T he national seed associations are often the pivotal point for initiating and maintaining the communica- tion from the seed sector to the political decision makers in a country. European Seed asked four different African seed associations what kind of interactions their member seed companies have with Europe. And also which opportunities and challenges that exist between their and the neighbouring continent. TUNISIA Riadh Gabsi, President of the Tunisian Seed Association and momentarily also President of the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) indicates that 90 per cent of the seed business in Tunisia is done with Europe, and concerns OP seeds, vegetable hybrids, potatoes and various kind of plants. “The relationship is very developed, the geographical position of Tunisia and the historical links with Europe are at the origin of this,” he says. With regards to opportunities he sees for their member seed companies in their trade with Europe, he shares that trade with Europe is continuously growing and their member seed com- panies are following closely the innova- tion in the seed industry in Europe. “As already said, the vegetable seed business is increasing and also the exchange in all kind of plants. In our association, we are currently working hard with the authori- ties to obtain a better contribution of the private sector in the production of certi- fied cereal seeds and in this sector, the partnership is exclusively with European companies” he adds. But there are also some challenges that are preventing the member compa- nies to do more seed trade with Europe. “The registration in the National Seed Catalogue is a challenge as it takes two years for vegetable seeds and can reach four to five years for cereals seeds and plants. We are working to reduce this period and convince the local authorities to accept the equivalence with varieties registered on the European catalogue, to be able to follow up the innovation in seeds and plants research,” he adds. At the same time, the ISTA accredi- tation of the National Seed Laboratory is also a challenge for them. “We are trying to push from our side (in cooperation especially with GNIS in France) to make it happen as soon as possible. Apart of this, we need Europe to contribute to the upgrade of all our laboratories (agrochem- icals, quarantine…) and other agricultural official institutions in order to obtain the mutual recognition,” he continues. “We need to expand the OECD cer- tification rules (today only for cereals in Tunisia) to legumes and fodder giving more opportunities for sending these kinds of seeds to European customers,” Gabsi shares. There are still several elements that need to be improved in order for Africa’s seed sector to grow faster. “We need to update the seed business laws in Africa to make investment in the seed indus- try possible. Harmonization of the seed laws at a sub-regional level is a must and Europe needs to help organize the har- monization at the North Africa area,” according to Gabsi. In October 2012, the association organized a symposium on the opportu- nities of investment in the seed sector in Tunisia. “We covered most part of the seed industry needs, and several recom- mendations were proposed to the authori- ties. Unfortunately (may be because of the political situation at that time), these rec- ommendations have not been followed by decisions. We may now need to make again another tentative and may be ESA could be our partner in organizing a similar event in the coming months,” he proposes. SOUTH AFRICA Dr Lukeshni Chetty, General Manager of the South African National Seed Organization (SANSOR) shares that SANSOR has a dual role: it is both the National Designated Authority for seed certification in South Africa and the seed trade association. “We have over 120 members, of which 64% are full seed companies.” In terms of interactions that the SANSOR member companies have with Europe, she adds that several of the member companies are European owned across the various crop types, i.e. field crops pastures and vegetables. “Those that are South African owned play a GOOD NEIGHBOURS CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SEED TRADE BETWEEN AFRICA AND EUROPE. BY: MARCEL BRUINS 16 I EUROPEAN SEED I EUROPEAN-SEED.COM