Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 7650 / SEEDWORLD.COM SEPTEMBER 2016 During the roundtable discussion Usha Zehr, who chairs the Breeders Committee, emphasized the importance of having consistent policies, noting that products which are developed and useful for their target countries may not be able to be exported to other potential markets. Consistency is critical to ensure that technology at the development stage remains available. Phytosanitary Committee The activities of the Phytosanitary Committee fall into three areas: representing the industry at the International Plant Protec- tion Convention (IPPC), supporting ISF’s members on regulatory issues and developing technical tools to facilitate the international movement of seed. Because seed might present a risk when they are introduced to environments where associated pests could establish and spread, many countries have implemented phytosanitary restrictions for the movement of seed. “ISF has been instrumental in the IPPC’s decision to develop a standard on the international movement of seed,” says Radha Ranganathan, ISF director of technical affairs. “The standard is intended to provide guidance to national plant protection organi- zations (NPPOs) on identifying, assessing and managing pest risk associated with the international movement of seed.” Standard setting is a slow process, but Ranganathan is hopeful that the standard on seed will be adopted by IPPC member coun- tries in a year or two. Phytosanitary measures imposed by countries must be techni- cally justified, and this is where ISF’s Regulated Pest List Initiative comes in. The objective of the initiative is to develop a database with a science-based summary of pertinent information to serve as a resource for the industry as well as regulatory bodies. “The answer to the question ‘Is seed a pathway?’ determines if the phytosanitary measure is technically justified,” Ranganathan says. Based on a review of the scientific literature as well as indus- try research, knowledge and experience, the database shows that around 75 percent of the pests regulated for eight seed species studied are not a pest risk. Seed is not a pathway for the introduc- tion or spread of these pests. The committee hopes the regulated pest lists will be a useful tool for countries to review their lists of quarantine pests for seeds. This coupled with the seed standard will facilitate the international movement of seed. Vegetable and Ornamental Section The Vegetable and Ornamental Section has four working groups focused on disease resistance, genetically modified vegetables, vegetable seed production and market access, explains Szabolcs Ruthner, ISF regulatory affairs executive. The section’s top priority is to secure free access to seeds in all countries. The second is to raise awareness about protecting germplasm and intellectual property rights. All four working groups dedicate their efforts to reaching the aforementioned goals, which align with ISF’s strategic objectives. The Disease Resistance Working Group has been developing a coding system for pathogens. In order to identify and distinguish different isolates, the group recommends the use of differential hosts. The Market Access Network was launched at the 2016 Con- gress in response to increasingly common market access issues. This new concept aims to deal with market access problems more efficiently by better coordinating existing efforts and resources. The Vegetable Seed Production Working Group’s priorities include intellectual property; child labor and labor conditions; phytosanitary issues at the seed production level; and pollinators. In partnership with the Asia Pacific Seed Association, Ruthner says the group is developing best management practices for veg- etable seed producers to maintain and avoid infringement of intel- lectual property. Field Crops Section At the congress, the Field Crops Section presented the report “Royalty Collection in Soybean Study” — the culmination of a two-year analysis of 12 countries and how they manage farm- saved seed, royalty collection and breeder’s remuneration. The study is designed to help other countries work with their regulators to make sure that breeders’ work is protected. Certified seed, or recognized voluntary payment of a royalty on saved seed, is the way to ensure plant breeders are remunerated and to enable them to continue their research and development to create better performing varieties. A panel discussion on value capture in soybean followed. This highlighted the study’s findings and the different levels of com- plexity that local situations may create. One new project that section members are working on is preparing a list of regulated pests for maize, which will extend the regulated pest list to field crops. Recognizing Excellence It’s recognized that all the progress that’s been made in these areas isn’t possible without the dedication and support of ISF members. One person who has devoted his life to advancing the seed industry is Tim Johnson, who was recognized with an ISF Honorary Life Membership. Through the years, Johnson of Illinois Foundation Seeds has demonstrated commitment, dedication and leadership within the international seed industry. “They say that it’s the people you will remember,” said Eyzaguirre, who presented the award. “One man I will certainly never forget is past president Tim Johnson. His dedication and Alvaro Eyzaguirre, International Seed Federation president (2014-16), recognizes Tim Johnson of IFSI with an Honorary Life Membership.