b'Cross-border CooperationTHE SEED INDUSTRYis currently facing a seriestechnologies in the seed industry, we need to navi-of significant challenges, with climate change beinggate the diversity of regulations and practices around one of the main elements defining the future of thethe Americas and around the world. This navigation sector. We are also being reshaped by globalization:requires:whereas each countrys seed sector used to work1. Science-based regulations: Regulators must mostly within its own borders, the shipping of seedenable technologies that allow farmers to pro-across international bordersespecially due to theduce seeds more efficiently, safely and sustainably. growing importance of contra-season productionisEliminating ideologies and politics is vital to operate now big business. As a sector, as seed associations andsafely and without unnecessary bureaucracy acting as DIEGO RISSOas individual companies, we need to interpret the manytrade barriers. Active collaboration of all kinds of stake-is the Executivechanges ahead as opportunities to innovate. holders with the regulatory sector is crucial to influence Director of both theMany of our international business partners rec- policies and ensure their relevance.Seed Associationognize that Latin America has undergone significant2. Understanding and knowing how to interpret of the Americasevolution and development in both policy and technol- regulations: Regulations define and shape the course (SAA) and theogy in the seed industry. This perspective offers us theof the industry. A key priority across the seed sector Uruguayan Plantopportunity to collaborate with North America andand especially for seed associations is disseminating Breeders AssociationEurope to incorporate their experiences and knowl- this information, as well as assisting in its interpretation.(URUPOV). edge into our regulations and practices, adapting them3. Active participation: Companies should partici-to our local realities for more balanced and sustainablepate in regulatory discussions through associations growth. and technical groups to advocate for the adequacy Today, agriculture in countries like Brazil, Chile,of these regulations. Cross-country collaboration with Uruguay and Argentina is highly technological. Thanksregulatory sectors is crucial to influence policies and to globalization, access to advanced technologiesensure their adequacy and relevance.has been made easier. As someone who works with4. Adapting to a dynamic Industry: The ongoing countries throughout the Americas, from Canada in thechallenge is the interaction between private parties North to Chile in the South, I experience and appreciateand regulators to update regulations, ensure that they the unique value that each countrys seed sector bringsdont become obsolete and allow for growth and inno-to the global seed industry. We should celebrate thevation in the sector.perspectives and value that each country brings. I want to underline the importance of cooperation Many South American countries have positionedwithin the seed industry. No one company can develop themselves strongly as developers of new technolo- all the necessary technologies and seed on its own; no gies. However, international cooperation to produceone countrys seed industry can fully function without and develop new technologies continuously is funda- connection to and collaboration with others. mental. This is particularly important from countriesThe future of the seed industry in Latin America providing contra-season services, such as Argentina,is full of challenges and opportunities but requires a Chile, Uruguay and Peru, which have become key part- thorough understanding of science-based regula-ners for Canada and the United States. Because of thetions and the active participation of its stakeholders. close contra-season partnerships, it is key to integrateCooperation between companies and investment in the private, public and regulatory systems of Northnew technologies will be essential for the industry America, Central and South America. to not only survive, but to thrive in an increasingly To streamline the production of new genetics anddemanding global environment.SW40/ SEEDWORLD.COMLATAM'