70 / SEEDWORLD.COM JUNE 2019 countries would also recognize the pest risk management activities that the seed industry is doing at all stages of seed production, from pre-planting all the way through post-harvest.” In April, the IPPC made a decision to develop an annex to ISPM 38 that would provide further guidance on implement- ing a systems approach for seed. “The development of the annex will require a significant amount of time and energy, but it is positive that numerous countries and the seed industry see the systems approach as an opportunity to more efficiently move seed while still effectively managing the associated pest risk,” Keene says. The Regulated Pest Lists As if phytosanitary regulations and cer- tificates weren’t already difficult enough, another challenge ISF is working on this year surrounds the Regulated Pest Lists. “If you’re in the seed business, it’s very likely that you have often had to deal with phytosanitary certificates before you can move seeds from one country to another,” says Frank Claessens, vice president of Operations Vegetable Seeds at BASF and chair of the Subcommittee on Vegetable Seed Health of ISF. “Sometimes the pro- cedure to obtain them is relatively easy, and other times, it leaves you confused because country requirements that have to be met for the same seed species can be contradictory. Furthermore, when countries suddenly change their require- ments for seeds to be imported customer orders can be missed.” Contradictory country require- ments and the difficulty with getting Phytosanitary Certificates in time are where the Regulated Pest List Initiative takes its roots. “ISF brought these difficulties to the attention of the IPPC as early as the mid-1990s, but in 2007 the seed industry decided there was a need to assess the risk of seed introducing and spreading disease,” he says. “When is seed a pest risk? The objective of the Regulated Pest List Initiative is to develop a database with a science-based summary of pertinent information to serve as a resource for the industry and regulatory bodies.” The answer to the question “Is seed a pathway for the entry and spread of disease?” is the focus of the Regulated Pest List Initiative. This answer for each pest in the species specific regulated pest list determines if the request for a Phyto Additional Declaration is technically justified. The assessment is based on a review of scientific literature and industry research, knowledge and experience. Claessens notes that 75-80% of regu- lated pests are not technically justified, as there is scientific evidence that the seed isn’t a pathway for the pathogen. “The database on the ISF website covers 12 vegetable seed species that are estimated to account for 90% of the value of seed that is traded internationally,” he says. “We want to expand the database to include more crops.” Seeds are moved internationally for research, breeding, seed multiplication and commercial purposes. Claessens says seed companies pay a lot of attention to make sure their seeds are healthy. “The supply of healthy seeds is essential to help assure growers of a healthy crop,” he says. “The seed industry uses preventive hygiene measures during every phase of seed production, from pre-planting, pre- harvesting to harvesting and post-harvest handling. The final decision on a seed ship- ment is often based on a laboratory test.” Claessens says if you think about the volume of seed that is shipped every year and how few cases of disease outbreaks are attributed to infected seed measures, it shows how dedicated the seed industry is in ensuring seed health. ISF needs now to partner with NPPOs and build mutual trust and confidence in each other, he adds. “With mutual trust, we can manage phytosanitary risks better. How? If the seed-not-a-pathway and crop-not-a-host pests are not regulated, we could spend our time and resources better on real pest risks.” Seed Applied Technology To promote the harmonization of regula- tions impacting the international move- ment of treated seed, ISF adopted a Seed Species Regulated pests (no.) References cited (no.) Is seed a pathway? (no.) Yes Pathway not proven No Not a host Bean 97 413 23 14 41 19 Brassica 118 380 11 12 52 43 Carrot 92 259 4 7 43 38 Cucumber 90 205 4 8 50 28 Lettuce 64 156 3 10 36 15 Melon 69 178 6 14 33 16 Onion 94 183 7 12 43 32 Pepper 107 256 9 19 45 34 Spinach 38 105 8 3 13 13 Squash & Pumpkin 54 208 5 8 29 12 Tomato 178 579 14 35 89 40 Watermelon 58 212 4 7 31 16 Average % 9 14 48 49 Klaus Schlünder.