b'SEED SCIENCEISTA workshop on Seed Pathology in New Zealand in 2003down at social functions (remembering that6. What do you envision to be ISTAs value for8. Would you like to share any final thoughts or in earlier days, most of us met only once everythe future of seed testing and agriculture as aadditional comments?three yearsthere were no annual meetings).whole? One thing that has always struck me as strange is The ISTA Songbook made its first appearance atIn my view, ISTA is the future of seed testing.that while ISTA accredits laboratories, there is no the Brisbane Congress, and I remember singingIt is an international organisation whoseISTA system for recognising the skills of the seed O Sole Mio (in Italian) with ISTA Honorarymembers work cooperatively towards advancinganalysts whose expertise allows the accreditation President, the late Professor Attilio Lovato. Iknowledge in seed science and technology, andto be obtained/maintained. Seed analyst recall Don Scott starting an ECOM / Technicalin the improvement/development of uniformtraining is excellent in some countries, but other Committee (TCOM) meeting in the bus becauseseed testing methods. The current researchcountries have difficulty in providing training protesting French farmers had blocked the roadon harnessing machine learning / imagingopportunities. The introduction of webinars has with burning tyres. I remember Sandy Ednie,systems for seed testing will produce methodsbeen a step forward, but perhaps more could be ISTA President from Canada, turning up to thefor incorporation into everyday use, allowingdone?Edinburgh Congress dinner in a kilt to honourimprovements in efficiency within the testing his Scottish forebears. I have good memories ofsystem. ISTA, as it was when I first became involved, is the excellently organised and interesting post- almost unrecognisable in the ISTA of today. So Congress tours. But most of all, I remember theHowever, ISTA must continue with its presentmany things have changed over those years, but good friends I made from so many countries. initiatives to grow its presence in Africanthese changes have allowed the Association to countries (by continuing to work with the Africanachieve its essential position within the seed 5. What has been ISTAs biggest impact onSeed Trade Association), and to increase theworld. One hundred years down, onwards and global food security in your opinion? number of subtropical and tropical species in theupwards for the next century!Food security cannot be achieved withoutISTA Rules. The seed world continues to evolve. first having seed security, and this depends onBy advancing the availability of seed quality the availability of quality seed. ISTA, throughassurance internationally, ISTA will continue to its accredited member laboratories, providesbe a significant contributor to future agricultural an internationally agreed uniform systemproduction.for determining seed quality, which in turn facilitates the movement of seed lots globally.7. What would you advise the younger In the last four decades, the volumes and valuegeneration of seed scientists/analysts?of seed traded internationally has increasedTake any opportunities presented to you. exponentially, driven by the need to feed aBecome involved with Young@ISTA. Learn from growing global population in a world facingyour peers. Embrace new technologies. Seek increasing problems generated by climateto become members of ISTA TCOMs / Working change, among other issues. First the seed is anGroups and develop international seed networks. old but still highly relevant adage. You are the future.74 SEED TESTING INTERNATIONAL www.seedtest.org'