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 5240 I EUROPEAN SEED I EUROPEAN-SEED.COM INTERNATIONAL NEWS GLOBAL SEED WATCH AFRICAN COUNTRIES DEALING WITH LATIN AMERICAN MOTH AND NEW CROP PROTECTION TECHNIQUE DEVELOPED STATUS AUSTRALIA Crop seed for planting is a highly valuable asset and growers are encouraged to scrutinise and test it for disease carry- over, germination, vigour, degradation and any weed seed contamination. Friday Obanor, Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Manager Disease, said using quality, well- managed seed would help to ensure the establishment of a healthy crop in 2017. He said there was high disease pressure leading into the 2017 cropping season stemming from record wet 2016 growing and harvesting conditions in some parts of the Western Australian grain belt. “This has particularly increased the risks of canola seed carrying-over fungal disease pathogens and sclerotes from sclerotinia stem rot (caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum),” he said. “Last year’s conditions were similar to those experienced in 2013, when badly affected WA canola crops with sclerotinia stem rot had yield losses of 0.5 to 1 tonnes per hectare.” Sclerotes, which are the survival form of sclerotinia, have been found in canola grain deliveries across Australia this harvest. These are typically about 5-10 millimetres in diameter and 20-30 mm in length. However, they can vary widely in shape size and colour and can be difficult to distinguish from annual ryegrass ergot (Claviceps purpurea) – although, their size and shape should make them distinguishable from canola seed. Obanor said if sown with 2017 crops, sclerotes have the potential to persist in soil for up to 10 years and each one could produce up to 15 mushroom-like apothecia that release millions of spores. GRDC recommends testing canola — and other crop seed — through an International Seed Testing Association (ISTA)-accredited laboratory before sowing to identify potential presence of sclerotes and fungal pathogens and help with risk management planning. This is essential if planning to sow canola crops in areas free from — or having low levels of — sclerotinia or other fungal diseases. GRDC General Manager Crop Protection Ken Young said any grain subjected to wetting at harvest was also at risk of poor germination, low vigour or degradation during storage, which would impact on its germination and performance in 2017. Young said GRDC-funded research through the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI) had also shown value in grading and cleaning retained seed to reduce weed seed contamination. STATUS UNITED STATES USDA released for pre-publication a proposed rule-making notice related to plant breeding innovation. The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) has been actively engaged in discussions with the agency throughout the rule-making process, and is pleased that the proposal recognizes plant breeders’ long track record of safety and quality. “The farm and food value chain is committed to innovating in a responsible and sustainable way,” said ASTA President and CEO Andy LaVigne. “We look forward to continuing these conversations with the Trump Administration to ensure sound policy that fosters continued innovation and promotes the movement of seed and other agricultural products around the world.” ASTA’s overarching policy is that plant varieties developed through the latest breeding methods should not be differentially regulated if they are similar to or indistinguishable from varieties that could have been produced through earlier breeding methods. “We’re pleased that USDA’s proposal recognizes that some applications of gene editing result in plant varieties that are essentially equivalent to varieties developed through more traditional breeding methods, and treats these varieties accordingly,” said LaVigne. “While we’re still reviewing the proposal in detail, this approach will help ensure that U.S. agriculture remains at the forefront of innovation and maintains its leadership role globally.” The FDA regulates all foods derived from plants in the U.S. and the USDA comprehensively regulates seeds. In tandem with USDA’s proposal, FDA has announced plans to solicit comments on new plant varieties developed through gene editing techniques. Consistent with its 1992 policy, FDA acknowledges in its Request for Information that some applications of gene editing result in plants that could be developed through more traditional breeding methods. ASTA encourages FDA to closely coordinate its activities with USDA to ensure a consistent, clear and science- based policy approach across the U.S. government. It’s also critical that both agencies actively engage with our trading partners around the world as the rulemaking process moves forward. “Continued innovation is paramount to the future of agriculture, and to our quality of life,” said LaVigne. “As an industry, we are committed to providing farmers with a wide variety of seed choices to address local challenges like changing weather, plant disease and pests, and the wise use of crop inputs and natural resources — to provide consumers with a wide variety of nutritious food choices that are safe and healthy for the families and for the environment. Thanks to the continued evolution of plant breeding, our industry is helping to meet these needs more efficiently and sustainably than ever before.” STATUS WEST AFRICA In the last year, a South American moth has caused great damage to maize and other crops in several West African