b'PRODUCTION The Critical Need for Harmonized Regulations Adjust Mid-Season Like College Football TeamsJIM SCHWEIGERT President, Gro Alliancejim.schweigert@groalliance.comgroalliance.com@GroAlliance in the Global Movement of Treated SeedIN TODAYS INTERCONNECTEDworld, the freein regulations surrounding STPs. Different countries and efficient movement of treated seed across interna- have different rules regarding the application of these tional borders is a critical component of ensuring thatproducts, their labeling, and the conditions under farmers everywhere have access to the best possiblewhich treated seeds can be moved across borders. agricultural products. As the Phytosanitary AffairsThis patchwork of regulations can create significant Manager at the International Seed Federation (ISF),barriers to trade, delaying or even preventing the Ive witnessed firsthand the challenges that arise whenexport of treated seeds.regulatory frameworks fail to keep pace with the reali- For example, some countries require that STPs ties of modern seed production and trade. used on seeds within their borders be registered Treated seedsthose that have been coated withand approved for use domestically, even if the seeds BY ROSE SOUZASeed Treatment Products (STPs) to protect them fromare destined for export to another country. This can RICHARDS,pests, diseases, and environmental stressesare a vitalcomplicate the treatment process, as seed processing Phytosanitarytool in reducing the environmental impact of agriculturefacilities may need to tailor their applications to meet Affairs Manager,while ensuring the full potential of the seed is realized.the specific requirements of each destination market. International SeedYet, the international movement of these treated seedsThis not only increases costs but also introduces delays Federation (ISF) is often hampered by inconsistent regulations, varyingthat can be critical during planting seasons.country-specific requirements, and a lack of harmoniza- Moreover, the lack of standardized labeling require-tion in the treatment, labeling, and approval processes. ments adds another layer of complexity. Each coun-This lack of regulatory consistency disrupts thetry has its own set of rules about what information supply chain and risks limiting farmers access to themust be included on the labels of treated seeds. This high-quality seeds they need to achieve successfulcan lead to confusion and errors, particularly when harvests. We face critical challenges, but we have someseeds are re-exported multiple times. A harmonized steps to address them, ensuring farmers can continueapproach to labeling, including the use of multilin-to benefit from the best agricultural innovations. gual labels, could significantly ease the movement of treated seeds across borders.A Complex WebThe seed industry is inherently global. Seed breed- Harmonization and Mutual Recognitioning, production and processing often span multipleTo address these challenges, ISF advocates for greater countries, each chosen for specific climate conditions,harmonization of regulations governing the move-expertise or logistical advantages. For instance, ament and treatment of seeds. Specifically, we propose: seed may be bred in one country, produced in anotherharmonized STP regulations, centralized processing and then sent to a third for processing and treatmentwith export-specific registration andstandardized and before being re-exported to multiple markets. Thismultilingual labelingintricate web of global movement is essential for meet-ing the diverse needs of farmers. Ensuring Global Access to Quality SeedHowever, the complexity of this system is oftenThe global seed industry plays a vital role in feeding misunderstood by stakeholders, including regulators.the world, and the free movement of treated seeds is The lack of awareness surrounding the nuances ofessential to this mission. By working together to har-seed production and trade can lead to regulations thatmonize regulations and streamline processes, we can unintentionally hinder the international movement ofensure that farmers everywhere have access to the treated seeds. This is particularly problematic for STPs. best possible seeds, helping them to produce the food we all depend on.Challenges in the International Movement ofEditors Note: This piece was shortened for print. Treated Seed Read entire column at https://bit.ly/seedworldISF.SWOne of the primary challenges we face is the variability OCTOBER 2024SEEDWORLD.COM /29'