Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 5238 I EUROPEAN SEED I EUROPEAN-SEED.COM SPOTLIGHT: HUNGARIAN SEED ASSOCIATION HSA membership is compulsory for those dealing with plant breeding, seed multiplication, processing, trading, and seed export and import according to the legislations in force. The most important obligation linked to HSA membership is supplying data about seed marketing and production. Collecting data from our members, from the Agricultural Chamber, from other NGOs and from the Ministry and its authorities helps us to provide useful up-to-date information to our members. The data transfer can assist us to create good, professional relationships with other organisations and Ministry officials. Recently, HSA entered into cooperation with the Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture, with the main goal of enhancing harmonisation in the seed sector. Over the past five years, the role and weight of the agricultural professional associations has changed significantly. The reforms of the state administration resulted in a decrease of authorities and governmental institutions, and enhanced the importance of the professional opinions of the associations. This was the basis for and the reason why we made a Partnership Agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen the cooperation with respect to changing information, preparation and the opinion of legislation framework. The association represents the Hungarian seed sector at international events and shares its experiences with its members in order to contribute to the successful operation of the sector. We have connections with several regional and international seed organisations (e.g. European Seed Association, Confédération Européenne de la Production de Maïs, International Seed Federation, Copa-Cogeca and the Ukrainian Seed Partnership Association) either as a member or a collaborating partner. Hungary had an active participation in the Eastern European Seed Network (EESNET) until 2010, when the EESNET organisation joined ESA. Hungary was also the host country of the first ESA Congress held outside of Brussels, in Budapest in 2011. The presence of several multinational companies active in seed production and the seed market, the seed industry’s significant export share, and close international cooperation in plant breeding are the main drivers of Hungary’s seed sector’s international relationships. The association participates in ESA’s work, sends a representative to the ESA board and has a member in the oilseed crop section. We support ESA’s common European advocacy activity with Hungarian opinions and information. In 2017, Budapest will welcome many seed professionals at the World Seed Congress. The event’s slogan of ‘Growing Beyond Bridges’ emphasises the common goals of the host country as well as ISF. The Hungarian seed industry has always made every effort to create a bridge between eastern and western Europe, and between tradition and innovation in all areas of the seed sector. The HSA is very proud to be the host of the seed industry’s biggest event in 2017. Besides maintaining good international relations, HSA continues its long-term professional programmes. Among these, the Post-Registration Variety Trials have the greatest importance. Ten years ago, HSA, in cooperation with the National Grain Producers’ Association, and supported by private companies, established a variety trial for winter wheat and maize. In the absence of a recommended list of varieties, such trials can provide farmers with information on the values and performance of newly registered varieties to be marketed in Hungary. There are 40 to 50 new varieties in the programme annually on 12 sites, covering Hungary’s main cereal production areas. HSA has several tasks and positions derived from the association’s activity, and it forms and expresses opinions concerning the national regulatory processes. An HSA delegate is a member of the National Plant Registration Council, and HSA chairs the Propagating Material Working Group of the Hungarian Standards Institution. Field trials.