex1cropsshouldnotassumethattheyautomaticallyallundertheInternationalTreatyonPlantGeneticResourcessystemasnotallcountriesmem-bersotheConventiononBiologicalDiversityandortheNagoyaProtocolaremembersothetreaty.Additionallygeneticresourcesoundinsituinmembercountriesdonotauto-maticallyallunderthemultilateralsystem.Evenexsitucollectionsogeneticresourcesdonotalwaysautomaticallyallunderthetreaty.Thesegeneticresourceshavetobeplacedunderthemultilateralsystem.EffortstoInformIndustryOverthepastnumberoyearsnationalregionalandglobalseedassociationshavebeeninormingtheseedindustryabouttheimplicationsotheNagoyaProtocol.Someproactiveseedcompanieshavebeenheedingthemanypresentationsandhavepreparedthemselvesinadvance.Wehaveused2014toprepareorthenewrulesthatwillbecomeapplicablethisyearsaysLisanneBooncompanylawyeratRijkZwaanintheNetherlands.Togetherwithourresearchersandbreederswehaveredratedourcurrentprocedurestocomplywiththesenewstricterrules.Inthispro-cedurewehavetriedtocombinethelegalaspectsaslaiddowninthebiodiversityleg-islationwithapragmaticapproachensuringtothebestextentpossiblethatbiodiversityisconservedusedandresultsinbeneftsorpeopleallovertheworldnotonlyinthedevelopedcountriesbutalsointhedevelopingcountries.Butthatsnotall.Companiesneedtobeawareoseveralotheractors.TolearnmoreabouttheNagoyaProtocolandtheConventiononBiologicalDiversityvisitwww.cbc.intabs.AlsowatchorparttwooourcoverageontheNagoyaProtocolinVolume2Issue2oEuropeanSeed.EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEANSEEDI21Itisveryimportantorcompaniestoknowwhichgeneticresourcesinacountryallunderaccessandbeneftsharinglegisla-tion.Freshproductsinsupermarketsseedsorplantingmaterialboughtinalocalmarketorevenseedsorplantingmaterialobtainedthroughaarmerorresearchinstitutemaybecoveredbytheaccessandbeneftsharingleg-islationsaysvandenHurk.SeedcompaniesthougheelthereisstillmuchuncertaintyabouttheimplementationbytheEuropeanCommission.AcomplicatingactoristhattherearestillmanyquestionsthatneedtobeansweredbytheEuropeanCommissionandthenationalgovernmentssaysBoon.Wehavenoticedthatthiscreatessubstantialuncertainties.Asaconsequencesomecompaniesbecomeoverlyprotectiveblockingtheacquisitiononewmaterial.Thelongertheseuncertaintiescontinuethelargerwillbethenegativeeectontheinnovationinoursector.Boonnotesthatalreadyonseveraloccasionstheyhaveworkedtopreparetheirbreedersornewlegislationtocome.Theyrealizethatitissomethingthatwewillhavetodealwitheventhoughitisnotalwayseasytounderstandwhytheserulesarebeingimposed.Itisdifculttoseehowthenewrulescontributetoconservationandsustainableuseobiodiversity.Thereisabigconcernthataccessingnewmaterialwillonlybecomeevenmoredifcult.Andtherearemoreconcernsahead.BeingamultinationalorganizationourgroupcompaniesarelocatedallovertheworldwhichmeansthatwewillpossiblybeacedwithmanydierentimplementationsotheNagoyaProtocolBoonsays.Giventhestronginterdependenceothegroupcompa-niesweneverthelessdecidedtodeveloponeprocedureortheentiregroup.Wewanttoensurethatintergroupexchangesomaterialarenothamperedbyunnecessaryadminis-trativerules.LookingorwardtothecomingyearBoonaddsthatRijkZwaanplanstostayactive.Wewillusethisyeartoinormourcolleaguesinmoredetailaboutthenewprocedurethatwehavepreparedboththroughpresenta-tionsandviawrittencommunications.THELONGERTHESEUNCERTAINTIESCONTINUETHELARGERWILLBETHENEGATIVEEFFECTONTHEINNOVATIONINOURSECTOR. 22IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMightydiversecountries218memberlaboratoriesand103personalandassociatemembers.ThiswasthesnapshotothemembershipotheInternationalSeedTestingAssociationISTAattheendo2014.ISTAisanon-proftassociationoseedtestinglaboratoriesandindi-vidualseedproessionalsestablishedin1924andoperatingunderthegovernanceomembercountriesanddistincteconomies.Theobjectivesotheassociationareprimarilytodevelopadoptandpublishstandardproceduresorseedsamplingandtestingtopromotetheuniormappli-cationotheseproceduresandtoadvanceresearchinallareasoseedscienceandtechnology.Thetechnicalpartotheassociationsobjectivesisaccomplishedthroughtheworko18technicalcommitteesmostothemdedicatedtospecifcareasoseedtestingandcomposedothebestexpertsandseedanalysts.Thecommitteesaretaskedwiththeresponsibilitytodevelopnewmethodsandprovidescientifcallysoundtechnicalandanalyticalsolutionstoseedtestingchallenges.ThesemethodsarethenpublishedastheISTARulesandhandbooks.Inadditionthecommitteesalsoacilitatethedisseminationoseedtest-ingknowledgethroughworkshopsandseminars.TheseeducationaleortscomeinadditiontoISTAsscientifcpublicationSeedScienceandTechnology.AprincipalcomponentotheeortostandardisationinseedtestingisISTAsaccreditationoseedtestinglaboratoriesandtheuseostandardisedreportingotestresultsontheISTAOrangeInternationalSeedLotCertifcateandtheISTABlueInternationalSeedSampleCertifcate.ToillustratethecontributionoISTAsworktotheseedindustryoneshouldollowtheliecycleoaseedlotorexampleahybridcornvariety.TheutilisationoISTAmethodsactuallystartsinthepreviousgenerationwheretheparentallinesotheseedaretobetestedtoconfrmidentityandgeneticpurity.Ineedbetheparentallineswillalsobetestedortraitpurityandoradventitiouspresenceogeneticallymodifedseed.Atertheseedisharvestedromtheparentlineandprocesseditwillbetestedorqualitygerminationmoisturevigourandpurity.IthisseedisdesignatedorexportitmayundergoadditionaltestingorseedhealthandpossiblyGMOtestingagain.TheresultswillbedocumentedonanISTAOrangecertifcateandthecertifcatewillaccompanytheseedtoitsdestination.Oncearrivingatitsdestinationthequalityotheseedisclearlyrepresentedinastructuredconvenientandamiliarwayontheaccompanyingcertifcate.Theseedmayundergoyetanotherroundotestingbyagovernmentlaboratoryorthesakeocheckingcompliancewiththegoverninglocalregulations.IntotalISTAprovidesthemethodsusedorqualitycontrolortheseedproducersellerthesamemethodsthatwillbeusedbythegovernmentlabenorcingcompliancewiththegoverningregulationsbothoperatingunderthesamestandardsthataredeinedbyISTAsaccreditationandallexpressingtheresultsinaclearandcommonlanguageontheISTAcertifcate.Thisharmonisationinmethodologyandmodeocommunicationisthecornerstoneotheseedtrade.ThisclearlypaintsthepictureotheimportanceoISTAanditsroleasaacilitatorointernationalseedmovementandtrade.Thefrstandbyarbiggestbenefciaryothisharmonisationprocessistheseedindustry.EuropeanSeedspokewithseveralmembersotheindustrytocollecttheirperspectivesontheroleoISTAintheseedindustryandstrengthsomembershipISTAsecretary-generalBeniKaumanISTASupportCrucialKnowingtheindustry-widebenefitsofharmonisedseedtestingmethodologiesISTAhaslaunchedanewmembershipcategorytoencourageindustryengagement.BYMARCELBRUINSANDMARCZIENKIEWICZFormoreinormationvisitwww.seedtest.orgenseed-science-and-tech-nology-_content---1--1084.html EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEANSEEDI23BrigitteHammanglobaltechnicalmanagerseedbiologyatSyngentaCropProtectionElizabethBatesglobalheadoseedandtraitsaetyatBayerCropScienceandBrunoZaccomerseedtechnologyandSixSigmaleadEuropeatMonsanto.EuropeanSeedYouareactiveinISTA.WhyisitimportantforyourcompanytoengagewiththisorganisationBrigitteHammanThemainocusomyteamistoensuretheseedsaetyothevariousseedtreatmentsagrochemicalsinourportolio.Inordertodoagoodjobatthatitsessentialthatweassessphysiologicalseedqualityaccuratelyandpreciselybeoreandatertreatment.Alsotheaccesstocutting-edgeinormationwithregardtoseedtechnologyspecifcallyisinvaluableormeintermsomyspecifcobjectives.ItalsoprovidesacommunityoexpertstowhomIcanturntowhenseedqualityissuesoutsideotheusualarise.ElizabethBatesISTAisuniqueinthatitbringstogetherpeoplerommanycountriesworldwidewithaclearmandateromtheirrespectivegovernmentstoprovidedirectiononseedtesting.Thisallowsinternationalrulestobeproposedendorsedandimplemented.Havingclearlygloballyendorsedandrespectedrulesocoursemakesiteasierorseedproviderstotesttheirseedwiththeunderstandingthatthesetestswillbeacceptedinanycountry.Havingtheserulesinplaceandunderstandingthemarethefrststepstoreeinguptrade.ThereoretheworkthatISTAdoeswithgovernmentallyappointeddelegatesisveryimportantandBayerCropSciencesupportsandencouragesthiswork.BrunoZaccomerAsamajorparticipantinglobalseedtradeitiscriticalorMonsantotobeactivelyinvolvedandengagedwiththeISTAorganizationandISTAmembers.ThetestingprotocolsstatedintheISTARulesarerequiredorreerencedbymanycountriesintheirseedimportregulations.ISTAbringstogetherrepresentativesromgovernmentsseedcompaniesseedtestingfrmsseedrelatedfrmsacademiaandotherstobetteraddressseedissuesromtheiruniqueperspectives.ISTAandtheISTARulesareviewedbymanyingovernmentagenciesandotherseedindustryorganisationsaroundtheworldasthesourceostandardisedmethodologyortestingseeds.ItiscriticalthatMonsantobeactivelyengagedtoassistwiththedevelopmentandvalidationothisstandardisedtestingmethodologytoimproveandencourageseedtestinguniormityglobally.AlsotheISTAorganisationprovidesanexcellentorumorallentitiesinterestedinseedissuestonetworkandbuildrelationshipstoimproveglobalseedtradeanddiscussandaddresscommonissues.AsanactiveISTAmemberMonsantoisengagedinthevitalprocessosharingandobtaininginormationrelatedtoglobalseedmovementaswellascurrentandnewtechnologiesrelatedtodeterminingvariousaspectsoseedquality.Inadditioninapoliticalregulatoryandlegalcontextthatismoreandmorecomplexthereisaneedtohavesomerecognisedandsharedtestingmethodswhicharerecognisedandusedbyallparties.Itsnecessaryinordertohavetheclearestviewothequalityoourproductswhateverthethresholdorregulationis.ISTAisaperectchanneltoshareandspreadknowledgeobestpracticesoseedtestingthroughworkshopsandseminarswhichwearesupporting.WealsoseeourengagementinISTAasasupporttotheaccreditationsystem.Thissystemiscriticaltoguaranteetheresultoanythirdpartylabandtoproviderecognitionotheresultsobtainedbyourinternallaboratories.ESAtits2014meetingISTAimplementedthenewcategoryofIndustryMembership.CanyouexplainmoreaboutthatandwhyitfeltitwasnecessaryWhatisinitfortheseedcompaniesthatdecidetobecomeISTAIndustryMembersBeniKaufmanThiscategoryismeanttoachievetwogoals.Firsttodrawinandurtherengagetheseedindustryintheassociationsactivitiesandsecondlytohelpraisemoreundstoexpandtheassociationsactivities.ISTAopenedupitsmembershiptotheindustryinthelate1990sandseedanalystsandscientistscomingromseedcompaniesorcommerciallaboratorieshavemaderemarkablecontributionstotheworkoISTAsworkinggroupsandtechnicalcommitteeseversince.Presentlytherearemorethan60laboratoriesownedbyseedcompaniesthatarealreadyISTAmemberlaboratories.Howeverthenewcategoryisnotaboutthemembershiporinvolvementothesingularindustrylabintheassociationbutratherastakethatthecompanyasawholeistakingintheassociation.WehavecreatedthiscategoryinawaythatwillallowanyindustrymemberImageprovidedbyBrigitteHammanofSyngenta. 24IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMtoparticipatethenameitselisinclusiveandopensupthedoortolargecorporationsmediumandsmallcompaniesorcommerciallaboratories.AnewandimportantbeneitintakingontheIndustrymembershipispartakinginanewbodytheIndustryAdvisoryGroupaorumthatwillbemadeupoupto15ISTAmembersandwillbechargedwiththetaskorepresentingtheindustrysinterestintheassociation.OneseatinthisgroupisreservedorarepresentativeotheInternationalSeedFederationISFandthersteightIndustryMemberswillautomaticallyhaveaplaceonthegroupaterISTAexecutivecommitteeapproval.Thisorumwillserveasacommunicationchanneltotheexecutivecommitteeandwillenableadirectdiscussionotheindustrieschallengesrequestsandpriorities.Onereasonwhythiscommunicationmaybeimportantisthatseedscienceandtestingdevelopmentsotenallbetweenthechairs.InmostseedcompaniestheRDdepartmentisocusedonbreedingandbiotechnologythesupplyorproductiondepartmentisalwaysworkingunderpressureandistoocostsensitivetoallowdevelopmentalworkthustheabilitytocommunicateanalyticalneedsandchallengestoISTAandprompttheassociationtosolvetheseanalyticalneedscanllthisgap.FurthermorethepotentialoharnessingthecommunalworkoISTAstechnicalcommitteestosolvetechnicalchallengesthatmoreotenthannotarenotuniquetoonecompanyrepresentsthemostecientandcost-eectivewayoaddressingtheseanalyticalneeds.Ieachcompanyweretotacklesuchchallengesindependentlyitwouldbeamuchmorecostlyeortthusinvestinginaseatatthetablemayyieldaveryhighreturnonarelativelysmallinvestment.ThereorethisneworumispotentiallythemostimportantbenetthattheIndustryMembershipcarries.Fromtheassociationssidetheadditionalundsthismembershipbringscanpotentiallybeusedinanumberobenecialwaysthatarenotcurrentlypossibleoronlypartiallyaddressed.Forexamplegrantsinsupportoseedscienceresearchsupportdevelopmentounderundedlabscreationoweb-basededucationsystemsorreeparticipationinISTAactivitiesormembersandstudents.LastlytheabilityoISTAtopromoteuniormityandstandardisationinseedtestingisaunctionoISTAsrecognition.EngagingasanIndustryMemberisanendorsementshowingtheindustryssupporttotheassociationandwhatitstandsor.ESTherewasasimilarmembershipcategoryinthepastbutthatdidnotworksowell.HowwasthatcategorydifferentfromthenewoneBKISTAhadintroducedCorporateMembershipin2007withoutmuchsuccess.Butotherthantheactthatbothcategoriesareintendedortheindustrythereisnocomparison.TheoldCorporateMembershipcategorywasmoreoapuresponsorshipopportunitythatdidnothaveanybenetsassociatedwithitandorsmallormediumcompanieswasmorescallydemanding.ESAreyouplanningtobecomeanIndustryMemberandwhatdoyouhopetogetoutofitEBBayerCropScienceiscommittedtoitscurrentISTAmembership.Oneoourtestinglabshasulllaboratorymembershipwithoutaccreditationandwealsohaveasizablenumberopersonalandassociatemembers.WearecurrentlylookingatouroverallglobalmembershipstrategytoseewhatandiIndustryMembershiptsourneedsandhowitwouldmakeadierentialimpact.BZMonsantoviewsthisnewmembershipcategoryasaninvitationbyISTAtoearnestlyreachoutandengagetheseedindustryandseekitsinputonissuesthatarevitaltoglobalseedtrade.ISTAtestingprotocolsareutilisedbymanycountriesasthebasisorseedimportrequirements.AsaglobalseedcompanyMonsantoisplanningtobecomeanISTAIndustryMembertosupportencourageandparticipateintheglobalharmonisationoseedtestingthatISTAprovides.BybecominganISTAIndustryMemberMonsantohopestoactivelyparticipateinthedynamicdiscussionandongoingdevelopmentoseedtestingmethodologyutilisedbybothregulatoryandprivatesectorlaboratoriesaroundtheworld.Ihopethisgivesusanopportunitytohelpinfuenceseedtestingrulesandintheutureassistwiththedevelopmentotheopportunityorallnon-governmentalISTAmemberstovoteonruleproposals.ForaglobalcompanytheIndustryMembershipisagreatopportunitytoharmoniseandcoordinatethemanyconnectionsandcontributionswehavewithISTA.ESLookingatthenearmid-termfuturewhatimportantISTAdevelopmentsareinthepipelinethatwillhaveanimpactontheseedindustryBKISTAhasanumberoprojectsthatareeitherinthedesignstageorunderway.TomentionaewThepoweroourassociationanditsabilitytodelivermoreservicesisderivedromthenumberoourmembersthereoregrowthisapriority.Eventhoughwehaveapresencein80countriesanddistincteconomieswestillcanreachmanymorelaboratoriesmanyotheselaboratoriesareindustryorcommerciallabs.ForthispurposeatthebeginningothisyearwehiredPierrickMarcouxwhowillheadISTAsmarketingeorts.MarcouxiscomingwithawealthomarketingexperienceandwilldirecthistalentandknowledgetopromoteISTAaroundtheworld.Oneotheareasinwhichweseepotentialorgrowthistheseedsectorthereoreindustryshouldexpecttoseeandhearmoreotheassociationoncethecampaignisunderway.ElectroniccerticateswearelookingatpossiblewaystodigitisetheISTAorangeandbluecerticates.Itishardtotellwhenthisinitiativewillmaterialiseasthereareanumberochallengesinprovidingthesamelevelosecuritytoelectronicdocumentsaswepresentlyhavewiththepaperdocumentsbuttherearesomeobvioustimegainsthatsuchatransitionwillbringandthesearchison.Web-basedworkshopsthiswasanideainitiatedbyRashaEl-Khademourormerheadotheaccreditationandtechnicaldepartment.Theinitialthoughtocusesonoeringqualityassuranceworkshops.ThisideaisyettobeapprovedbytheISTAexecutivecommittee.ESWouldyouliketoseemoreinvolvementoftheseedindustryandifyesonwhichtopicsorbywhomInotherwordshowcantheindustrysupportISTABKOneveryimportantplacethatweareentirelydependentonindustrysupportisprovidingseedsortheGMOtestingprociencytestPT.ThePTsareadministeredasblindteststhatiswearespikingconventionalseedwithpredeterminedpropositionsotransgenicseedoaparticulartypeandknownzygosityandthelaboratoriesneedtotestanddeterminethepresenceabsenceoGMseedqualitativetestsandortheidentityandleveloadventitiouspresenceoGMseedquantitativetests.Thesourceoseedespeciallytransgenicseedisromtheindustry.InthelastthreeyearswehavebeneitedromthegenerosityoBayerandMonsantohoweveritwillbeveryhelpuliwecanpartnerwithindustryandputinplacealong-termplanorthesupplyoseedorthispurpose.InthesameveinoccasionallytheProciencyTesttechnicalcommitteewhichisorganizingthebasicPTsalsoneedstoobtainseedromtheindustry.Anotherplacewherethereisroomorinvolvementisourtechnicalcommitteeswecurrentlyhavevacantspots.ForexampletheMoistureCommitteetheTetrazoliumCommitteeandtheNomenclatureCommitteeandsomeothershavejustoneortwospotsstillopen.TheonetechnicalcommitteethatisimportanttotheunctionoallothersandthereoreisatanygivenpointintimeoverloadedwithworkistheStatisticsCommittee.Wewelcomeandwillgreatlyappreciatemorestatisticianshelpingwiththiscommitteeandtheyareguaranteedasupplyointerestingtasks.Anybody EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEANSEEDI25interestedintakingonthischallengeisinvitedtocontactmyselorNadineEttelourtechnicalcommitteecoordinatorNadine.ettelista.ch.ESThereareonlyafewcompaniesactiveinISTA.WhatadvicewouldyougivetoothercompanieswhoarenotyetactiveinISTAShouldtheyjoinISTABHYestheycertainlyshouldjoin.ThegreaterthedegreeoindustryparticipationthebetterISTAcanservetheinterestsandneedsoindustryinarealisticandpracticalway.EBBayerCropSciencebelievesitisimportanttogetallotheplayerstothetableinordertoachieveaoundationalunderstandingotheissuesinseedtestingandtoensureeveryonehasthesameleveloknowledgeinordertopreventproblemsoreveryone.InthissenseIwouldencourageothercompaniestojoinwhethertheyareoneotheBigSixorsmallerseedcompaniesorevenspecicseedtestingcompanies.ByjoiningISTAandbeinganactivememberononeothevarioustechnicalcommitteesacompanycanhopetobetterunderstandtheinternationalrulesandbeontherontlinewhenchangesoccur.Therearealsomanyopportunitiestotakepartinworkshopsandprociencytestswhichreallyhelptobenchmarktestingandimprovewaysoworking.ISTAworkshopsareinexpensiverelativetoothertrainingopportunitiesandcostsareevenlowerormembersandareveryhands-onwhichisanexcellentwaytodevelopemployees.IbelongtotheGMOtechnicalcommitteeandwewererecentlyabletowriteandgainacceptanceotheISTArulesorGMOtesting.Thiswasacollaborativeeortbetweenawidegroupopeopleallworkingtogetherwithinthecommitteeregardlessotheircountryooriginorwhethertheyworkorgovernmentorindustry.GettingallotheISTAdelegatestoacceptourruleswasquiteaeatandtheteamshouldbecongratulated.Howevertheworkdoesnotstopwhentherulesareacceptedsotherearealwaysspotsorpeoplewhowouldliketojoininvariousworkinggroups.IwouldencourageothercompaniestoinvestinISTAandgettheirvoicesheard.BZItisimportantorseedcompaniestobeactiveinISTAtohavetheirvoicesheardandtheirconcernsactivelyaddressedinahighlyinfuentialandwellrespectedglobalorganizationsuchasISTA.Theseothercompaniesaremissingagreatopportunity.AnyseedcompanywishingtoreachaglobalmarketisconcernedbyinternationalseedtraderegulationswhicharebasedinmanycasesonISTArules.ForthisreasonbeingactiveinISTAisamust.ISTAIndustryMembershipTheIndustryMembercategoryeaturesascaledmembershipee100employees7500CHF101to500employees10000CHF501employees12500CHFMembershipbenetsincludeOnelaboratorymembershipTworeeadvertisementsinSeedTestingInternationalSeatonIndustryAdvisoryGroupIndustryMembershipapplicationormsareavailableon-lineatwww.seedtest.org.TobecomeamemberdownloadtheApplicationorMembershipotheInternationalSeedTestingAssociationandlloutpageseventhatisdedicatedtoIndustryMembershipapplication. 26IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMorethan900seedsectorrepresentativesromEuropeandaroundtheworldmetinLisbonPortugal12Octoberto14October2014ortheEuropeanSeedAssociationsannualmeeting.ThisrecordattendancealongwiththeenthusiasmoallparticipantsandguestsmadetheeventoneothemostsuccessulESAannualmeetingsever.InadditiontoabuzzingandincreasinglyinternationaltradeshowloorandexhibitionandnumeroustechnicalmeetingsdedicatedtospecifccropgroupstherewereanumberoimportantpoliticaldiscussionsthataddressedeithergeneralorspeciicallyEuropeanpolicyissues.The2014ESACongressocussedspeciicallyontheneedorastrongeroutreachothesectortomediaandinterestedpublicasabasisandpreconditionorlateradvocacyonspecifcregulatoryorpolicyissues.TodosoESApresenteditsnewSpeakuporSeedsvisiondocumenttoitsmembershipwhichwillbecomeacornerstoneotheassociationscommunicationcampaignintheuture.SincethenithasalreadybeensuccessullylaunchedwiththeEuropeanCommissionandEuropeanParliamentinadebateattendedbythenewEUcommissioneroragriculturePhilHoganwhoconfrmedtheneedorcontinuedoutreachandadvocacyortheindustry.Thereweremanydiscussionsonhowtoachieveabetterrecognitionotheseedsectorscontributiontosustainableagriculturebutalsohowtoaddressthegrandoverallsocietalchallengesooodsecurityoodsaetyenvironmentallyriendlyandsustainablearmingaswellashealthydietsandclimatechange.OntheonehandmanyparticipantsconfrmedtheneedorthestrongsinglevoiceoESAindeendingtheinterestsoEuropesseedsectorasarasdecisionmakersareconcerned.Converselytherewasalsoalotorecognitionthatnewtoolsandmoretailoredmessagingareprobablyneededtochangethepublicperceptionoplantbreedingandthewaythesectorisperceivedbydecisionmakersandthemedia.ThemosttimelysubjectattheLisbonmeetingwasprobablytheassociationsoicialannouncementoavoluntaryinancialcontributionromtheEuropeanseedsectortotheFAOsInternationalTreatyorPlantGeneticResourcesorFoodandAgriculture.Thispublicannouncementwasmadeinthepresenceothevice-chairotheFAOITWorkingGroup.TheannouncementwasalsoquicklypickedupbyrelevantmediaaswellasanumberodecisionmakerswithpressinquiriesbrieingsandinterviewsthatdemonstratejusthowpoliticallyimportanttheoverallsubjectogeneticresourceshasbecomespecifcallyinEuropeandhowmuchsocietyisinterestedintheroleindustryiswillingtoplayintheirpreservationandsustainableuse.InthiscontextthesecretarygeneraloESAGarlichvonEssenremindedparticipantsothecampaignomanyNGOswhichdiscreditedanewseedlawproposalbytheEuropeanCommissionandwhichresultedinanalmostunprecedentedplenaryvotecallingupontheCommissiontowithdrawandre-dratitsapproach.HeunderlinedthatadecisiveelementothisdebatehadbeentheaccusationthattheEUseedlawwasdestroyingbiodiversityandthatthiswasinacttheaimoanindustryinterestedsolelyinshort-termproitsandnotinthelong-termsustainableuseogeneticdiversityoragri-oodproduction.ThedecisiontochallengetheEUsimplementationotheNagoyaProtocolonaccessandbeneitsharingprobablyaddedurtherueltothisaccusationandtheESAdecisiontovisiblyandsubstantiallysupporttheFAOsInternationalTreatyonPlantGeneticResourcesorFoodandAgricultureisalsomeanttodemonstratethattheseaccusationsarealseandmisleadingandthatthesustainableuseoplantgeneticresourcesbypublicorprivateplantbreedingiskeytotheutureothesector.ENGAGEDANDINVOLVEDESASHARESITSHIGHLIGHTSFROMTHERECORD-BREAKING2014ANNUALMEETING.SecretariatSpeakUpforSeedsByAnaAscenoESilva26IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM October20151113VIENNAAustriaWHATNewformatof3fulldaysofmeetingsbusinessandnetworkingopportunities.Auniqueopportunityforimportantpolicydiscussionssuccessfultrade.WHOMorethan900seedprofessionalsfromallaroundtheworld.WHENOctober11-132015.WHEREHiltonHotelAmStadtparkViennaAustria.Registeronesa.conceptum.eubeforeJuly1standbenetfromtheearlybirdregistrationfee.Formoreinformationcontactesa.annual-meetingconceptum.euwww.conceptum.euESAislookingforwardtowelcomingyouinVienna 28IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMInvariouscontributionsESArepresentativesspecifcallytriedtoexplainthattheyareneitheropposedtothepoliticalobjectivesotheConventiononBiologicalDiversityortheFAOtreatynorareEuropesbreederstryingtoignoretheirspeciicindividualresponsibilities.Onthecontrarytherewasstrongemphasisplacedonthegeneralsupportorairaccessandbeneftsharing.Atthesametimetheindustryshowedwithpracticalexampleshowoverly-bureaucraticrulesandsector-unspeciicprovisionswouldhindercompaniesintheirreedomtooperateandwiththatintheendalsohaveanegativeeectontheoverallobjectiveoaccessandbeneftsharing.ESAssupportortheFAOtreatyanditslegalchallengetotheEUNagoyaRegulationwerethereorepresentedastwosidesothesamecoinsupportandwillingnesstotakeresponsibilityinpreservinggeneticresourcesandsharingresultingbeneitsbutrejectionoapproachesthatthreatencompaniesreedomtooperate.ThecomingyearwillbringimportantdecisionsinthisarearomthepossibleEuropeanCourtdecisionontheNagoyaRegulationtothereviewotheInternationalESAsecretary-generalGarlichvonEssen.Treatysaccessandbeneitsharingprovisions.Therewillnotbeashortageosubjectsorin-depthdiscussionatthenextESACongresswhichwilltakeplaceinViennaAustriainOctober2015.28IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMTolearnmoreaboutthe2015ESAAnnualMeetingvisitesa.conceptum.eu.RegistrationopenedApril12015.ModestoFernndezDaz-Silveiraleftco-chairoftheTreatysAdHocAdvisoryCommitteeontheFundingStrategyandGerardBackxESApresident.The2014ESAAnnualMeetingsawrecordattendance. HYBRIDWHEATAEUROPEANSUCCESSSTORYBecauseitmeetstheiryieldconsistencyexpectationshybridwheathasgainedwiderecognitionamongwheatgrowersacrossEurope.Forthepast15yearsthankstoitsuniqueexpertiseinbreedingandseedproductionandtoitsproprietaryCroisorhybridizingtechnologySaaten-Unionhascreatedinnovativehybridwheatvarietiessuitedtoamoresustainablefarming.In2014aquartermillionhectaresofEuropeanwheataregrownfromSaaten-Unionshybridseeds.Forfurtherinformationhybridwheatsaaten-union.frwww.hybridwheat.net 30IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMSPOTLIGHTPINSUCCESSINSEEDTHEPOLISHSEEDTRADEASSOCIATIONHASBEENPROMOTINGTHEINTERESTSOFTHEPOLISHSEEDINDUSTRYFORNEARLYACENTURYANDITSSTILLGOINGSTRONG.BYPINTEAMhePolishseedindustryhasalongtraditionobeingassociatedwithanumbrellaorganisation.TheirstorganisationnamedthePolishAssociationoBreedersandSeedMerchantsZwizekPolskichHodowcwiKupcwNasiennychwasestablishedin1919andwasactiveuntil1950.DuetopoliticalconditionstherewasnoseedassociationactiveagaininPolanduntil1996whenthecurrentPolskaIzbaNasiennaPolishSeedTradeAssociationPINwasestablished.TheirstpersonactiveintheorganisationotheseedmarketandtheirstpresidentoPINKarolDuczmalwaswidelyknownwithintheinternationalcommunity.PINsorganisationalstructureisrelativelystraightorwardwithaGeneralAssemblyaboardodirectorsandseveralcommitteesandsectionswhilePINssecretariatisrunbyitssecretary-general.PINhasestablishedthreetechnicalcommitteesocusedonrelatedissuesPlantBreedersCommitteeSeedCompaniesCommitteeandResearchandDevelopmentCommittee.Besidesthecommitteesthereareseveralcrop-ocusedsectionsBeetSectionMaizeSectionOilandFiberPlantsSectionVegetablesandOrnamentalsSectionCerealsandPulsesSectionGrassesandLegumesSectionPotatoSectionandTreesandShrubsSection.Theassociationbringstogethernationalandoreigncompaniesthatareactiveinbreedingreproductionandtheseedtrade.PINhas78membersandbeingamemberisvoluntary.PINisamemberotheInternationalSeedFederationISFandtheEuropeanSeedAssociationESA.AIMANDTASKSTheaimoPINistocreatethebestconditionsorthedevelopmentotheseedindustrythusoeringarmersasteadysupplyohigh-qualityseedothenewestvarietiesandtorepresenttheinterestsoitsmembers.ThemaintasksoPINcanbeclassifedasollows-TomodiylawsinthewaymostavourableorseedqualityvarietalidentityandorseedsuppliersatthenationalEUandinternationallevels.-Tocreateopportunitiesorbusinessandcooperationinthemarketplacesupportschemesorseedproductionmarketinormationseedcongresses.-OngoingcooperationwiththeMinistryoAgricultureStatePlantHealthandSeedInspectionServiceResearchCentreorCultivarTestingandotherrelevantbodies-Toincreaseawarenessothebeneitscomingromtheuseohigh-qualityseedarmerspublicscientistspoliticiansandgovernmentalrepresentatives.-Tosecuretheloworesearchandinnovationintoplantbreeding.Howevertherearealsochallenges.ThemainchallengeatthemomentistoincreasetheefciencyoplantproductionthroughtheuseocertifedseedinPoland.ToaddressthesechallengesPINisworkingonmanydierentlevels.ThemostimportantissuesorPINatthemomentare-Ongoingchangesinthenationalseedlaw.-EnorcementoPlantBreedersRightsandcollectingarm-savedseedees.-TheshapeoutureEUseedlegislation.-Accesstoplantgeneticresources.-AccesstoPlantProtectionProductsPPPsespeciallytoseedtreatmentproducts.-Communicationstrategyortheassociation.NEWEFFORTSThesedaysPINsbiggesteortsareconcentratedontwonewactivities.Towardstheendo2014upontheagreementwithESAPINhasbecomethenationalagentresponsibleorimplementingtheEuropeanSeedTreatmentAssuranceschemeESTAinPoland.PINhasorganiseditsfrstmeetingswithcertiyingbodiesthatareinterestedincarryingoutESTAauditson-site.Theintentionistohavethefrston-siteauditsdonebeoretheautumnsowingseasonin2015.ThecrucialgoalistohaveagoodcommunicationcampaignortheESTAocusedonseedcompaniesarmersandgovernmentrepresentativeswhichhasjustnowstarted.Anothernewprojectisatrainingcentre.Thefrstpeopleorwhomtrainingwillbeprovidedwillbeaccreditedseedsampletakersandfeldinspectors.UntilnowtheonlytraininginthisareawasprovidedbytheStatePlantHealthandSeedInspectionServicesPIORiN.PINisnowauthorisedtoprovide 32IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMSPOTLIGHTPINthistrainingaswellandwehavetrainedthefrstourgroupsoseedsampletakersinMarchandApril2015.Atthemomentweareplanningtorunasecondroundotrainingorfeldinspectors.MANYSUCCESSESPINhasloggedmanysuccesses.PINsproudestachievementsinclude-PINinitiatedandpreparedtheintroductionothelegislationonPBRlawonthelegalprotectionovarieties2003.-TheintroductionosubsidiesorcertifedseedundertheEUdeminimisregimerom2007.-ThepossibilityosupportinginancialinvestmentsorseedcompaniesinRDP2007-2013upto50percent.-Subsidiesorthecultivationolegumes60ha.-Restorationotheauthorizationoseedtreatmentproductsorvegetables.-ExtensionotheauthorizationoPPPsorsorghummaxim.-EnsuringairaccesstoPolishwhitemustardvarietiesontheEUmarket.-EstablishmentotheFundamentalResearchProgramorplantbreeding.-Establishingaresearchprojectorpulses.-PolandsintroductiontoISFandESA.-EESNETCongressorganizationPoznan2004andKrakow2009.-ESAAnnualMeetingandSeedCongressWarsaw2013.-Co-organizingotheISFWSCKrakow2015.EVENTSRecentlytheESAAnnualMeetingwasorganisedinWarsawandinMay2015ISFwillholditsWorldSeedCongressinKrakow.BybringingtheseeventstoPolandPINwantstoocustheattentionothePolishseedindustryontheinternationalseedsector.InpreviousyearstherewereonlyaewPolishcompaniesattendingtheISFandESAcongresses.SincetheESAAnnualMeetinginWarsawPINhasnoticedasignifcantincreaseinthenumberoparticipantsromPolandinbothevents.PINexpectstoseearecordnumberoPolishcompaniesattendingtheISFWordSeedCongressinKrakw.ThePolishsystemorthecollectionoarm-savedseedFSSremunerationhasbeenoperatingsuccessullysincetheamendmentothenationallawenteredintoorce.Beore2006orthevarietiesprotectedonthenationallevelitwaspossibleonlyintheory.Theabove-mentionedsystemismanagedbyAgencjaNasiennaSp.zo.o.abreedersorganizationoundedinSeptember2003bysevenPolishbreeders.Currentlytheorganisationisdirectlyrepresenting24plantbreedingcompaniesincludingalsothoseassociatedwithoreignbreedingorganisations.ThroughestablishingANPlusSp.zo.o.aneworganizationbeingthememberoAgnecjaNasiennaandassociatingsomeoreignbreedersurthersigniicantimprovementothesystemisexpected.ANPlushasthetaskomediatingbetweenAgencjaNasiennaandthosebreederswhodonotactdirectlywithintheterritoryoPolandeventhoughtheirvarietiesarecommercializedandusedasFSSthere.Oneothemajorchallengesisenorcement.Yearbyyearthereisaprogessbutenorcementcostsareveryhigh.Thisresultsromtheneedosendingtoarmersatereachseasonormalrequestsorinormationandcarryingoutnumerousinspections.Recentlyabout500successulcourtcaseshavebeenconductedeveryyear.Thegreatestobstacleinthisareaisthelackoinormationaboutactiveagriculturalholdingsthatarenotsmallarmers.Duringthelastseveralyearsalotchangedregardingpossessionoagriculturallandandsizeoarms.GenerallysmallarmersaregettingbiggerbutontheotherhandsomemiddleandbigarmschangeintheirstructureandbecomesmallerholdingstobeneftmoreromEUCommonAgriculturePolicy.TheeectivenessothecollectionoFSSremunerationcouldbeimprovedsignifcantlybygettingsomedataromofcialadministrativebodiesespeciallyupdatedinormationonarmaddressesandarmarea.Howeverstrongerpoliticalsupportisrequired.Itsnotonlyarmersbutallosocietythatbeneftsrominnovationsrepresentedbycertifedseedonewplantvarieties.Weseegreatpossibilitiesindeliveringthismessagetoallstakeholders.AsaconsequenceothiswealsocommunicatethatFSSremunerationsandcontractuallicensesconstitutetheprimaryfnancialsourcetocoverthecostoRD.DespitecommonunderstandingandacceptanceothisideathereisnotenoughpracticalsupportorabetterworkingsystemocollectioninPoland.Polandalsoneedsmoreparticipationromboththeindustryandtheofcialbodieswhenitcomestoactiontakenagainsttheillegalseedmarketbrownbaggingwhichisextremelyhardtocontrol.DespiteallthesedifcultieswehaverecentlyachievedalotoprogressintheareaoIPenorcementinPoland.Themostimportantisthewell-establishedlicenseagreementsystemagoodstartinthedevelopmentoanFSSremunerationsystemandinormationalandeducationalactivities.AsaresultpublicknowledgeoIPismuchbetternow.FARM-SAVEDSEEDINPOLANDBYAGENCJANASIENNASP.ZO.O.SPECIESINCREASETONSRYE189313WHEAT4595672BARLEY647416OATS254627TRITICALE2070383TOTALCEREALS7757250LUPINS3663265PEA1900228COMMONVETCH5918FIELDBEAN708544TOTALPULSES6329238POTATOES1767823TOTAL10158043INCREASEINCERTIFIEDSEEDSALESFROM20072008INTRODUCTIONOFDEMINIMISONAREASOWNWITHCERTFIEDSEEDTO20132014 IncreaseawarenesssalesandreturnoninvestmentwithmultipledigitaltouchpointsDisplayEmailSocialMediaVisiteuropean-seed.comadvertiseorcall1-877-710-3222tospeaktoanaccountexecutive.ModernAdvertisingSolutionsinaSustainableIndustryExplorethebenefitsofdigital. 34IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMINTERNATIONALNEWSGLOBALSEEDWATCHCHECKOUTWHATSHAPPENINGINTHEGLOBALSEEDINDUSTRYFROMGLOBALADOPTIONOFGMCROPSTOTHEDISCOVERYOFWILDSOYBEANSLINKEDTOSALTTOLERANCEINCHINA.STATUSAUSTRALIACHINAAcollaborativeresearchprojectbetweenAustralianandChinesescientistshasshownhowsoybeanscanbebredtobettertoleratesoilsalinity.TheresearchersattheUniversityoAdelaideinAustraliaandtheInstituteoCropSciencesintheChineseAcademyoAgriculturalSciencesinBeijinghaveidentifedaspecifcgeneinsoybeanthathasgreatpotentialorsoybeancropimprovement.Byidentiyingthegenegeneticmarkerscannowbeusedinbreedingprogramstoensurethatsalttolerancecanbemaintainedinuturecultivarsosoybeanthatwillbegrowninareaspronetosoilsalinity.ThisgeneunctionsinacompletelynewwayromothersalttolerancegenesweknowaboutsaysMatthewGillihamassociateproessorandprojectleadattheUniversityoAdelaide.Wecannowusethisinormationtofndsimilargenesindierentcropssuchaswheatandgrapevinetoselectivelybreedortheirenhancedsalttolerance.SourceTheUniversityoAdelaideSTATUSCHINAAdvocatesobiotechcropsandthosewhoavourtraditionalarmingpracticessuchascropdiversityotenseemworldsapartbutanewstudyshowsthatthesetwoapproachescanbecompatible.AninternationalteamledbyChinesescientistsandBruceTabashnikattheUniversityoArizonasCollegeoAgricultureandLieSciencesdiscoveredthatthediversepatchworkocropsinnorthernChinaslowedadaptationtogeneticallyengineeredcottonbyawide-ranginginsectpest.TabashnikusedcomputersimulationstoprojecttheconsequencesodierentassumptionsabouttheeectsonaturalreugesinnorthernChina.Thesimulationsmimicthebiologyothecottonbollwormandtheplantingpatternsothe10millionarmersinnorthernChinarom2010to2013whereBtcottonaccountsor98percentoallcottonbutcottonrepresentsonly10percentotheareaplantedwithcropseatenbythecottonbollworm.NaturalreugeshelpbutarenotapermanentsolutionsaysTabashnik.ThepaperindicatesthatithecurrenttrajectorycontinuesmorethanhalothecottonbollwormpopulationinnorthernChinawillberesistanttoBtcottoninaewyears.ToavoidthistheauthorsrecommendswitchingtocottonthatproducestwoormoreBttoxinsandintegratingBtcottonwithothercontroltacticssuchasbiologicalcontrolbypredatorsandparasites.Themostimportantlessonisthatwedontneedtochoosebetweenbiotechnologyandtraditionalagriculture.Insteadwecanusethebestpracticesrombothapproachestomaximiseagriculturalproductivityandsustainability.SourceEurekAlertSTATUSAFRICAInmid-DecembertheAricanPlantBreedingAcademygraduated23botanistsrom11Aricancountriesand21institutionsinDecember.Thebotanistswerethefrstgrouptobetrainedonneglectedandorphanedcropsthatarenecessaryoroodsecurityandnutrition.TheyweretrainedoncropimprovementanddevelopingplantmaterialstobeneftAricanarmers.Ihavebeenexposedtotheuseomodernmolecularapproachesinplantbreed-ingandIwillsharetheknowledgeIhavelearnedwithmyellowscientistssaysJohnOnditiapotatobreederromKarloTigomiKenya.Iwillbeabletoincorporatemanycropsandespeciallyorphanedcropsthatsoarhavenoinormationthatcanbeusedasabaselineorstudyingandimprovingthem.Orphancropsarecropsthatareunder-re-searchedandundervaluedbydecision-makersbecausetheyareconsiderednotoeconomicimportance.Yettheyarevitalsourcesonutri-entsresilientandadaptedtoenvironmentalstressandlocalconditions.WorldAgroorestryCentredirectorgeneralTonySimonssaysthereisalonghistoryoimprovingplants.Inthe1960swhentheworldacedchronicoodshortagesthatiswhentheGreenRevolutionwascreatedSimonssays.IthashadanenormousimpactinAsiaparticularlyinIndiaandLatinAmerica.Thetwoconti-nentswereabletoturnooddefcitsintooodsurplusbecauseoplacinganenormousocusonplantbreeding.HoweverAricamissedoutbecauseotheleveloinvestmentinrastructurecapacityandabilitytousethosetechniqueswasnotthere. EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEANSEEDI35MorerecentlywehavehadinitiativesinAricatotryandchangethisorexampletheAllianceoraGreenRevolutioninAricawhichcombinesopportunitiesandscienceoracceleratedplantbreeding.Butiwearetousethesetechniquesweneedcapacity.SimonsnotesthatthereisalotocapacityinAricabutitneedstobedevel-opedandmobilized.RitaMummanassociateproes-soremeritaattheUniversityoIllinoisatUrbana-ChampaignwhoteacheswiththeUniversityoCaliorniaDavisPlantBreedingAcademysaystheprogramwillhelpstudentsdevelopapaperaboutguide-linesorbreedingorphanedcropsthatwouldbesubmittedtoascienticjournal.HowardShapiroromMARsIncorporatedwhichundstheacademyaddsthatonly57plantsintheworldhavebeengeneticallysequenced.Weareaddinganother101andwiththetrainingthebreedershavetheabilitytomakedecisionsaboutplantbreedingquickerwhichwillleadtobetterplantswithamongotherthingsmuchhighernutrientcontentShapirosays.ThisisahugeleaporthediversityandsustainabilityoAricanagricultureandthestartoaverydierentutureorruralandurbanoodconsumptionpatterns.AccordingtotheNewPartnershiporAricasDevelopmentNEPADtherstorphancroptobesequencedwasthebaobaborwondertreewhichcanbedriedtoproduceruitpowder.Ithas10timestheantioxidantleveloorangestwicetheamountocalciumthanspinachthreetimesthevitaminCoorangesandourtimesmorepotassiumthanbanana.The101targetedcropswillgreatlyimprovethedietsoAricaschildrenandhelptoeliminatehungerandmalnutritionwhichcausesstunting.TheAricanPlantBreedingAcademyispartoapublic-privatecollaborationcalledtheAricanOrphanCropConsortiumbetweentheAricanUnionMarsIncorporatedGoogleWorldAgroorestryCentreWorldWildlieFundUniversityoCaliorniaDavisandtheInternationalLivestockResearchInstituteamongotherpartners.STATUSINDIATheForumoFormerViceChancellorsoKarnatakaStateUniversitiesandtheAssociationoBiotechnologyLedEnterprisesAgriculturalGroupreleasedanewbooktitledGMCropsPerceptionversusRealitywrittenbyT.M.ManjunathandK.S.Mohan.Theauthorshavemorethan40yearsoresearchexperienceinplantprotectionandbiotechnologyinboththepublicandprivatesectors.ThebookdiscussescommercialcultivationoGMcropsandstressestheirimportanceineectivepestcontrolandbetterweedmanagementinselectedcropsresultinginincreasedcropproductionandsignicantreductionintheuseopesticides.Thebookaddressescommonpublicperceptionsaroundbiotechnologybypresentingscientiicactsanddataromauthenticandcrediblesources.Theelectronicversionothebookwillbeavailablesoonatwww.agriocus.orgable-ag.STATUSTHAILANDThailandsPrincessMahaChakriSirindhornhasinstructedtheRoyalThaiAirForcetosetupacentretobreedandpreserverareplantsonDoiInthanonNationalParkinChiangMai.TheAirForceChieTreetosSonjaengsaystheprincesshastoldtheairorcetouseareasarounditsairdeensesystemstationandareasneartwopagodasontopothemountaintosetupthebreedingandconservationcentre.Theprincesssaysthecoldclimateonthemountaintopissuitedtogrowwinter-bloomingplantsandtreesTreetossays.DoiInthanonisthecountryshighestpeakinChiangMai.Treetossaystheairorcewillirstexperimentgrowingsakuratreeshopingtheywillproducefowers.HesaysconstructionotheplantbreedingcentreisexpectedtobecompletebyApril2.STATUSCANADAThemembersoPartnersinInnovationapplaudchangestoPlantBreedersRightslegislationoundinBillC-18amovetoamendcertainactsrelatingtoAgricultureandAgri-FoodtheCanadianAgriculturalGrowthActwhichhasreceivedRoyalAssent.Acoalitiono20provincialregionalandnationalorganizationsromallacrossCanadaPartnersinInnovationrepresentsthevastmajorityoarmersinCanadaandalmostallothecropproductionacrossthecountry.CoalitionmembersromcoasttocoastareunitedinsupportoamendmentstoCanadasPlantBreedersRightslegislationoundinBillC18.TheamendmentswillalignPBRwiththe1991ConventionotheInternationalUnionortheProtectionoNewPlantVarietiesoeropportunitiesorincreasedinvestmentanddeliveryonewvarietiesbothromplantbreedersoperatinginandoutsideoCanadaandensurethatarmershaveaccesstonewandimprovedvarietiesdevelopedinCanadaandinternationally.TheseareessentialCSTApresidentDaveBaute. 36IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMGLOBALSEEDWATCHingredientsoranagriculturalsectortobesustainableinnovativeandcompetitive.ThisannouncementstrikesagoodbalancebetweenarmersbeingcompetitiveandabletoaccessthebestvarietiesavailableinCanadaandinternationallyandplantbreedersreceivingareturnontheirinvestmentinresearchandinnovationsaysRonBonnettpresidentotheCanadianFederationoAgriculture.BrianOttootheBarleyCounciloCanadaaddsthattheamendmentswillstrengthentheintellectualpropertyrightsorplantbreedinginCanadainturnencouraginggreaterinvestmentandinnovationinresearchandvarietydevelopment.WeareconidentthisincreasedinvestmentwillensurebetteraccesstonewandimprovedseedvarietieswhichwillguaranteethequalityweneedtobettertargetourcustomersneedsOttosays.NowthatC-18hasbeenbroughttorealityPartnersinInnovationlooksorwardtoworkingwiththeederalgovernmentonimplementingtheamendmentstoPBRduringthenextewmonths.STATUSUNITEDSTATESAstudyconductedbyPennsylvaniaStateUniversitysuggestsanovelstrategytoenhancegenomeeditingtoincreaseefciencyomakinggeneticimprovementsinawiderangeoorganisms.Theresultscouldhelpboostapplicationssuchasdevelopingbettercropsandtreatinggeneticdiseasesinhumansaccordingtotheresearchers.ThenewstrategyisaimedatimprovinganincreasinglypopulartechniquethatgrewromtherecentdiscoveryoabacterialimmunesystemknownasCRISPR-Cas9.YinongYangaPennStateCollegeoAgriculturalSciencesproessoroplantpathologyandcorrespondingauthorothestudyexplainsthatCRISPRregionsothebacterialgenomecontainstrandsorepeatingDNAseparatedbyspacersthatmatchtheDNAsequencesovirusesthathaveattackedthebacteriumoritsancestors.Thissystemallowsabacteriumtorememberanddeendagainsttheattackeriattackedagainbythesamevirus.ThebacteriumgeneratesastrandoCRISPRRNAcontainingaspecifcspacersequencethatcoupledwithaDNA-cuttingenzymeknownasCRISPRassociatedproteinnucleaseCas9targetstheinvaderanddestroysitbyslicingitsDNA.ScientistshavediscoveredthatthissystemcanbeharnessedasapowerultooltotargetandeditalmostanyDNAsequenceinagenome.TheCRISPRCastechnologyhasbroadapplicationsinbasicbiologicalresearchmedicineandagriculture.Itisseenasthemostimportantbreakthroughinbiotechnologysoarthiscentury.BycreatingsyntheticCRISPRRNAcalledguideRNAgRNAthatmatchesaspeciicDNAsequenceinanorganismscientistscandelivertheCas9enzymepreciselytothetargetgenethattheywanttodisableormodiy.Theprocessholdspromiseorprecisionbreedingocropswithdesirabletraitssuchasdiseaseresistanceordroughttoleranceandorgenetherapytocorrectgeneticdeectsthatcausehumandiseasessuchassicklecellanemiaandcysticfbrosis.Weareconfidentthisincreasedinvestmentwillensurebetteraccesstonewandimprovedseedvarieties.BrianOttoCanadianMinisterofAgricultureandAgri-FoodGerryRitzannouncesthepassingofCanadasAgriculturalGrowthAct. 38IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMREGULATORYKEEPINGYOUINFORMEDOFLEGISLATIVEANDREGULATORYCHANGESINEUROPEANDABROADFROMLAWSUITSTOAPPROVALSTOOTHERREGULATORYISSUESAFFECTINGYOURBUSINESS.BYSHANNONSCHINDLENATIONALREACTIONMIXEDTOEUROPEANPATENTBOARDDECISIONReactionwasmixedtothedecisionotheEnlargedBoardoAppealEBAotheEuropeanPatentOfcewhichdeterminedthatplantsorplantproductsproducedbyconventionalbreedingarenotexcludedrompatentability.TwocasesoneinvolvingbroccoliandtheothertomatoeswerereerredtotheEBAtoobtainclarifcationonwhetherplantsorplantproductsproducedbyanexcludedprocessarealsoexcludedrompatentability.ThebroccolipatentbelongstoPlantBioscienceLtd.PBLacompanyintheUnitedKingdomwhilethetomatopatentisassignedtotheStateoIsrael.TheclarifcationothescopeotheprotectionorplantsandplantproductsiswelcomenewsaccordingtoMonsantoEurope-Arica.Itunderlinesthevaluetosocietyopublicandprivateinnovationinplantresearchaccordingtothecompanysblog.Thepatentsystemissocietyswayoencouraginginnovationandairlybalancingtheinterestsoinventorsandwidersociety.Thepatentsystemisverysuccessulatsupportingandstimulatinginnovationinmanyfeldsromphonestocarsbuildingscomputersandmedicinestonamejustaew.WearepleasedtheEuropeanPatentOfceagreesthebeneftsopatentingshouldbeavailabletotransormationalplantbreederssosocietycanreapthebeneftsrommoreinnovativecropsdeliveringbetterharvestsusinglessresources.PBLagrees.Thedecisioniswelcomenewsasitprovidesmuch-neededclar-ityonthescopeopatentprotectionintheEuropeanUnionorplantsandplantproductsreportsPBLinastatement.Thebroccolipatenthasbeenseenassomethingoatestcaseandthisdecisionrepresentsanimportantsteptowardsencouragingmuch-neededinnovationinagricul-tureandhorticultureintheEuropeanUnion.HowevertheEuropeanSeedAssociationESAexpresseddisap-pointmentwiththedecision.ItseemsthattheEnlargedBoardoAppealchoseaverynarrowandlegalisticinterpretationotheissueinquestionandconsequentlydecidedinavouropatentabilityoplantsratherthanrestrictingitsaysGarlichvonEssenESAsecretary-general.Thebreedersexemptionisthecorner-stoneoasystemthatsuccessullybalancestheprotectionoindividualintellectualpropertywiththecommoninterestosocietytointroduceinno-vationbroadlyandquicklybyallowingreeaccessorurtherresearchandbreeding.Thisdecisionhasthepotentialtonotonlyrestrictthisreeaccesstoquiteanumberoproductsbutalsotogenerallydiscouragebreedingeortsinareascoveredbysuchpatentsintheuture.VonEssenaddsthatESAiscallingoraneectivebreedersexemp-tionandthatmeansaneectiveexclusionrompatentabilityonotonlyplantvarietiesandessentiallybiologicalprocessesbutalsooplantsobtainedbysuchprocesses.Whilewesupportthepatentabilityotruebiotechnologicalinventionsthisrulingisshitingtheboundarybetweenthetwosystemsinavouropatents.Wethereorenowhavetoworkorsuitableinitiativesandmeasurestoshitthatboundaryback.EUDEFAULTSONGMAPPROVALSBiotechtraitsawaitingapprovalbytheEuropeanCommissionwillcontinuetowaitasanewlyelectedcommissiontakesofce.ThisisonceagainadisappointingailureotheEuropeanUniontoliveuptoitsownstatutoryrequirementsWorldTradeOrganizationcommitmentsandpolicyguidelinessaysFloydGaiblerU.S.GrainsCouncildirectoro EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEANSEEDI39CallToday1920-623-2000Seemoreathughesequipment.comhusker-rollsHUSKERROLLSPrecisionFitForMajorHuskerBrandsHUGHESYOURSTRATEGICPARTNERFORFoodProcessingEquipmentandReplacementPartsHughesHuskerManufacturingandTechnologyInnovationSince1961hughesequipment.comCOUNTONHUGHESEQUIPMENTfortheperfecthand-off.ReadilyavailablehuskerrollsforyoursweetandseedcornhuskersSpiralRollsMaxiRollsLowProfileRollsHighProfileRollsSelectrollsavailablewithandwithoutcuttingbladestradepolicy.OnpapertheEUiscommittedtoascience-basedprocesswithtransparentstandardsandareasonabletimetable.InpracticetheEUprocessispoliticallydriven.ThishurtsU.S.armersandtradersEuropeanlivestockproducersandocourseEuropeanconsumerswhoarethebiggestlosers.ThetraitsatissueenhancecornsoycanolaandcottonvarietiesandhavealreadybeenoundtobesaebytheEuropeanFoodSaetyAuthority.Bydecliningtoacttheoutgoingcommissionershavepuntedtheissuetotheirsuccessors.WhilethenewcommissionerscouldactontheapprovalsimmediatelyincomingpresidentJean-ClaudeJunckerhascalledorareviewobiotechnologyapprovalpoliciesduringhisfrstsixmonthsinofceo2015.UKRAINESETSUPFIRSTESTASITEOUTSIDEOFTHEEUTheEuropeanSeedAssociationsqualityassuranceschemeorseedtreatmentandtreatedseedtheEuropeanSeedTreatmentAssuranceESTAisestablishingitspositionasatruepan-EuropeanstandardwithanewsiteinUkraine.MasadourSeedshasbeenawardedESTAcertifcationatitsUkrainianindustrialcomplexorhybridseedproduction.ThesuccessulESTAcertifcationotheMasadourseedtreatmentsiteintheUkrainemarksanimportantnextstepinthedevelopmentoourqualityassurancescheme.ItshowstheclearcommitmentotheindustrytoimplementitshighqualitystandardsandproceduresnotonlyintheEUitselbutalsobeyondsaysGarlichvonEssenESAsecretary-general.ThisisogeneralimportanceinviewotheincreasinginternationalmovementotreatedseedandmorespecifcallyorsuchanimportantseedcountryastheUkraine.EveryESTA-certifedsitehelpstomakesurethatEUseedcompaniesarmersandgrowersalikemaysaeguardtheirlong-termaccesstocrucialseedandcropprotectiontechnologies. 40IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMREGULATORYEUPARLIAMENTBACKSGMOOPT-OUTFORMEMBERSTATESNewlegislationtoallowEuropeanUnionmemberstatestorestrictorbanthecultivationocropscontaininggeneticallymodiedorganismsontheirownterritoryevenithisisallowedatEUlevelwaspassedbymembers.ThelegislationinormallyagreedonbyParliamentandCouncilinDecemberwasoriginallytabledin2010butwasthendeadlockedorouryearsduetodisagreementbetweenpro-andanti-GMOmemberstates.ThisagreementwillensuremorefexibilityormemberstateswhowishtorestrictthecultivationotheGMOsintheirterritorysaysFrdriqueRieswhoissteeringthelegislationthroughParliament.TheagreementnegotiatedwithEUministerswasapprovedby480votesto159with58abstentions.ThenewruleswouldallowmemberstatestobanGMOsonenvironmentalpolicygroundsotherthantheriskstohealthandtheenvironmentalreadyassessedbytheEuropeanFoodSaetyAuthority.MemberstatescouldalsobanGMOcropsonothergroundssuchastownandcountryplanningrequirementssocio-economicimpactavoidingtheunintendedpresenceoGMOsinotherproductsandarmpolicyobjectives.BanscouldalsoincludegroupsoGMOsdesignatedbycroportrait.Thenewlegislationwillcomeintoorceinspring2015.INTERNATIONALBILLAMENDINGPAKISTANSSEEDACTCLEARSLEGISLATIVEPROCESSThebillamendingPakistans1976SeedActhasclearedtherststepothelegislativeprocessasthecountrysparliamentarycommitteeonNationalFoodSecurityandResearchhasvotedtoapprovetheamendment.IapprovedthebillwouldopenPakistansseedindustrytoprivatesectorparticipationandauthorisetheregistrationobiotechseeds.IthebillclearstheNationalAssemblyitwillundergoadditionallegislativestepsbeorenalapproval.Keyprovisionsincludeallowingtheprivatesectortoregisterseedcompaniesthatproduceandmarketseedsenhancingpenaltiestocurbthesaleosub-standardseedestablishingaccreditedseedtestinglaboratoriesandauthorisingtheregistrationobiotechseeds.FORAGESEEDINDUSTRYWANTSWESTERNCANADATOBEAGMALFALFA-FREEZONEAlalaseedgrowersinAlbertacouldstandtogainahugemarketadvantageovertheirneighbourstothesouthitheindustrycankeepGMalalaoutoWesternCanada.WevegotaccesstopotentialmarketgainsbypickingupmarketsthatarepossiblygoingtobelostintheStatessaidHeatherKerschbaumeraFairview-areaseedgrowerandpresidentoForageSeedCanada.Alalaistheourth-largestcropinacreageandvalueintheU.S.butcontaminationromgeneticallyengineeredcropsinsupposedlyGE-reezonesinCaliorniaandWashingtonareraisingredfagswithEuropeChinaandotherbuyers.InChinazeromeanszeroKerschbaumersaidattheAlbertaForageIndustryNetworkAGMinmid-March.FiveRoundupReadyalalavarietieswereapprovedorCanadain2013andweresettohitshelvesinEasternCanadalastspring.MonsantoandmarketerForageGeneticsInternationalheldoduetopush-backromtheindustrybutalmostadozentestplotswereplantedinOntarioandQuebeclastyearwithmoretocomethisyear.ThatsaproblemorgrowersinWesternCanadawheretheriskocontaminationisgreatersaidKerschbaumer.TheorageseedindustryislookingtohaveWesternCanadadesignatedasaGE-reezonewherecleanseedcanbeproduced.SeedcompaniesarealreadystartingtomoveseedproductionoutotheU.S.upintoCanadabecausetheyneedcleanseedstocksevenortheirownvarietiesthattheyretryingtomarketintoEurope.Theystillneedtohaveasaearea.KerschbaumersaidshesuspectsthatspartlywhyCanadagrew5300moreacresocertiedalalaseedin2014comparedto2013.Theplanhassomeprecedentshesaid.In2011MonsantoandForageGeneticsInternationalagreednottocommercializeRoundupReadyalalainCaliorniasImperialValleythelargestexporterohayintheU.S.AndasseedsuppliersorthehayindustrytheorageseedindustrycouldmakeastrongargumenttokeepGMalalaoutoWesternCanada.SYNGENTARECEIVESCHINESEIMPORTAPPROVALFORCORNTRAITSyngentahasreceivedthesaetycerticateoritsAgrisureVipteratraiteventMIR162romChinasregulatoryauthoritiesormallygrantingimportapproval.Theapprovalcoverscorngrainandprocessingbyproductssuchasdrieddistillersgrainsoroodandeeduse.TheAgrisureVipteratraitisakeycomponentoSyngentasinsectcontrolsolutionsoeringgrowersprotectionagainstthebroadestspectrumoabove-groundcornpestsandenablingsignicantcropyieldgains.AgrisureVipterahasbeenapprovedorcultivationintheU.S.since2010andhasalsobeenapprovedorcultivationinArgentinaBrazilCanadaColombiaParaguayandUruguay.SyngentaoriginallysubmittedtheimportapprovaldossiertoChineseauthoritiesinMarch2010.InadditiontoChinaAgrisureVipterahasbeenapprovedorimportintoAustraliaNewZealandBelarustheEuropeanUnionIndonesiaJapanKazakhstanKoreaMexicoPhilippinesRussiaSouthAricaTaiwanandVietnam.ORIGINAGRITECHRENEWSBIO-SAFETYCERTIFICATEFORGMPHYTASECORNOriginAgritechatechnology-ocusedsupplierocropseedsinChinahasreceivedtherenewedbio-saetycerticateromtheMinistryoAgricultureoritsgeneticallymodiedphytasecornorthenextveyears.Thebio-saetycerticatewasoriginallyreceivedin2009orOriginAgritechsGMphytasecornoraperiodoveyearswhichexpiredinAugust2014.GMseedproductsinChinamustundergoveseparatestagesoapprovalbeginningwithaPhase1laboratoryapprovaltothenalreceiptothebio-saetycerticateinPhase5.InadditiontotheoriginalphytasecornseedOriginAgritechnowhasourcommercialhybridswithphytasetraitsinPhase5thebio-saetycerticatestage.ThecompanyalsoannouncedthatitsnextgenerationGMproductglyphosatetolerancecornseedhaspassedPhase4theproductionteststageandiswaitingorthePhase5thebio-saetycerticate.OriginAgritechsGMcornproductswithstackedtraitsoglyphosatetoleranceandinsectresistanceBthaveprogressedtoPhase3theenvironmentreleaseteststage.MONSANTOCOTTONTRAITCOMESTOMARKETThecottonindustrysnext-generationtraittechnologyhasbeenderegulatedbytheU.S.DepartmentoAgriculturegivingAmericancottonarmersaccesstonewtoolsormanagingtough-to-controlweeds.AlimitedintroductionoBollgardIIXtendFlexcottonisplannedorthe2015plantingseasonthroughtheMonsanto-ownedDeltapinebrandaswellasselectlicenseesinvarietiesthattbroadlyacrosstheentirecottonbelt.Monsantoanticipatesthenewcottonvarietieswillbegrownonmorethanhalamillionacres.BollgardIIXtendFlexcottonpartotheRoundupReadyXtendCropSystemistoleranttothreedierentherbicidesdicambaglyphosateandgluosinate.Glyphosateandgluosinatearecurrentlyapprovedoruseasin-cropherbicideswhileover-the-topdicambauseispendingregulatoryapproval.WeareworkingverycloselywitharmersduringthisyearslimitedintroductionandweretakingactivestepsthroughmultipleavenuestohelpensurethatgrowersandretailersareinormedothistechnologysauthorisedandlabeledusesaidJordanIversoncottontraitsmarketingmanageratMonsantoCompany.ThisnewcottontechnologyprovidesarmersatremendousvalueorweedcontrolbyaddingtolerancetoanadditionalapprovedmodeoactionthroughLibertyherbicide.Onceauthorizeddicambaherbicidewilldeliverathirdmodeoaction. 42IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMINDUSTRYNEWSTAILOREDTOSEEDPROFESSIONALSINDUSTRYNEWSDELIVERSTHEPEOPLERESEARCHBUSINESSANDPRODUCTNEWSYOUNEEDTOKNOW.SUBMISSIONSAREWELCOME.EMAILUSATNEWSISSUESINK.COM.BYSHANNONSCHINDLEPEOPLENEWSEectiveApril1IncotecsormerCEOJanWillemBreukinkannouncedthathewillretireromthecompanysboardodirectors.Thedecisionisinaccordancewiththetransi-tionprocesstheNetherlands-basedIncotecini-tiatedin2014withtheappointmentoDouweZijpasCEO.BreukinkhasacceptedapositiononIncotecsadvisoryboardprovidingadviceandconsultationonstrategictechnicalandmarket-orientedissues.JanWillemhasbeeninvaluabletotheestablishmentandsuccessoIncotecandaninspiringleadertomanyintheseedtechnologysectorsaysBartConstandsesupervisoryboardchairman.ThroughhisnewadvisorypositionandhisvariousroleswithinSeedValleytheEuropeanSeedAssociationandtheInternationalSeedFederationweareortunatethattheorganizationwillstillbene-tromJanWillemsextensiveknowledgeandexperience.TimKerridgehasbeenappointedmanagingdirectoroDLF-TRIFOLIUMintheUnitedKingdomandIreland.TimandhisorageteamhaveconsolidatedourpositionasmarketleaderintheU.K.andasthepreerredproessionalpartnerinthegrassseedsupplychainsaysDLFTrioliumsCEOTruelsDamsgaard.Heiswellknownandrespectedandhasalreadyachievedagreatdealnotleastmanagingduring2014thedesignandbuildoa3-millionseedmixingplantoutsideEdinburghScotland.Thiswillsupply5000tonnesograssandcloverseedtoarmersacrosstheU.K.eachyear.KseniaKrasilevajoinsTheGenomeAnalysisCentresTGACScienceFacultytoleadtheInstitutesnewTriticeaeGenomicsGroupinjointappointmentwithTheSainsburyLaboratoryTSL.AstriticeaegenomicsgroupleaderKrasilevawillberesponsibleorthegenerationinte-grationinvestigationandreleaseoimprovedgenomicdataorwheatandothertriticeaespecies.EngagingwithinternationalpartnersandcollaboratorsKrasilevaandherteamwillaimtodeploythesotwareorwhole-genomeassemblyandanalysesincorporatingavari-etyodatasetsandgenerationonoveldata.ThegenomesequencedatawillbepreparedorpublicreleaseincollaborationwithotherresearchgroupsatTGACandtheEuropeanBioinormaticsInstitute.KseniajoinsTGACandTSLromUniversityoCaliorniaDaviswheresheledthedevelopmentoadvancedgenomicstoolsorwheatunderthementorshipoJorgeDubcovsky.TheInternationalWheatYieldPartnershipaundingandcoordinationpartnershiporstimulatingwheatresearchanddevelopmenttocountriesaroundtheworldhasappointedJeffGwynasdirectorandwillleadallaspectsoIWYPsprogram.IWYPbringstogetherresearchundersinternationalaidagenciesoundationscompaniesandmajorwheatresearchorganisationstohelpraisethegeneticyieldpotentialowheatbyupto50percentoverthecoming20years.IWYPwasor-mallylaunchedinMexicoattheInternationalMaizeandWheatImprovementCenterinApril2014.Gwynaplantbreederandresearchmanagerwillcreatecoordinateandguidethemultinationalresearchprogramtowardscommerciallyrelevantbreakthroughsthatresultincurrentmaximumyieldsbeingexceeded.IWYPwilllaunchitsrstcompeti-tivecallorresearchproposalsinearly2015.PRODUCTNEWSBioagriculturecompanyGroundworkBioAgLtd.hassignedagloballyexclusivelicenseagreementtodevelopproduceandcommer-cialisemycorrhizalstrainsisolatedandbredattheAgriculturalResearchOrganizationsAROsVolcaniCenter.Theagreementalsoincludesexclusiverightstoproprietaryproduc-tionmethodsthatweredevelopedatthecentreoverthelasttwodecades.ControlledeldtrialsconductedbyGroundworkandbyAROhavedemonstrateddouble-digityieldincreasesinseveralcropsincludingcornbellpeppersun-fowerandbanana.Groundworksmycorrhizalinoculantsarehighlyconcentratedpureandvigorousandthusabletoreachecacyratesthataresucientormainstreamagriculturalproducts.TheassociatesoAdTerramBVhavebegunanewandexclusivecooperationwithSeQsoBVtomeettheneedsotheagroindustryinseedselectionwitharevolutionarynewcon-cept.PlanstodevelopthisnewalliancewereinitiatedbyJanTamboerAdTerramBVand EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEANSEEDI43FredHugenSeQsoBV.ThisnewexclusivealliancewilloertheirclientsinEuropeMiddleEastAsiaandAricasupportindevelopingnewbusinesstotheirclientswitharevolutionarysingleseedselectionmeth-odologywhichwillchangetheindustrysperspectiveonusingtechnologylikethisortheircropimprovement.ThisalliancebetweenSeQsoandAdTerramisanimpor-tantsteptowardsrealisingourwishtostartusingourtechnologiesandcompetencesinthisindustryandtoaddvalueandservicetocompaniesinneedonewandexcitingplansortheuturesaysTamboer.Thenewapproachtowardtheindustryinselectionmethodologiesisreallyveryexcitingweoeraturnkeysolutiontothosecompanieswhowanttouseseedselectionintheirpro-gramsinordertomeettodaysstandardsandthestandardsotheuture.NRGenehasmappedivenovelcomplexmaizegenomesromthemostcommerciallysuccessulpubliclyavailablelinesusingitsproprietaryDeNovoMAGICbigdataanalysisplatorm.DeliveringresultsinunderaweekoreachgenomeDeNovoMAGIChascon-structedverydetailedandhighlyaccurateassembliesthathaveledtothediscoveryonewgenes.Previousattemptsatmappingtookmonthsandyears.NRGenesDeNovoMAGICplatormisproventoallowquickandaccuratere-constructionoreerencegenomesoreventhemostcomplexgenomeslikemaize.GlobaloodscarcitymeansthatplantgeneticistsandbreedersmustproducebetterseedsmuchastersaysGilRonenNRGenesCEO.OurgenomicbigdataDeNovoMAGICtechnologyisalreadysupportingthemwiththepreciseandrelevantdatarequiredtoboosttheirresearchtowardgainingheartieryields.BUSINESSNEWSEurofnsGenomicsthegenomicsdivisionotheEurofnsScientifcGroupandinter-nationalmarketleaderingenomicserviceshasnowestablisheditsownsubsidiaryinAustria.CustomerswillbeserveddirectlythroughEuronsGenomicsATGmbHlocatedinVienna.Theacquisitionotheoligonucle-otidesynthesisandDNAsequencingbusi-nessesromVBC-BiotechwillallowEuronsGenomicstobeneitromlocalpresenceinAustriaaswellasleveragingtheglobalnet-workproductioncapacityandinrastructureotheEuronsorganisation.ThenewdirectpresenceinAustriawillprovidevaluetoourcustomersbydemonstratingourcommit-menttothismarket.FurthermoreViennacanserveasaperecthuboruturebusinessintoCentralandEasternEuropeandbeyondsaysSiegriedSchnablmanagingdirectoroEuronsGenomicsAT.KoppertBiologicalSystemshasbegunworkonconstructionoanewinternationalresearchanddevelopmentcentrelocatedinBerkelenRodenrijstheNetherlands.Thenewcentrewillalsocontributetointernationalcooperationbetweentheentomologyandmicrobiologydisciplines.Itwillbeequippedwithalargenumberomodernclimate-controlledchambersorresearchintonaturalenemiesunderarangeoclimaticconditions.Theentomologylaboratorywillalsobelocatedclosetothemicrobiologicalproductslaboratory.Accordingtothecompanythiswillresultinmorenationalandinternationalexchangesoknowledgebetweentheentomologyandmicrobiologydepartmentsinthedevelopmentointegratedcultivationsystems.PETKUSTechnologieGmbHhasopenedoneothemostmodernseedprocessingplantsinGermany.TheRaieisenWarenGmbHKasselisaturnkeyprocessingplantinclud-ingcombinedstoragesilosinGroengottern.With162yearsoexperiencePETKUSbringsitspartnersandcustomersthecompanysspecialtyeldoseedandgrainprocessingmachines.Thankstothenewacilitythepro-cessingandreningovariousdierentcerealspeciessuchaswheatbarleyryeandoatstohigh-qualitycertiedseedwillnowtakeplaceinGroengottern.EurofnsGenomicsapioneerandkeypro-videronextgenerationsequencingNGSandIgenbioaleadingprovideromicrobialbio-inormaticsandgenemanipulationtoolsandserviceshaveannouncedaco-operationagree-menttocombinetheirexpertiseinsequenc-ingandanalysisservicesormicrobialungalandalgalorganisms.Withthecooperationcustomersbenetromone-stopshoppingorcompletegenomicsprojectsthatdeliveranalysisresultsromrawextractedDNA.Bothcompaniestogetherserveaworldwidemarketortheirproductsandservices.WetakespeciccaretobuildupatechnicalandoperationalpipelinewhichissuitabletomeetourqualitystandardsandthehighservicelevelwewanttoprovidetoourcustomerssaysBrunoPoddevinseniorvice-presidentoEuronsGenomics.Thespecicknow-howandbioinormaticscapabilitiesoIgenbioareanexcellentttoourportolioorprokaryoticyeastandungalgenomesequencingservices.EvogeneLtd.hasopeneddedicatedresearchanddevelopmentacilitiesatitsRehovotacilityinIsraeltosupportthecompanysproductprogramsocusingonungusinsectandweedcontrol.Thecompanyseescropprotectionasamajorocusogrowthandexpansionandlookstodevelopnovelseedtraitsaswellasseedexternalsolutionsortheseareas.OverthepastyearEvogenesignicantlyincreaseditsactivitiesintheareaocropprotection.Inlate2013aspartoitsmulti-yearcollaborationwithMonsantothecompanyannouncedanewproductprogramtargetingstalkrotdiseasecausedbyvariousungispecies.InAprilEvogenediscloseditsentryintotheareaoplantinsectresistanceandcontrolwithinitialactivitiesocusingondevelopingseedtraitsdisplayingresistancetotwokeyinsectscornrootwormandsoybeanaphid.Withrespecttoweedcontrolthecompanyrecentlyannouncedthatitanticipatescompletingduring2015astart-to-endmoleculardiscoveryplatormorthedevelopmentochemicalherbicidesbasedonnovelmodesoaction.BayerCropScienceisoptimisticaboutthedevelopmentperspectivesotheagriculturalmarketsandcommitstoinvestsignicantlytodelivernewsolutionsorsustainableagri-culture.Weareconvincedothelong-termgrowthpotentialotheagriculturalmar-ketsdespiteincreasingvolatilitysaysLiamCondonBayerCropScienceCEO.Weexpecttheworldwidemarketoragriculturalinputsocropprotectionproductsseedsandtraitstogrowtoaround100billionby2020uprom50billionin2008.Thecompanyhasembarkedonaninvestmentprogramthatwillseecapitalexpenditureso2.4billionthroughto2016whichincludes1.3billiontobespentinEuropewith800millionplannedorGermany.By2016BayerCropSciencealsoplansorcapitalexpenditureso700millioninNorthAmericaand400millioninLatinAmericaandAsiaPacic.Thelargestindivid-ualinvestmentsareplannedortheDormagenFrankurtandKnapsacksitesinGermanyaswellasMobileAlabamaandKansasCityMissouriintheUnitedStates.INDUSTRYNEWSScientistsattheJohnInnesCentreintheUnitedKingdomdiscoverwhytherstbudsospringcomeincreasinglyearlier.ResearcherStevenPeneldoundthatplantshaveanidealtemperatureorseedsetandfoweratapar-ticulartimeoyeartomakesuretheirseeddevelopsjustastheweatherhaswarmedtothissweetspottemperature.Peneldwork-ingwithVickiSpringthorpeattheUniversityoYorkoundthesweetspotorthemodelplantArabidopsisthalianaasmallfower-ingplantnativetoEurasiaisbetween14and15Celcius.Seedsthatdevelopintempera-tureslowerthan14Cwillalmostalwaysremaindormantandailtogerminate.Thisallowsthemotherplanttoproduceseedswithdierentgrowthstrategiesincreasingthechancesthatsomeoherprogenywillsuccessullycomplete 44IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMINDUSTRYNEWSanothergeneration.Astheclimatechangesthesweetspotorseedscomesearlierintheyearsorstfowersbloomcorrespondinglyearliertoo.TheresearchwhichreceivedundingromtheBiotechnologyandBiologicalResearchCouncilBBSRCandwaspublishedineLieusedcomputermodelstounderstandthegrowthstrategyoArabidopsisthaliana.TheEuropeanTechnologyPlatormPlantsortheFuturePlantETPorgan-isedahigh-levelconerencetopresentitsthreeActionPlansinBrussels.Plantbreed-ersarmersandpublicresearchersworkedtogetherwithintherameworkothePlantETPtodevelopjointsolutionstobetterrespondtospecicchallengesandworkorsupportiveandclearpolicies.TheseActionPlansmustbeunderstoodasanintegratedstrategicapproachorEuropetoaddressprincipalchallengessuchasoodsecurityhealthydietsandclimatechangewiththehelpoitsbreedingsectorstatedGarlichvonEssensecretary-generaloEuropeanSeedAssociation.MembersotheEuropeanParliamentCommissionOcialsandrepre-sentativesromtheMemberStatestogetherwiththestakeholdersothePlantETPdis-cussedthepossiblesolutionsthatresearchandinnovationcouldprovideandhowtheEuropeanplantbreedingsectorcanplayakeyroleinrespondingtosocietalchallenges.EuropeanleaderswerecalledupontolendmoresupporttothesectorandcreatetheappropriateregulatoryrameworktomaintainEuropesgloballeadershipandtoallowplantbreederstoputonthemarketinnovativeprod-uctsrespondingtoconsumersneeds.AresearchteamromtheHuazongAgriculturalUniversityinChinastudiedtheexpressionoRNAintererenceRNAisequencesromaFusariumgraminearumvirulencegenechitinsynthaseChs3btoenhancewheatresistancetousariumheadblightFHBandusariumseedlingblightFSB.ThreeRNAiconstructswereoundtosilenceChs3bintransgenicF.gramine-arumstrains.Thesewerethenexpressedintwotransgenicwheatlines.ThetransgenicsexhibitedhighlevelsoresistancetoFHBandFSB.ThethreeRNAipresentinthetransgenicwheatecientlydown-regulatedtheChs3bexpressioninthepathogen.Resultsshowthathost-inducedgenesilencingoanessen-tialungalchitinsynthasegeneisaneectivestrategyorenhancingresistanceinplants.KansasStateUniversityscientistshavereleasedndingsoacomplextwo-yearstudyothegenomicdiversityowheatthatcreatesanimportantoundationorutureimprove-mentsinwheataroundtheworld.Theirworkhasproducedtheirsthaplotypemapowheatthatprovidesdetailedadescriptionogeneticdierencesinaworldwidesampleowheatlines.Allothesenewgenomic-basedstrategiesobreedingpromisetosignii-cantlyacceleratebreedingcyclesandshortenreleasetimeouturewheatvarietiessaysEduardAkhunovassociateproessoroplantpathologyandtheprojectsleader.Akhunovsaidthehaplotypemapgivesscientistsquickaccesstorichgeneticvariationdatathatincreasestheprecisionomappinggenesinthewheatgenomeandimprovesscientistsabilitytoselectthebestlinesinbreedingtrials.TheprojectwascoordinatedthroughtheInternationalWheatGenomeSequencingConsortiumandincludedgroupsinCanadaAustraliatheU.K.andtheU.S.AnewreportAgriculturalInoculantsMarketbyTypeSourceModeoApplicationCropTypeandGeographyGlobalTrendsForecaststo2019publishedbyMarketsandMarketsprojectstheagriculturalinoculantsmarkettoreach398.56millionby2019withacompoundannualgrowthrateCAGRo9.5percentrom2014.LatinAmericaisprojectedtoemergeastheastestgrowingregionwithaCAGRoapproximately10percentrom2014to2019.Accordingtotheauthorsagriculturalinoculantsaregainingpopularitybecauseotheirmulti-unctionalbenetstoplantsinsustainableagriculture.Growthotheagriculturalinoculantsmarketisprimarilytriggeredbyactorssuchasriseincostanddemandorchemicalmineralertilisersandpesticidesandincreasingawarenessaboutorganicarmingpractices.Eventhoughthereareanumberoproductsavailableinthemarkettheinoculantsmarketisunder-exploredaccordingtotheauthorsothereport.Lackoawarenessamongthearmersandprevailingproblemswithinmarketinganddistributionarerestrictingtheavailabilityoinoculantsatthearmlevel.AccordingtoBCCResearchsnewreportAgriculturalBiotechnologyEmergingTechnologiesandGlobalMarketstheglobalmarketoragbiotechnologyisexpectedtogrowtoUS46.8billionby2019withave-yearcompoundannualgrowthrateCAGRo11percent.ThebiotechnologytoolscategorytheastestgrowingsegmentothemarketismovingataCAGRo49.9percent.RapidchangesinhighlytechnicaleldssuchasDNAsequencinggenomeeditingandsyntheticbiologyaredrivingnewproductsandapplica-tionsinagricultureaccordingtotheauthors.Genomic-enabledproductsthelargestseg-mentotheoverallmarketincludetransgenicseedsandsyntheticbiology-enabledproductswhichuseplanteed-stocks.ThissegmentisexpectedtoreachUS38.6billionin2019toregisteraCAGRo10percent.KeeleUniversityandRussellIPMLtdintheUnitedKingdomhavebeenawardedund-ingoraKnowledgeTranserPartnershiptodesignimprovedtrapsorthecontrolothripsandwhitefiesthathaveahugeimpactonglobaloodproduction.Westernlowerthripscauseextensivenanciallossesoatleast3000perhectareperseasontosotruitgrowers.Themarketislargeandwith4969hectaresostrawberriesgrowninBritainthecostodamageinthatareaalonecouldrunto15millioneachyear.Whitefyattacksvegetablesgrowningreenhousesandopen-eldcrops.Therearearound57white-fyspeciesthatareparticularlydamagingtocropsnotonlybyeedingontheplantsthem-selvesbutbycarryingdisease-causingvirusesaswell.KeelescientistsledbyWilliamKirkandproessorGordonHamiltonintheSchooloLieScienceswillworkwithRussellIPMLtdduringthetwo-yearpartnershiptotranserknowledgeandskillstothecompanytoimprovetrapsorthecontrolothripsandwhitefiesingreenhousecrops.ExpertsromtheUnitedKingdomandIndiaareworkingtogethertoidentiyanddevelopnovelenvironmentallysustaina-blestrategiestocontrolplantpestsknownasplant-parasiticnematodesoreelwormstoensureglobaloodproductionandsecu-rity.ThisprojectisundedbytheU.K.-IndiaEducationandResearchInitiativeUKIERI.Plant-parasiticnematodesarethoughttocauseannuallossestocropsintheregiono77billionto100billionglobally.Sincethemiddleothe20thcenturythesecroppestshavebeencontrolledthroughtheuseosyn-theticpesticides.StillthesearesomeothemostenvironmentallytoxiccompoundsusedinagricultureandlegislationprohibitstheiruseinmanypartsotheworldincludingEuropeandtheU.S.Hencelessenvironmen-tallyharmulmethodsocontrolarerequired.BothIndiaandtheU.K.haveaproblemwithpotatocystnematodeswhichhasaseriousimpactonthepotatocropseachyear.Thisprojectistodevelopnaturalsolutionstocon-trolthesepestsonthisimportantstaplecropsaysKeithDaviesseniorlecturerinappliednematologyattheUniversityoHertordshire.ThenewlyormedUnitedKingdom-basedNorwichRustGroupaimstodevelopdura-bleresistanceincrops.Exploitingadvancesingenomicsscientistswillinvestigatehowpara-siticrustungiinvadeandeedoplants.Theywillalsousethesenewtechniquestolocategenesinsomevarietiesocropsthatareabletoresistinvasion.Therearemorethan7000speciesorustungicausingdiseasessuchaswheatstemrustwheatyellowstriperustAsiansoybeanrustandcoeerust.TheNorwichRustGroupiscomprisedoPetervanEsseKseniaKrasilevaMatthewMoscouBenjaminPetre EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEANSEEDI45DianeSaundersCristobalUauyandBrandeWul.Theircombinedresearchinterestsrangeromdetailedunderstandingohowpathogenscausediseasethroughtothebreedingoresist-anceinthehostplants.Theyspecicallywillocusonrustpathogensthatinectagricultur-allyandeconomicallyimportantplantssuchaswheatbarleyandsoybean.TheNorwichRustGroupNRGaimstobecomeahuborrustresearchandalreadyhas52collaboratorsin23countriesaroundtheworldalldriventodevelopnewtechnologiesandapproachestocombatrustungieciently.AnewstudyromtheUniversityofExeterintheUnitedKingdomhasoundthatvirusescarriedbycommercialbeescanjumptowildpollinatorpopulationswithpotentiallydev-astatingeects.Theresearchersarecallingornewmeasurestobeintroducedthatwillpreventtheintroductionodiseasedpollina-torsintonaturalenvironments.Fast-evolvingvirusescarriedbythesemanagedpopulationshavethepotentialtodecimatewildpollinatorspeciesincludingbeeshoverfiesandbutter-liesplacingbiodiversityandoodsecurityatrisk.Theresearchersreviewedexistingstudiestodeterminethepotentialordiseaseemergencewithinwildpollinatorcommunitiesbasedonknownhoneybeeviruses.Themainculpritodisease-relatedlossesromcommer-cialhoneybeecoloniesistheVarroamite.Thisparasitehelpsspreadviraldiseasesandmayincreasetheirvirulence.Oneothesevirusesthedeormedwingvirushasrecentlybeenidentiiedasanemergingdiseaseinpollinatorsanditsprevalenceincommercialhoneybeeshasbeenlinkedtoitsexistenceinwildbumblebees.Futureworkwillinvestigatewhichcommercialspeciesisdrivingdiseasetransmission.Theresearcherswillalsomon-itortheeectivenessoexistingconservationschemestodeterminetheirsuccessinprotect-ingwildpollinatorpopulations.TheInternationalServicefortheAcquisitionofAgri-BiotechApplicationsISAAAhasreleaseditsannualassessmentoglobalbiotechcropacreageshowingthat18millionarmersplanted181.5millionhectaresobiotechcropsacross28countriesin2014the18thstraightyearogrowthandthemosteverinasingleyear.AccordingtotheauthorsBangladeshbecamethenewestcountrygrowingbiotechcropsaterapprovingBtbrinjalplant-ingsandorthethirdstraightyeardevelopingcountriesgrewthemajorityobiotechcropsdemonstratingthetechnologyisscale-neutralandcanbringeconomicandenvironmentalbenetstoarmslargeandsmall.Farmersaceincrediblechallengesmaintainingabundanthigh-qualityharvestsinatimeoextremegrowingconditionsandreducedavailabilityonaturalresourcessaysDeniseDewarexecu-tivedirectororplantbiotechnologyatCropLieInternational.Ourindustryisproudtosupportthesegrowersthroughbiotechseedsthatghtinsectsweedsanddiseasesbuildresiliencetoextremeweatherandultimatelyimprovetheirabilitytoeedourworld.Acreagegrowthhasbeendrivenbyarmerswhocontinuetoplantbiotechseedsyear-ater-yearinactISAAAestimatesthattherepeatplantingrateorbio-techcropsisvirtually100percent.AnewreportromresearchersattheUniversityofMinnesotaInstituteontheEnvironmenthasoundthatclimatevari-abilityhistoricallyaccountsorone-thirdoyieldvariabilityormaizericewheatandsoy-beansworldwidetheequivalento36millionmetrictonsooodeachyear.Thisprovidesval-uableinormationplannersandpolicymakerscanusetotargeteortstostabilisearmerincomeandoodsupplyandsoboostoodsecurityinawarmingworld.Theresearcherslookedatnewlyavailableproductionstatisticsormaizericewheatandsoybeanrom13500politicalunitsaroundtheworldbetween1979and2008alongwithprecipitationandtemper-aturedata.Theteamusedthisdatatocalcu-lateyear-to-yearfuctuationsandestimatehowmuchotheyieldvariabilitycouldbeattributedtoclimatevariabilityabout32to39percentoyear-to-yearvariabilityortheourcropscouldbeexplainedbyit.Thisissubstantialtheequivalento22millionmetrictonnesomaizethreemillionmetrictonnesoriceninemillionmetrictonnesowheatandtwomillionmetrictonnesosoybeansperyear.Theresearchteamisnowlookingathistoricalrecordstoseewhetherthevariabilityattribut-abletoclimatehaschangedovertimeandisowhataspectsoclimatearemostpertinent.Aninternationalconsortiumomorethan30researchinstituteshasdecipheredthecomplexgenomesequenceofoilseedrapeBrassicanapusL.morecommonlyknownascanolathemostimportantoilseedcropinEuropeCanadaandAustralia.Thestudyshowedthatapartromthepost-Neolithichybridisationthatledtoitsormationoilseedrapehasoneothemosthighlyduplicatedgenomesoallfoweringplantsbecauseonumerousolderpolyploidi-sationsthatoccurredduringitsevolution.Thisphenomenonledtotheaccumulationoagreatnumberogenes101000intotaloneothehighestgenedensitiesoanypreviouslysequencedorganismandourtimesmorethanthe20000-25000genesohumans.Themaindicultyoroilseedrapehasbeentodier-entiateitsdierentsub-genomes.Thishasbeenachievedbythedevelopmentoanorig-inalsequencingstrategybioinormaticstoolsandtheanalysisoduplicatedgeneexpressionandtheirregulationsaysBoulosChalhoubotheFrenchNationalInstituteorAgriculturalResearchINRAwhocoordinatedtheresearcheortswithintheinternationalconsortium.ThepaperpresentingtheresearchresultshasbeenpublishedinthejournalScience.WEBANDAPPNEWSPhenomeNetworksaplantbreedingman-agementandanalyticssotwarecompanyhaslaunchedProjectUnityacollaborativeweb-basednetworkdesignedtohostmanageanalyseandsharephenotypicandgenotypicstudiesoplantsandanimals.ProjectUnityletsresearchersprivatelylinkandcorrelatetheirresultswiththeworldsdataunleashingresearchinsightsthroughbigdataanalytics.Researcherscanconnecttheirentitiesgen-otypesphenotypesandmarkerstocommonontologiesandmapsandgetimmediateaccesstotheentirewealthoresearchdataromleadinguniversities.TheideathatProjectUnitypromotesohavingasingleplatormormanagingandsharinggermplasmphe-notypesandgenotypesisveryimportantorbothscienticandteachingpurposessaysToddWehnerproessoratNorthCarolinaStateUniversityandawatermelonandcucumberbreeder.DataloadedintoProjectUnityispri-vateandcanbeaccessedonlybythepersonwhouploadedit.Sharingodatasetseitherwithspecicusersorwiththepublicisullyupontheusersdiscretion.ProjectUnitysim-pliestheanalysisprocessophenotypesandgenotypescreatesstandardisationandallowssmartcomparisonamongdierentdatasetseventuallyleadingtobetterunderstandingogeneseectsonphenotypes.Theplatormiscurrentlyinbetatestingandreeochargeoracademicuse.Laterin2015itwillbeupgradedtoincludeullplantbreedingmanagementunctionality.www.phenome-networks.comTheNationalAgriculturalLibraryNALhasunveiledPubAgauser-riendlysearchenginethatgivesthepublicenhancedaccesstoresearchpublishedbytheU.S.DepartmentoAgriculturescientists.NALispartotheUSDAsAgriculturalResearchService.PubAgisanewportalorliteraturesearchesandull-textaccessomorethan40000scienticjournalarticlesbyUSDAresearchersmostlyrom1997to2014.NewarticlesbyUSDAresearcherswillbeaddedalmostdailyandolderarticlesmaybeaddedipossible.Phase1oPubAgprovidesaccessorsearcheso340000peer-reviewedagriculturally-relatedscientiicliteraturemostlyrom2002to2012eachentryoeringacitationabstractandalinktothearticleiavailableromthepublisher.Thisinitialgroupohighlyrele-vanthigh-qualityliteraturewastakenromtheourmillionbibliographiccitationsinNALsdatabase.Phase2oPubAgplannedorlaterin2015willincludetheremainderoNALssigni-icantbibliographicrecords.ThereisnoaccesseeorPubAg.httppubag.nal.usda.govpubaghome.xhtml 46IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMEXTRASSEEDSOFTIMEAnewdocumentaryhasbeenreleasedonatopicverynearanddeartomanyintheseedindustryseedbanks.SeedsoTimeaddressestheimportanceopreservingtheworldsgeneticresourcesintheaceoclimatechangeandagrowingglobalpopulation.AperectstormisbrewingasagriculturepioneerCaryFowlerracesagainsttimetoprotecttheutureoourood.Seedbanksaroundtheworldarecrumblingcropailuresareproducingstarvationandriotingandtheacceleratingeectsoclimatechangeareaectingarmersglobally.CommunitiesoindigenousPeruvianarmersarealreadysueringthoseeectsastheytrydesperatelytosaveover1500varietiesonativepotatointheirfelds.ButwithlittletimetowastebothFowlerandthearmersembarkonpassionateandpersonaljourneysthatmaysavetheoneresourcewecannotlivewithoutourseeds.Mostofustakeseedsforgranted.Thefateofhumankindisrestingonthesegeneticresourcesseeds.Sonothingcouldbemoreimportant.CaryFowlerEXPOMILANO2015ExpoMilano2015willbetheirstWorldExpototakeplaceinEuropein15yearsanditsthemeFeedingthePlanetEnergyorLieisovitalimportanceorEuropeandtheworld.Thethemewilluniteover140participantsandinspireactionaroundthechallengesandopportunitiesacingourglobaloodsystemandthesustainabledevelopmentoourplanet.ExpoMilano2015isaglobaleventthatoersanexcellentopportunitytohighlighttheintenseworkthattheEUanditsmemberstatesaredoingintheareaooodsecuritydevelopmentandsustaina-bleagriculture.TheexhibitionshowsthecreativedynamicandthoughtulwaysinwhichparticipantshaveinterpretedthethemeotheExpo.TheEUsmessagesatExpowillberelayedthroughthefctionalcharactersAlexandSylviaaarmerandascientistthrowntogetherinunlikelycir-cumstances.ThesetwocharactersareeasyorvisitorstorelatetoandwillguidethemthroughEUhistorycurrentoodpoliciesandthepromisingtechnologiesotheuture.ThethemeoExpoisatthecrossroadsoseveralEUpoliciesromdevelopmenttoagricultureromoodsaetytoenvironmentromindustrytoresearchandinnovation.Runningor184daysrom1Mayto31Octoberthisgiantexhibitionsitecoveringonemillionsquaremetresisexpectedtowelcomeover20millionvisitorswhowillexperienceauniquejourneythatlooksatthecomplexthemeonutrition.ExpoMilano2015willocustheworldsattentiononaddressingthesechallengesandprovideaplatormtodeliberateonthesepressingissues.TolearnmoreabouttheEUsplansandroleatExpoMilano2015visiteuropa.euexpo2015orexpo2015.org.Tolearnmoreaboutthedocumentaryorhostascreeningothemovievisitseedsotimemovie.comhost_intl. EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEANSEEDI47CALENDAROFEVENTS9June2015to12June2015ISTAWorkshoponSeedSamplingandQualityAssuranceinSeedTestingandISTAWorkshoponTetrazoliumTestingforViabilityanditsuseasaVigourTestforGlycineMaxColoniaUruguay19June2015to20June2015ISTAWorkshoponMoistureDeterminationCanelonesUruguay25May2015to27May2015InternationalSeedFederationWorldSeedCongressKrakowPoland5July2015to8July2015InternationalSocietyforSeedScienceSeedLongevityWorkshopWernigerodeGermanyEUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEANSEEDI47UPCOMINGEVENTSCONFERENCESANDTRADESHOWSINYOURREGIONANDAROUNDTHEWORLD.SUBMISSIONSAREWELCOME.EMAILUSATNEWSISSUESINK.COM.15June2015to18June2015ISTAAnnualMeeting2015MontevideoUruguay11May2015to12May20153rdPlantGenomicsCongress-LondonLondonUnitedKingdom24Augustto27August2015InternationalPlantProtectionCongress2015BerlinGermany1May2015to31October2015WorldExpo2015FeedingthePlanetEnergyforLifeMilanItaly 48IEUROPEANSEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COMGIANTVIEWSPOLITICSVS.SCIENCEBYBEATSPTHBeatSpthisthedirectorofagriculturalbiotechnologyatEuropaBiotheEuropeanAssociationofBioIndustries.tthetimeofwritingtheEUCommissionisreviewingtheauthorisationsystemforgeneticallymodifiedorganismsasoneofitspriorities.Giventhattheauthorisationsystemhasbeeninterruptedthelogicalwaytofixitwouldsimplybetostarttheauthorisationsystemagain.Butitisdoubtfulthatthisreviewwillmarkashifttowardsactualimplementationandcoherentandscience-basedpolicy-making.ThestrictEuropeanpre-marketauthorisationsystemhasalwaysbeendysfunctionalforcultivationandiscurrentlydysfunctionalforimports.TheEuropeanCommissionandseveralmemberstateshavelostcourtcasesfornotrespectingbindingEUlaw.In2013theEuropeanCourtofJusticeruledthattheEuropeanCommissionhasfailedtofulfilitsobligationsintheGMauthorisationprocessandtheCommissionadmittedontherecordthatitregularlymissesthedeadlinesforputtingsafety-assessedGMcropstothevotebymemberstates.Inadditionin2006theWTOcondemnedtheEUfornotrespectingitsinternationalobligationsinthisarea.Although48GMcropsarealreadyapprovedforimportintotheEUtheEuropeanCommissionhasputimportauthorisationsonholdsinceNovember2013.ThishasbeendonedespitepositiveopinionsfromtheEuropeanFoodSafetyAgencyonthe17pendingproductsandinconclusivevotesbymemberstates.MeanwhilefarmersoutsideEuropegrowapprovedbiotechcropswhichmaybefoundintracesincommodityimportsgiventhattheindustrycanneverguarantee100percentpurity.HowevertheEUhasazerotolerancepolicyfortracesofGMcropsapprovedinothergeographiesbutnotyetapprovedintheEU.TheseGMcropsshowupincommodityimportsforfoodeffectivelycreatingatradebarrier.InthecaseofcommodityimportsforfeedusesthecommissionhasdefinedatechnicalsolutionthatcorrespondstothedetectabilityofzeropresenceofGMOsnotapprovedintheEU.InordertotrytorectifythissituationtheEuropeanCommissioniscurrentlycollectingGMOimportdatafrommemberstatesandiscommissioninganexternalstudytoevaluatetheneedtointroduceasimilarconceptortechnicalsolutionforcommoditiesintendedforfooduses.InthemeantimeEuropeanpolicy-makingkeepsconfirmingEuropesdirectiontowardsbecomingamuseumofworldfarming.InMarch2015theEUadoptedlegislationallowingindividualmemberstatestobanthecultivationofGMcropsapprovedassafeattheEUlevelaslongasthebansarebasedonnon-scientificgrounds.LetmebeclearthatthisdoesnotchangetheEUauthorisationsystemitselfanditdoesnotchangetheCommissionslegalobligationtoputsafety-assessedproductstothevote.Onlysevenproductapplicationsremaininthesystemforcultivationseveralhavingbeenwithdrawnbycompaniesafterhavingbeenheldupintheapprovalsystemformorethan10years.Industryconsidersthisso-callednon-cultivationlegislationasastopsignforinnovationthatdisregardstheprinciplesoftheinternalmarketandofscienceandrepresentsoneofthebiggestinvestmentdisincentivesforhigh-techsectors.Afterspendingclosetofiveyearsnegotiatingthisnon-cultivationlegislationwebelievethattheEUmissedagoldenopportunityforinjectinglogicandlegalpredictabilityintoitsapproachtoseeds.Indeedtodatethereisnointernalmarketforseeds.Seedsasproductsofagriculturecontainrecognisedthresholdsfortracesofimpuritiesandadmixturesincludingtoxicimpuritiessuchascancer-causingmycotoxins.HoweverthethresholdfortracesofGMseedsinbatchesofconventionalseedsincludingGMseedsthathavebeenproventobeatleastassafeasconventionalseedsiszero.Thisisyetanothertradeandinternalmarket-distortingsituationthatcouldbefixedbyaCommissionproposalsimilartotheonewhichwasreadytoenterthelegislativeprocedureintheearly2000sandrequestedrepeatedlyandunanimouslybymemberstatesin2006and2008.Itsoftensaidthateveryoneisentitledtotheirownopinionbutnottotheirownfacts.IfpoliticsstopsorundulydelaystheapprovalofGMcropsevenforimportwithoutclearlyjustifyingthedelayorbyblamingunfoundedscientificconcernsthenpoliticstrumpsscience.IfapoliticaldecisionismadetorejectaproductassessedassafebyEFSAasoftenoccursinthecaseofGMOsthereasonbehindthepoliticaldecisionmustbeclearlycommunicatedandnotconfusedwithunfoundedscientificconcernsinordertoavoidcreatingconsumermistrustinscience.Themostobviousandeasiestgeneratorofinnovationjobsandgrowthistoapprovesafenewproductswithinlegallyprescribedandpredictabletimelinesensuringconsumersafetywhilegivingindustrytheconsistencyitrequirestooperate.A