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 Green line - nov/dec 2006
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Training
The Federal University of Pelotas in agreement with the National Seed Program of Bolivia just finished its VII graduate course at specialization level on Seed Production and Technology. The first group graduated in 1992, with 134 participants, all from Bolivia and for the last one the 81 participants came from Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica. As can be seen, this agreement is one that is really successful.
Seed Science & Technology online
Access to the journal Seed Science & Technology is easier than ever before. Abstracts (free) and full papers are now available at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ista/sst. Subscriptions are available for print, CD and online, or combinations of these. This initiative really helps those that do work with seeds. The journal is one the best in its field.
Phytosanitary Issues
International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures are standards, guidelines and recommendations to achieve international harmonization of phytosanitary measures, with the aim to facilitate trade and avoid the use of unjustifiable measures as barriers to trade. It is the envisaged that implementation of these principles by the relevant phytosanitary authorities will result in the reduction or elimination of the use of unjustifiable phytosanitary measures as barriers to trade. Nevertheless, many phytosanitary regulations are barriers to trade. In this way, ISF is working to have guidelines and handling procedures to minimize this problem.
GM Soybean
The researcher from Embrapa, Amélio Dall' Agnol together with José Carlos Carramate, executive from Monsanto, in recent workshop in Brazil have estimated that the RR Soybean will increase its area in more than 30% in the country. This growth is not higher due to the lack of adapted materials for some tropical regions. This event has a high regard from farmers in Brazil
Technological Fee
Basf, rice growers and the government agreed upon to have a Technological Fee in relation to the Clear Field system for rice. Among several items the agreement establishes that for the 2006/07 crop year BASF will apply fee of 2% to the farmer that used the system but did not use certified seed. Farmers that use certified rice seed do not need to pay the fee. This initiative, as for other events protected by law, has the objective to get a return of the investment to create and develop superior materials.
Repercussion
The paper on Regional Plant Protection published on the last issue of SEED News, written by Jorge Rosales, had really a high impact on the seed business, being subject of discussion on international organizations that are affected by this matter. Subjects were well focused and written in a simple straight-forward way contributing to increase the use of high quality seeds from improved varieties.
Synonyms
The use of varietal synonyms in the international trade is a fact, for any reason, and OECD is concerned with it. In the last annual OECD Seed Schemes meeting as the working group did not elaborate a rule for accepting synonyms as requested by some members, it was decided to consider the matter again at the next meeting. Most of the OECD Seed Schemes decision are taken by consensus.
Certification
The Pró-Sementes Fundation is a good example of self initiative. After putting together a successful system in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, with more than 120.000 tons of certified seeds is now in agreement to also certify seeds in the State of Mato Grosso, with more than four millions hectares of soybeans. The approval was so strong that more than 90% of the seed producers are joining the program. For a State that uses more than 80% of commercial seed, this is of great importance.
Seed Labotory
The number of participating laboratories from the public and the private sector has increased continuously in ISTA. The International Proficiency Test Programme and the International Audit Programme of ISTA, can assure the trueness and reproducibility of test results on international level being an important precondition for a smooth international seed trade. Congratulations and best wishes to all ISTA accredited laboratories, in particular to the NCVESC Seed Testing Laboratory in Hanoi, Vietnam, which became the 100th accredited laboratory.
Workshops
Prior to the 28th ISTA congress to be held in Brazil, there will be five workshops in order to take advantage of the event. They will cover the following subjects: vigor, germination and tetrazolium, seed health, varietal identification, and laboratory challenges and statistics. For each one of the workshops highly qualified speakers were invited. Information www.abrates.org.br
Plant Protection
ISF members consider that proprietary parental lines of hybrids must not be used by third parties for the purpose of breeding, except when agreed upon by the owner. To protect themselves against the unauthorized use of proprietary parental lines, for the purposes of breeding, breeders may use any relevant legal mechanisms. This is different in relation to varieties that the plant breeder can use the material for his program.
Seed Business
Bayer CropScience estimates that the expanding business with commercial seeds will be one of the strongest growth drivers in the global agriculture market. The reason for the growth is the trend towards high-quality seed, in particular hybrid seed which is characterized by its high yield. The company's seed business and seed treatment products are already benefiting from the growth of the commercial seeds market. In the future, Bayer CropScience intends to foster strong growth by gaining access to new geographical markets and extending its seed business to include new crops, such as oilseeds, food and feed crops. In parallel to expanding the business with seeds, development of proprietary traits are also focused.
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