32 I EUROPEAN SEED I EUROPEAN-SEED.COM F rom 7-9 October, the European Seed Association (ESA) held its 2018 Annual Meeting in Madrid, Spain. This year’s event has set a new record, with an attendance of 1050 participants from over 40 countries across the world, the impor- tance of the ESA Congress for the European and international seed sector was once more confirmed. During the meetings of the specific crop sections, partici- pants got the latest updates and detailed information on many horizontal and crop-specific issues important for seed compa- nies in Europe and worldwide such as the Common Agricultural Policy, the EU seed fraud network, new EU plant health rules, research and innovation, and intellectual property. A presenta- tion was also given on the increasing concentration in seed mar- kets by Koen Deconinck, from OECD. K. Deconinck @OECDagriculture provides a sneak preview of their study about concentration in seed markets at #Euroseeds2018 A lot of figures out in the public debate are misleading, he says. pic.twitter.com/ngJk4kfIgr — ESA (@ESA_euroseeds) October 9, 2018 Participants also had the chance to assist to very inspiring and insightful debates on the future of plant breeding innovation in Europe, Brexit, biodiversity (digital sequence information on genetic resources), the European Protein Plan and the future of variety testing. In particular, during the panel discussion on plant breed- ing innovation after the ECJ ruling, some interesting conclu- sions emerged on the way forward for the European seed sector. The Commission encouraged the sector to craft a (legislative) solution so that plant breeding innovation can be continued in Europe in a way that the general audience would accept and like. The seed sector showed its commitment to find a solution, aligning with other groups and working with the Commission. How does the #seed sector feel about the ECJ ruling? Question from @ArunasVinciunas @Food_EU: can you craft a solution so that you create innovation here in Europe in a way that the general audience would accept and like? #Plantbreeding innovation debate at #Euroseeds2018 pic. twitter.com/vI29z3YEeG — ESA (@ESA_euroseeds) October 9, 2018 Will #Plantbreeding innovation rest in peace? Panelists at #Euroseeds2018 believe not, but the patient is in the emergency room. Great analogy! Btw => The seed #sector is committed to find a solution, aligning with other groups and working with EU Commission. pic.twitter.com/ NL4IpkQ7Oo — Valentina G. (@ValentinaGaroia) October 9, 2018 The annual meeting was an opportunity for professional exchange and interaction of participants, and exposure for com- panies showcasing the latest developments in technical equip- ment, mechanical components, processing technologies and plant breeding software. EMBRACING INNOVATION IN RUBBER BOOTS ESA wanted to use this year’s Annual Meeting to engage with the ESA membership and even a wider audience on our digital commu- nication campaign “Embracing the Power of Nature”. All the par- ticipants were encouraged to visit the #EmbracingNature corner, Breaking records year after year ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL ANNUAL MEETING OF THE EUROPEAN SEED ASSOCIATION BY: ESA SECRETARIAT / MARCEL BRUINS