b'Harmonized Systems Feed a Hungry PlanetTHE INTERNATIONALseed trade is important onfoundation for building reliable, high-quality seed sys-many levels. Having clear and workable rules to guidetems. Their goal is to give farmers access to seed that that movement is essential to the success of seedperforms well and supports national food security.producers, companies, trading partners and growers. Governments around the world set regulations thatModernizing Trustaffect the ability to move seed across borders. TheseIn countries that have participated in the Schemes rules are often seen as trade barriers, and sometimesfor many years and have long-established seed they are, but they also play an important role in howcertification systems, there are two main approaches. the modern seed industry supports local, national andSome require seed of most agricultural species to BY STEPHEN MALONE,global agriculture. The impact of international seedbe certified before it can be sold, including imported U.S. OECD Seedtrade reaches far beyond the price of seed and extendsseed and specifically certified under the OECD Seed Schemes Programto global food security and economic development. Schemes.In countries where certification is more Manager, USDAvoluntary, it is a value addition because of the third-AgriculturalSeed as a Bridge, Not a Barrier party verification.Marketing Service Seed moves from country to country not only for theSeed certification follows established protocols opportunity for direct sales to end-users or company- that verify the seed source from breeder to planting to-company sales. It also moves within companies orstock, include field inspections to confirm varietal trading partners for evaluation in multiple environ- purity and identity and secure finished lots to prevent ments and to speed up the time to market via counter- tampering and counterfeiting. To better serve the seed season production. Coordinated and harmonizedindustry and end users, certification authorities should regulations help get seed where it needs to be when ituse new tools such as imaging, genetic testing and Coordinatedneeds to be there. anti-counterfeiting technologies to improve accuracy andand integrity throughout the process. Some national Harmonization in Action authorities remain hesitant to work with, rather than harmonizedThe Organization for Economic Cooperation andsimply regulate, the seed sector in their own countries regulationsDevelopment (OECD) Schemes for the Varietaland with trading partners. We continue to push for Certification of Seed, commonly known as the OECDmodernization and greater cooperation with the help getSeed Schemes, is an international agreement estab- private sector.seed where itlished in 1958 and managed by the OECD since 1961.For the past decade, I have had the honor of The Schemes aim to harmonize common standardsrepresenting the U.S. seed industry in OECD Seed needs to befor varietal certification of seed lots. Navigating theSchemes. It can be challenging to navigate policy and different approaches to seed certification around theapproach differences among countries to ensure the when it needsworld can still be challenging. rules and standards work within our system and allow to be there.There are 64 participating countries with severalour companies and certifying agencies to effectively more preparing to join. Most new members in the pastimplement them. 10 to 15 years have been developing nations, mainly inOur goal is to help U.S. seed companies gain and Africa, and that growth is expected to continue withmaintain access to existing and emerging markets new interest in the Asia-Pacific region. These coun- and production areas. I am grateful to everyone from tries see the OECD Seed Schemes along with strongour seed companies and certification agencies who variety registration systems, UPOV-aligned intellectualprovide input on potential scheme changes. It is truly a property procedures, and ISTA-based testing as theteam effort.SW80/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2025'