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 Green line - july/aug 2007
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Visit
Dr. Michael Turner, from the UK, attended the joint Congresses of ISTA and ABRATES and after its closing; visited some Brazilian seed companies and the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel). At the University, Dr. Turner presented a series of lectures on different seed programs and worked on the definition of various joint activities with UFPel for the oncoming years.
Acknowledgement II
During its 28th Congress, ISTA honored Dr. Bernard Le Buanec for his valuable contributions to the Association. Dr. Le Buanec has been very active linking the different sectors of the seed business, science, technology and trade, so that good quality seeds from improved cultivars can effectively reach the end users. He has been a very effective bridge between ISTA and ISF.
Honorary President I
Dr. Norbert Leist, renown scientist on the field of seed testing, was given the title of honorary president of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), during the XV Brazilian Seed Congress. This is the second title awarded by ISTA and SEED News wishes to extend its congratulations to Dr. Leist for such an accomplishment.
Exports
Chile has been acknowledged as a country with ecosystems that are especially good for seed production, mainly vegetables. Specific microclimate regions, together with a strong seed sector known by its professional level and a good balance between the public and private sectors, have made it possible for this country to increase its seed exports from, 70 million in 1996 to 195 million in 2006.
Success
The expectation on the joint congresses of ISTA and CBS was huge since participants from 59 countries had already made reservations for the event. ABRATES (Brazilian Association for Seed Technology), fully aware of this feeling and with the experience of three decades in the organization of seed congresses, stood up to the occasion, satisfying all expectations.
Mozambique
The seed program of this country is being designed and equipped to better cope with the increasing seed demand. Dr. Carlos Domingues has told SEED News that the first components of a large acquisition package are already in this country. They will surely contribute to the improvement in seed lot quality.
ABRASEM
The Brazilian Seed Association has reelected Ywao Miyamoto as the Association's president. Abrasem has over 2000 members representative of the different sectors involving the seed business: growers, traders, breeders and researchers. The agenda for the 2007/10 period will focus on the combat of seed piracy and on campaigns to increase the perception on the benefits of technological innovations.
ISTA Members at Large
ISTA has just elected its members at large for the period 2007/10 being Jorge Rosales King (Bolívia), Grete Tarp (Denmark), Alison Powell (UK), Joel Lechappe (France), Rita Zecchinelli (Italy), Mary Chipili (Zambia), Masatohi Sato (Japan) and Susan Maxon (USA). The Officials with the Member at Large become the executive committee of ISTA. Good work.
Global information
In 2006 SEED News published an article on the benefits of an innovation by Bayer CropScience, CropStar, a product especially developed for the treatment of maize seeds.
As SEED News is also published in English, JK Agri Genetics Ltd. in India received an issue. The company's vice president, Dr. S.V.R. Rao, was interested in that article so that while participating in the ISTA/ABRATES Congress, he visited the Bayer CropScience stand. He was received by Mauro Alberton, general manager of the insecticide and seed treatment sectors of the company.
Acknowledgement I
The International Seed Federation (ISF) has invited ABRASEM and BRASPOV to organize the Federation's annual congress in Brazil. This confirms the confidence of ISF on Associations capacity to organize and manage this type of event, which in less than one year was put to the test in Fortaleza (August, 2006) and Foz do Iguaçu (May, 2007).
New ISTA officials
ISTA has its new Officials for the 2007/10 period, elected during its 28th Congress, held at Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil. Katalin Ertsey (Hungary) was conducted as President, John Hampton (New Zealand) as 1st Vice-President and Udo von Kröcher (Germany) as 2nd Vice-President. SEED News wishes all of them the best of success during their tenure.
Honorary President II
The ISF during its congress in New Zealand, nominated Selwyn Manning as Honorary Life President. Recognition of all work done as president of an organization is something that really touches the heart. Congratulations.
Regional integration
One of the many legacies of the Seed Congress was the interest showed by South American countries on the possibility of achieving a regional integration of the seed business. INASE (National Seed Institute, Uruguay), INASE (same as former, Argentina) and the Association of Bolivian Seed Growers displayed their stands in the showroom to promote their respective seed programs. SEED News witnessed the interest of this initiative, based on the constant presence of congress participants in all three stands.
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