b'INDUSTRY NEWSCOUNTRIES AND THEIR VARIOUS SEED ORGANIZATIONS ARE TRYING TO KEEP THINGS STATUS QUO AS COVID-19 SPANS THE GLOBE.STATUS CANADA We have been closely monitoring the situation on COVID-19 and have kept you informed on where we are, in the updates Who would have predicted that in early 2020 wed be united inwe sent on March 5 and March 13. Further discussions took our efforts managing the impacts of a historical, global event,place with our National Organizing Committee, Core PCO, and the COVID-19 pandemic?It is having an incredible impact onpartners, to determine the best option for you and the global our personal lives, work lives, and on our communities, CSIseed community.executive director Roy Van Wyk said in a statement. As theIn light of recent developments on the rapid spread of COVID-spread of COVID-19 grows, so does the risk of exposure, for the19 in many countries, we have made the decision to postpone the CSI auditors and for you, our clients. In consideration of theISF World Seed Congress 2020 in Cape Town, therefore no ISF growing risks, CSI has decided to suspend all audit and inspec- World Seed Congress will take place this year. The next ISF World tion activities for the next month, until April 20. Seed Congress will be held in 2021 in Barcelona, Spain.On March 23, the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) sentAmid this unprecedented situation, the commitment of all their staff home until April 5, he noted. CGC staff responsibleISF and the seed world to Africa in providing quality seed and for the delivery of CGCs identity preservation and food safetyincreasing our engagement in the continent remains the same.program shared the announcement with the auditors and pro- Therefore, after agreement with partners, service providers gram clients noting that the CGC will grant extensions to alland the National Organising Committee we have decided to go clients impacted by this decision. back to Cape Town for the ISF World Seed Congress 2022 (16-18 CSI is following suit, Van Wyk said. May 2022) where we will celebrate our shared roots to achieve Yesterday we asked CSI auditors to postpone all auditsgreater heights, giving true meaning to the slogan. To make this scheduled to take place in the next month. We will continue tohappen, our colleagues from Mexico agreed to be host of the ISF monitor the news for any changes in the status of the COVID-19World Seed Congress 2025, instead of 2022.pandemic in Canada. If the spread of the virus continues to grow in our communities, or if the duration of the outbreak is longer than expected, then we will consider further actions. STATUS U.S.ASTA Says U.S. Seed Companies Remain Committed to Meeting STATUS SOUTH AFRICA Farmer, Consumer DemandThe following is a statement from American Seed Trade As developments move forward with the coronavirus, theAssociation (ASTA) President & CEO Andrew LaVigne: International Seed Federation (ISF) sent out a letter this morn- The U.S. seed industry stands with the entire agriculture ing to announce that the ISF World Seed Congress in Capetown,and food value chain in its commitment to ensuring Americas South Africa, is postponed until 2022. They write: families have ongoing access to a healthy, safe and affordable During these unpredictable times, one thing is certain:food supply as we continue to deal with the impacts of COVID-19. the health and well-being of our members, delegates, sponsors,The seed industry plays a foundational role in the produc-exhibitors, partners and staff has beenand will always beourtion of the food, feed, forage, clothing, fuel and other agricultural top priority. ISF fully supports all public measures to protect theproducts that sustain a sound and balanced economy. As we health and welfare of the population and to prevent the furtherhead into the spring planting season in the midst of a global pan-spread of the novel coronavirus. It is our responsibility to informdemic, Americas seed companies are working hard to make sure you in a timely and proactive manner of decisions made by ISFfarmers, ranchers and homeowners have access to the quality for the World Seed Congress. seed they need to ensure a successful year. 42IEUROPEAN SEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM'