b"Parliament to perform such comprehen- These novel genomic techniques sive Impact AssessmentCommission,provide a way to overcome some of theseWATCH DISCUSSIONS ABOUT Member States and Parliament now havechallenges we will face, Gonzalez says.FARM TO FORK, NOVEL GENOMIC to discuss in earnest how to implement theIt would provide the market with new initiatives and targets as promised: in a wayvarieties that perform better and achieveTECHNIQUES AND MOREthat leaves no one behind, Euroseeds saidsustainability goals.in response to the vote by Parliament. EUs commitment to sustainabil- With so many policies changing, practices evolving As criticism for the strategy con- ityand Farm to Forkcould openand activists fighting agriculture at seemingly every tinues to come to light, many questiondoors for novel genomic techniques, why agricultural groups' views were notin fact, a recent study by the Europeanstop, it can be hard to keep up. If there was a way considered before publishing the recom- Commission pushes the issue. to access detailed, valuable information about mendation. From seed companies to rowNovel genomic techniques can con- topics that matter to you and other seed industry crop farmers to vegetable and livestocktribute to a more sustainable food systemprofessionals, would you latch on?producers, there isnt a single facet ofand therefore, current GMO legislation agriculture that wont be impacted byadopted in 2001 is not a fit for these tech- Seed World Group recently launched a weekly Farm to Fork. nologies, according to a press releasevideo series called Seed Speaks. Each week, hosts from the Commission. bring together experts to disseminate top-of-mind Opportunities for Innovators Independent stakeholders echo theissues in the ag industry. The most recent season With increased organic acres, decreasedfindings. highlights Science Under Firetechnology under pesticides and less land, companies willEuropean agriculture will need theseattack from activists and misunderstanding.fight an uphill battle to maintainincreasenew technologies to develop plants production. It could provide opportunitybetter suited to environmental Its available on Seed Worlds Facebook Live,for differentiation and innovation. challenges, i.e., more resistant to dis- Seed World Groups YouTube Channel and will be Increasing organic land is a trend wereeases and harmful insects, allowingposted on-demand at Seed World, Germination, already seeing, says Cesar Gonzalez,the decreased use of chemicals and Alberta Seed Guide European Seeds websites Euroseeds manager of public affairs.resilience to climate change, accord-and Right now, were around 8.5% organicing to the French Association of Planteach week.production in Europe, including perma- Biotechnologies. Tune in or catch up to learn more about what nent crops and pastures. We have nothingAll benefits align with goals describedscientific practices are under threat. Stay tuned after against organic if its a demand-drivenin Farm to Forkpending novel genomic increase. Companies are willing to engagetechniques get the green light. Jan. 1 for Innovations that Move the Needle.and provide seed for that growing market. Watch the episode that dives into Farm to Fork here:The knowledge gap in Farm to ForkNext Stepsis showcased in the move to organic onWhile Parliament did vote to accept Farm 25% of total agricultural land. Consumersto Fork, it wasnt without caveat. The law-desire more organic producefruits,makers recognized to achieve the goals nuts and vegetables. However, 25% totaloutlined in the strategy, more research organic production cannot be achievedneeds to be completed.through produce alone. The amendment to the strategy states:The question remains, what are theserecent studies, conclude that the other production practices that will moveimplementation of the Strategys tar-to organic? Gonzalez continues. And willgets would have substantial impacts on there be policies that incentivize farm- agricultural production in the EU; whereas ers to move to organic while remainingthese studies underline the need for economically viable? robust, scientific ex-ante impact assess-Not only is the switch from conven- ments, covering sustainability from the tional production to organic costly, buteconomic, social and environmental farmers could also lose money in yieldsperspectives and the need to take into with organic and the overall call to reduceaccount cumulative effects, possible pesticides by 50%. One positive fromtrade-offs, the availability of the means to Farm to Fork is recognizing the value ofachieve the targets and different farm-plant breeding, including novel genomicing models across the Member States as techniques, and the importance of ensur- part of any legislative proposals under the ing seed security and diversity in theFarm to Fork Strategy.report as a precondition to achieve theThe call for more research is wel-strategys objectives. comed by industry.SW104/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2021"