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 Green line - nov/dec 2005
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OriLeg
With a pro-active philosophy, Brazilian cotton chain has created and implanted a volunteer-certification program which proposes the use of legal material based on patents, cultivars protection, biosafety, and seeds laws. The program is called OriLeg, which means legal origin. It is an initiative from both Brazilian Seed Association (Abrasem) and Brazilian Association of Plant Obtainers (Braspov). It has involved the whole cotton chain, such as research, seed production, traders, fiber production, spinning, weaving, dying, and confection. Besides those segments, another participant is the bank system. It is nice to realize that when the different links in the chain take sit around a table and achieve an unanimous action, government endorses the program and it has great chances of being successful. Legality, computerization, and communication are the program's heart.
HYBRID RICE
Due to its productive capacity, hybrid rice is increasing its share in the Brazilian national market. It has started in state of Rio Grande do Sul and now other states are adopting this technology. This is the international trend for farmers who make use of high technology. In Brazil there are two companies that already have commercial material, RiceTec and Bayer Seeds, respectively.
BARCODE
Such topic has been under discussion for three years at OECD and finally a decision was taken. Package labels can have a non official information, so, barcode can be used since it fills up to 20% of the area, with the reading: the information in this area is non official, not endorsable and not inspected by the authority ascribed.
SEED FEDERATION
The current president of Federal Association of Latin America Seeds (Felas), Mr. Ywao Miyamoto, suggests that countries should follow the Brazilian example, creating their national federations. Most countries in the area have more than one national association in the seed sector. It seems that the initiative is being successful, even American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) executives have been meeting Felas's president looking for details of this initiative.
MARKET
The compliance to laws and agreements is crucial for things to run well. However it is not always like that. Many times some interpretations occur that can take two partners to juridical disputes. In this sense, based on patents law, the company Monsanto could make two big vessels with Argentinean soya beans be stopped in European ports. Such attitude forces a quick decision from the parties since potential losses are huge.
SOYBEANS ASIAN RUST
Fours ways of soy beans Asian rust resistance have been detected in exotic soybeans accesses. The breeding programs are, let's say, stacking up those resistances in elite cultivars. This procedure allows a stronger resistance. It is estimated for 2008 the first soybean Asian rust resistant varieties.
OECD I
The Workshop On Seed Certification and Contemporary Biotechnology within OECD's seed scheme took place in Paris, on September 27 and 28. The objective of the event was to collect ideas and positions of how seed certification must face the application of contemporary biotechnology in the development of new varieties. Representatives from 53 countries have met there. It was a consensus that the identification of adventitious seeds is a matter of national nature in which the countries must follow their own standards and identification procedures.
OECD II
In the workshop, seed producers from Latin America discussed important points to the sector. Among the main ones it can highlight: 1) varietal identity of the seeds, where the requirements for the use of biochemical and molecular use were discussed; 2) varietal purity of seeds, where genetical and varietal purity as well as proofs of adventitious presence, and management of segregation were discussed, and; 3) seed quality related to international movement of seeds for multiplication and management of adventitious seeds in the seed international trade.
SEED TREATMENT
The directory of ISF committee on seed treatment and environment, that provides names and contact details to those wishing to get information on seed treatment, is available at www.worldseed.org. The committee had just met in Brussels and agreed to prepare a leaflet to update the one of 1999, as well, as to work toward harmonizing regulations to facilitate the international movement of seeds.
SEED CERTIFICATION
Up to now the participation in OECD's seed certification schemes was restricted for members of the United Nations. In this OECD meeting in September 2005, it was agreed that every country which is a member of the international business is also allowed to participate. It will particularly allow Taiwan to participate in the certification seed schemes.
CAPACITATION
National association for Uruguay seed producers (Anaprose), in a partnership with Federal University of Pelotas, has just had a course for their technicians in seed production and technology. Anaprose makes an annual actualization course and/or specialization in seed production with focus on temperate climate pastures. Uruguay is known for its large experience in seed exports.
UPOV
The purpose of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) is to encourage the development of new varieties of plants by granting breeders an intellectual property right on the basis of a set defined principles. It has now 60 members, being the last one to join, Albania. Now to become a member, a country must join the 1991 Act which grants property up to the grain.
TECHNOLOGICAL TAX (TT) AGREEMENT
The agreement that occurred at Abrasem's level between the company Monsanto with seed producers can be considered a great success. It is detailed that TT final adjustments have been made with Apassul and the contract that involves several clauses was settled with Apasem. In summary, farmers who buy RR legal soybeans seeds will pay a lower TT than those ones who use seeds from another origin.
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