b'Defining the FutureHow ISF is responding to the changing business environment.Shel ZolkewichAS THE VOICEof the global seedtion to address the many challenges the industry since 1924, the Internationalworld is facing today, the importance of Seed Federation (ISF) has embarked onefficient and harmonized international an ambitious project for the second timeseed movement to provide access and to define its key strategic objectives. Withseed choice for farmers and the role of the last round of objectives coming to aintellectual property rights to sustain the close this year, a new set is being devel- delivery of innovation. oped thanks to the tireless work of globalOver 200 seed professionals are active members. In this year of transition, ISFon ISF committees, sections and work-is reviewing its objectives from 2016 toing groups, sometimes finding common 2020 and previewing the key issues forground a difficult assignment. But Keller 2021 to 2025. says a lot of progress was made during For an international associationthe last few years on several topics.like ISF that brings together the hugeAlthough in multilateral bodies like the diversity of the global seed sector,International Plant Protection Convention with over 8,000 members involved in(IPPC) where there is a vast and diverse breeding, production, trading or in allrepresentation of parties, consensus is not three operations at the same time, it isalways an easy task, he adds.vital to have a joint vision on what we areKeller is exceedingly happy with the working towards, what are our ultimatetremendous progress made on plantMarco van Leeuwen serves as second vice goals, says Michael Keller, secretarybreeding innovation during the recentpresident of ISF and managing director of general of ISF. years, where ISF and its membersRijk Zwaan.Keller says working to clearly defineengaged at all levels and participated in their vision of making quality seed acces- discussions for a consistent and alignedpartnered with ISF to contribute to the sible to all and to support food securityapproach on science and risk-based regu- IPPC in the development of a seed spe-and sustainable agriculture was an impor- lations for the latest breeding methodscific international standard. tant stepping stone.between the countries.Seed is moving more and more It helped us to express, concretely,It was very good to see that aroundaround the world and each time a our mission, which is to create the bestthe world the discussions progressed inseed lot passes a border, a certificate is environment for the global movementthis direction, he says. Consistency isneeded; therefore, harmonization is criti-of seed and promote plant breeding andessential for our members and we willcal for our sector, Keller says. While its innovation, he says. This is the founda- continue our efforts to secure our capac- important to take a moment to celebrate tion and the raison dtre of our actions. ity for innovation.this achievement, we also recognize the The pillars of the key strategic objec- Another win was the adoption of theneed to focus on more effective imple-tives, according to Keller, are the use ofInternational Standards on Phytosanitarymentation that will be key to experienc-and access to genetic resources, contin- Measures (ISPM 38) by the IPPC whereing the practical benefits and improved ued capacity for plant breeding innova- individuals from across the seed industryinternational movement of seed.6/ SEEDWORLD.COMINTERNATIONAL EDITION 2020'