b'A look at seed industry developments around the globe.New Plant BreedersSTATUS A new drought-tolerantcertain state and territory Rights Act in South Africa,SOUTH AFRICA durum wheat variety, Jawahirrestrictions related to market-The Department of(jewel in Arabic), devel- ing or biosecurity. If approved, drought-tolerant durumAgriculture has announcedoped by Moroccos Nationalthe tomatoes and their wheat variety in Morocco,that the new Plant BreedersInstitute for Agriculturalproducts would enter general Rights Act, 2018 (Act No. 12 ofResearch (INRA) with supportcommerce, including use in and Australia reviews GM2018), along with its regula- from ICARDA and the Crophuman food.purple tomato license. tions, took effect June 1, 2025.Trusts BOLD Project, is prov- Commercial release will This follows President Cyriling resilient in farmers fields.only proceed once all regula-Ramaphosas proclamationReleased in 2023, Jawahirtory approvals are secured, and approval by Agricultureincorporates genes from aincluding those from the Gene Minister John Steenhuisen. wild wheat ancestor, allowingTechnology Regulator, Food Replacing the 1976 Act, theit to thrive despite harsh cli- Standards Australia New new legislation broadens pro- mates. Field tests show yieldsZealand (FSANZ), and the tection to all plant genera andof over 1.5 tons per hectareDepartment of Agriculture, species, streamlines adminis-significantly outperformingFisheries and Forestry (DAFF).trative processes, and extendsolder varieties during drought. The OGTR is currently pre-protection periods up to 30Efforts are underwayparing the Risk Assessment years for certain crops liketo rapidly multiply certifiedand Risk Management Plan fruit trees and potatoes. It alsoseeds, aiming for commercial- for this application, which is defines categories for farm- scale availability by 2027 expected to be published saved seed and establishes anfour years earlier than usualfor public consultation and advisory committee repre-thanks to governmentexpert review in September senting breeders, farmers, andsupport and partnerships with2025. The consultation period IP specialists. public and private seed pro- will allow at least 30 days for The Act aims to promoteducers. This accelerated seedpublic submissions.innovation in plant breeding,production is critical for wide enhance food security, boostadoption among farmers.agricultural productivity,Jawahir exemplifies howSTATUS CANADAsupport rural development,leveraging crop diversity andCanadian farmers are leading encourage investment, createbreeding innovations cana new $4.3 million initiative jobs, and foster economicprovide concrete solutions toaimed at enhancing the com-growth in South Africa. Theclimate challenges, securingpetitiveness of Canadas agri-full Act and regulations arefood production for vulner- culture and food sector both available on the Departmentable regions like Morocco. domestically and internation-of Agricultures website. ally. Spearheaded by NRGene Canada, Pulse Genetics, STATUS AUSTRALIA Hensall Co-op, and Yumasoy STATUS MOROCCO Australias Office of the GeneFoods Ltd., with backing from Moroccos 2024-2025 farm- Technology Regulator (OGTR)Protein Industries Canada, the ing season is marked byhas received license applica- project focuses on strength-severe drought, threateningtion DIR 218 from All Aussieening Canadas identity-cereal productionespe- Avocados Pty Ltd (operat- preserved (IP) non-GMO cially durum wheat, a stapleing as All Aussie Farmers) forsoybean market and driving crop crucial for food securitythe commercial cultivationinnovation in plant-based and widely consumed acrossof genetically modified (GM)food production. This invest-North Africa. Traditionaltomatoes with purple fruit. ment will open new oppor-varieties struggle under theThe GM Purple Tomatotunities for farmers, support increasingly dry conditionsis proposed to be grownlocal processing, and expand caused by record droughts incommercially in greenhousesaccess to premium global the past decade. across Australia, subject tomarkets. SW44/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2025'