b'Penny Maplestone Has the Perfect Job, Sees Brexit as a Dark Nebulous CloudWhen it comes to the UK leaving the EU, the real issue is the complete uncertainty: Are we leaving? When are we leaving? On what terms are we leaving?Marc Zienkiewicz mzienkiewicz@issuesink.comSEED WORLDsat down with Penny Maplestone, chiefthe best in the world and has helped to put the UK close to the executive of the British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB),top of the list globally as one of the best countries to do plant to discuss that dreaded B-word, and how plant breeders canbreeding business. prepare for Britains seemingly inevitable exit from the EuropeanOf course, we dont want to stand still. All the time we are think-Union (EU). ing strategically and looking to the future. The industry is evolving, and we want to make sure that we are offering our members top Seed World (SW): How did you get into plant breedingquality services that will support them for years to come.and what gets you up in the morning?Penny Maplestone (PM): I have always been in love with plants,SW: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A BIG ISSUE THAT IS right back from when I was a small child out on walks in theON EVERYONES MIND: BREXIT. AS A BRITISH PLANT countryside with my parents, wanting to find out the names of allBREEDER, HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL TO HEAR the wonderful wildflowers we saw. There was never any ques- THAT WORD AND WHY?tion I would study anything but botany once I had found out howPM: For me, Brexit it like a black nebulous cloud rolling in from the critical plants are for everything in life; how they feed us, give ushorizon towards me. Every so often it recedes a little, but inexora-feed for our animals, clothe and shelter us, and even produce thebly it is coming and at some point, it is going to hit me as a reality. oxygen in the air that we breathe. On a personal level, I feel sad about Brexit, I feel sad that the UK I learned about plant breeding and plant breeders, how planthas chosen to leave the European Union. I voted to remain and breeders take plants which are already incredibleand makewhen Im working in ISF and European Seed Association (ESA) them even better, how they improve yield, pest and diseasewith my colleagues from other EU countries, it makes me genu-resistance, and quality, making crops better adapted to ourinely sad that, although we will still work together, it will never be human needs. I did my first degree just at the time that plantquite the same.molecular biology was born, and the first transgenic plants wereOn a professional level, it makes me frustrated and angry, not made. That was a real wow moment for me, and the possibili- so much that we are leaving the EU, as that is what the major-ties seemed endless.ity of the UK people voted for, but that our UK politicians have I spent a little time doing research but turned out not to bespent the past three years playing party politics and looking for very good at it. I didnt think it would benefit either me or scienceindividual and personal gain, rather than getting on and working if I stayed with it, so I needed to look for something that wastogether in the national interest to achieve an orderly exit that going to keep me close to plants but use my other skills. A job atwill be good for the country and good for business. BSPB was advertised. I thought I could do that and I must have been right as I have now been there more than 20 years.ES: Are your members prepared for Brexit and whats your biggest concern and your biggest worry about SW: What does the BSPB look like today? Can you givethat?us a snapshot of that? PM: Our members, are I hope are as prepared as they can be. PM: The BSPB looks good today. We are in our 54th year, weWe have certainly worked flat out in BSPB on this from the day have 72 members, which is more than we have ever had before,of the referendum result. We were on the phone to the Ministry and thats at a time when the industry is consolidating, so I amof Agriculture very quickly to say You do know about plant quite proud of that. Our services to members are excellent. Anbreeding and how crucial it is to UK food and farming? You do International Seed Federation (ISF) study showed that our com- know what an integrated European industry this is? You do know bined royalty and farm-saved seed collection system is one ofabout the industrys reliance on European plant variety rights 42/ SEEDWORLD.COMJANUARY 2020'