Seed E-News

April 2, 2004

Agriculture Secretary announces Norman E. Borlaug Fellows Program
In Washington DC on March 29, 2004, Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman launched the Norman E. Borlaug International Science and Technology Fellows Program to support technological progress in the developing world. The program will be targeted at developing countries, offering short-term scientific training in the United States and supporting the exchange of researchers, policymakers and university faculty. Participants will be placed at land grant and 1890's colleges and universities, USDA and other government agencies, international research centers and other non-profit institutions and private companies. To read more, follow this link Borlaug Program.

ASTA 121st Annual Convention
You can now register on-line for the Annual Convention in Philadelphia in June. To register, please follow this link Registration. Registrants should be aware that on May 21, 2004, registration fees for members and non-members will increase. You are encouraged to register early to take advantage of the reduced fees. For more information about the Annual Convention, please see the links in Upcoming Events at the foot of the page.

Treaty on Biodiversity to become Law
On March 31, 2004, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced in Rome that eleven European countries, Egypt and the European Union — as a member organization — had ratified the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, bring to 48 the number of countries who have ratified it. The latest ratifications trigger the 90-day countdown to the Treaty's entry into force. For more on this, follow this link Biodiversity Treaty.

USDA grants Protection to eight New Plant Varieties
In Washington, DC on April 2, The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued certificates of protection to developers of eight new varieties of seed-reproduced and tuber-propagated plants. They include bluegrass, cotton, fescue, peanut, rice, and tobacco.Ê The eight certificates are being issued under the Plant Variety Protection Act. The certificates require that the varieties be new, distinct, uniform and stable. The owners will have the exclusive right to reproduce, sell, import and export their products in the United States for the duration of protection.

The eight certificates are:

• the Rugby II variety of kentucky bluegrass, developed by J.R. Simplot Company, Post Falls, ID;
• the Moonlight and Denium varieties of kentucky bluegrass, developed by Pure Seed Testing, Inc., Hubbard, OR;
• the Fibermax 989 variety of cotton, developed by Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Campbell, Australia;
• the Bandana variety tall fescue, developed by Pure Seed Testing, Inc, Hubbard, OR;
• the OLin* variety of peanut, developed by Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, College Station, TX;
• the Cocodrie variety of rice, developed by Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Crowley, LA.;
• the RG81* variety of tobacco, developed by F.W. Richard Seeds, Inc., Winchester, KY.

In the United States seed of this variety (1) shall be sold by variety name only as a class of certified seed and (2) shall conform to the number of generations specified by the owner of the rights (84 STAT. 1542, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2321 ET SEQ).

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service administers the Plant Variety Protection Act, which provides time limited marketing protection to developers of new and distinct seed- reproduced and tuber-propagated plants ranging from farm crops to flowers. For additional information contact the Plant Variety Protection Office at telephone (301) 504-5518, fax (301) 504-5291 or the Internet at www.ams.usda.gov/science/PVPO/pvp.htm.

Bayer Decision Blow to UK GM Crops
At the beginning of March 2004, the British Environment Secretary, Margaret Beckett, told Parliament that ministers had agreed in principle to the growing of a single variety of GM maize, produced by Bayer CropScience, in England — the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly would have to decide separately. In a move that is severe blow to the future of GM crops in the UK, Bayer announced on March 31 that it is giving up plans to grow Chardon LL maize commercially. The company blamed the Environment Secretary for placing too many restrictions on growing the variety and claimed that commercial cultivation is now "economically non-viable". Chardon LL was the only type of GM crop approved after lengthy trials of a number of varieties. To read more on this story from the BBC, follow this link Bayer Decision.

Seed Technologist Training Workshops
Mid-West Seed Services, Inc., of Brookings, SD, is hosting seed technologist training workshop May 3-7, 2004. The workshop sessions are designed for seed analysts, seed technologists, quality assurance personnel and others interested in traditional and genetic seed testing analysis. Sessions include Purity and Seed Identification, Genetics, Tetrazolium (TZ) Testing, and Seed Germination and Vigor. Participants may attend any or all sessions. The format of the workshop includes lecture and hands-on experience. Agendas, a Registration Form and Travel/lodging information are available on Mid-West Seed Services' website, www.mwseed.com/workshops.htm. The workshop will be credited towards RST/RGT continuing education. If you have questions, or to register, please contact Mid-West Seed Services, Inc., 236 32nd Ave. Brookings, SD 57006. Phone 605-692-7611 or via email workshops@mwseed.com.

Kansas State University - Treated Seed Aids Crop Yields Even When Insects Are Scarce
Plenty of evidence shows that pesticide-treated seed helps corn and grain sorghum yields by curbing damage when thereâs a hefty insect infestation, but Kansas State University research indicates that using treated seed also boosts yields when few pests are present. To read more on this story, follow this link KSU.

USDA Releases Draft Document Outlining Risks Associated with Imported Soybeans
Readers are reminded that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is seeking public comments on a draft document outlining the risks associated with importing soybean products from countries affected by soybean rust. For details about how to comment, please see the E-News for week ending March 19, 2004. APHIS will give consideration to comments received on or before April 12, 2004. ASTA encourages all member companies to provide all sound scientific information DIRECTLY to APHIS.Ê As ASTA is compiling all information on soybean rust to respond to any regulatory proposal in the future, please forward a copy of any submission made to APHIS. If you have any questions, please contact Mark Condon or Alexis Ellicott at (703) 837-8140.

PVPO seeks Nominations for the Plant Variety Protection Board:
The Plant Variety Protection Office is seeking nominations by April 30, 2004 for the Plant Variety Protection Board to be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Under the Plant Variety Protection Act, "the Board shall consist of individuals who are experts in various areas of varietal development" which is interpreted to include plant breeding, seed increase, certification, merchandising and use. Membership of the Board "shall include farmer representation and shall be drawn approximately equally from the private or seed industry sector and from the sector of government or the public". The PVPO Board consists of 14 members, each of whom is appointed for a 2-year period, with no member appointed for more than three 2-year periods. The term of the present board will expire in June 2004. The first meeting of the new Board will most likely be held in the spring of 2005. In order to provide the Secretary of Agriculture a broad choice, from a diverse group of applicants, in appointing Board members, the PVPO is asking for nominations of person(s) for membership on the Board, to serve for two years from the date of appointment. Expenses will be covered by USDA. For more information on this, and how to apply, please follow this link PVPO.

USDA Seek Nominations to Fill Vacancies on National Organic Standards Board
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on March 8 that it is seeking nominations to fill five upcoming vacancies on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Successful candidates will be appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman to serve a 5-year term of office commencing January 24, 2005, and terminating January 24, 2010. The NOSB is a 15-member board responsible for developing and recommending to the Secretary a proposed National List of Approved and Prohibited Substances. The NOSB also advises the Secretary on all other aspects of the National Organic Program.

USDA is asking for nominations to fill the following five upcoming NOSB vacancies: organic producer (two positions), organic handler, retailer, and environmentalist. To serve on the NOSB, an individual must be either an owner or operator of an organic production operation, an owner or operator of an organic handling operation, an individual who owns or operates a retail establishment with significant trade in organic products, or an individual with expertise in areas of environmental protection and resource conservation. USDA will follow equal opportunity practices in all appointments to the NOSB. Written nominations, accompanied by resumes, must be postmarked on or before June 14, 2004, and sent to:

Ms. Katherine E. Benham
Advisory Board Specialist, National Organic Program
USDA-AMS-TMP-NOP
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Room 4008-S, Ag Stop 0268
Washington, D.C. 20250

For more information, contact Ms. Katherine Benham on (202) 205-7806, by fax on (202) 205-7808 or by e-mail at katherine.benham@usda.gov. For more information on the National Organic Standards Board, check out the web site at www.ams.usda.gov/nosb/.

Vermont's Secretary of Agriculture Defends GM Seed Future
In discussions with a Vermont newspaper, the stateâs Secretary of Agriculture Steve Kerr said the risks posed by genetically engineered seeds have been misunderstood by opponents, and the state did the best it could in adopting co-existence guidelines to minimize the movement of the genetic traits. To read the story in the Brattleboro Reformer, follow this link Vermont.

Brazil GMO Food Labeling Rules Go Into Effect
Brazil's controversial rules on the labeling of food products containing more than 1 percent genetically modified (GMO) material, originally scheduled to go into effect on March 1, went into effect on March 31, 2004.Ê For more on this story, please follow this link Label Rules.

GM Plant Tracks Land Mines
The Observer newspaper in Britain reports that scientists have created a genetically-modified plant which turns red in the presence of buried explosives, an ideal tracker for pinpointing land mines. The discovery has sparked a row among activists and charities. Some claim the system is dangerous, unproven and unnecessary. Others say it could prove vital in dealing with the world's land mines which kill and maim thousands of people every year. To read more on this story, follow this link Land Mines.

World Conference on Organic Seed
On July 5-7, 2004, a conference for stakeholders in the organic seed sector will be held at the headquarters of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome. Delegates are expected to include scientists, plant breeders, seed producers, farmers, certifiers, and others interested in organic farming and seed production. ASTA is represented on the conference organizing committee by Frederick "Chip" Sundstrom of the California Crop Improvement Association. The conference is sponsored by the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM), the FAO and the International Seed Federation. The focus of the conference will be on the scientific and technical aspects of organic seed issues and participants will also evaluate regulatory requirements. Registration information and a provisional program can be found by visiting www.organicseedconf.org.

Industry People
If you have any personnel changes, or other developments in your company, that you would like included in E-News, please send details to ppatterson@amseed.org.

Upcoming Events

May 24-26, 2004
International Seed Federation Congress
Berlin, Germany
www.worldseed2004.com

June 27-30, 2004
121st ASTA Annual Convention
Wyndham Franklin Plaza
Philadelphia, PA
Tel: 1-888.890.7333
For more information on this joint meeting with the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies, please follow this link Speakers.

November 7-8, 2004
ASTA 50th Farm & Lawn Seed Conference
Westin Crown Center
Kansas City, MO

December 8-10, 2004
ASTA 34th Soybean & 59th Corn & Sorghum Conferences and Seed Expo 2004
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Chicago, IL
Tel: 1-888.890.7333

January 22-25, 2005
ASTA 44th Vegetable & Flower Conference
Grand Hyatt San Francisco
San Francisco, CA.

June 19-22, 2005
122nd ASTA Annual Convention
Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Tower
Seattle, WA

July 7-14, 2006
Joint ASTA-CSTA Annual Convention
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Chicago, IL