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Seed E-News
April 9, 2004
USDA signs agreement with American Seed Trade Association
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation
Service Chief Bruce Knight recently signed a memorandum of understanding
(MOU) with the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) to promote
better exchange of seed technology. "This partnership will
ensure that quality native seed is available for future conservation
efforts. Native seed supplies are essential and must be available
for conservation program participants," Knight said.
The NRCS Plant Materials Program selects plants that are important
to conservation efforts and develops innovative planting technologies
that make the plants more effective in solving conservation concerns.
The program includes a network of 26 plant materials centers that
work with commercial seed producers to make sure that high quality
seed needed for conservation work is available. In addition, NRCS
works closely with the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management
to make recommendations for reseeding after wildfires and other
major disturbances, as well as to improve rangeland quality in the
West. The five-year MOU to exchange cultivation information and
technology extends to those activities of ASTA, the NRCS Plant Materials
Program and related programs that apply to conservation of natural
resources.
Signatories to the MOU were Knight and Dick Crowder, ASTA President
and CEO.
Veneman names Nation's Top Vet as APHIS Administrator
In Washington DC on April 9, Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman
announced the appointment of Dr. Ron DeHaven as administrator of
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). As APHIA
administrator, DeHaven will manage programs that critical to the
protection of America's livestock, plants and food supply. DeHaven
replaces Bobby Acord, who retired on April 3, after almost 38 years
of federal service. To read the USDA news release, please follow
this link Release.
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.
USDA grants Protection to 17 New Plant Varieties
In Washington, DC on April 5, the US Department of Agriculture issued
certificates of protection to developers of 17 new varieties of
seed-reproduced and tuber-propagated plants. They include bean,
cotton, potato, soybean and wheat. The 17 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 17 certificates are:
- the Oz variety of garden bean, developed by Syngenta
Seeds, Inc., Boise, ID;
- the GC-120, GC-500 and GC-271 varieties of cotton, developed
by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., Johnston, IA;
- the AP 6101, AP 4103 and AP 6102 varieties of cotton,
developed by Stoneville Pedigreed Seed Company, Memphis, TN.;
- the Sure-Grow 150R variety of cotton, developed by D&PL
Technology Holding Corporation, Scott, MS.;
- the Sure-Grow 747 and Sure-Grow 105 variety of cotton,
developed by Sure-Grow Seed, Centre, AL.;
- the Dp HTO Pima variety of cotton, developed by Olvey
& Associates, Inc,. Maricopa, AZ.;
- the Fibermax 832 variety of cotton, developed by Commonwealth
Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Campbell, Australia;
- the AP 7115 variety of cotton, developed by Emergent
Genetics, Inc., Memphis, TN;
- the FL 2027 variety of potato, developed by Frito-Lay
North America, Inc., Plano, TX;
- the Amandine variety of potato, developed by Germicopa
S.A., Cedex, France;
- the DP 5655 variety of soybean, developed by D&PL Technology
Holding Corporation, Scott, MS; and
- the Baker's White* variety of common wheat, developed
by Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO.
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).
US Fights Soybean Rust
Efforts were stepped up this week to provide US farmers with tools
to fight Asian soybean rust, the devastating fungus-caused disease
that can cut crop yields by half or more. On Tuesday, April 6, the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved emergency use of
the fungicide myclobutanil in South Dakota and Minnesota to treat
soybean rust. Under EPA rules, states and agencies can make requests
for Section 18 quarantine exemptions that allow use of chemicals
that have been well tested by scientists. Other states are working
to receive the Section 18 exemption, according to Dow AgroSciences,
which sells formulations of myclobutanil called Laredo EC and Laredo
EW. For more, follow this link Soybean
Rust.
EU GM Risk Assessment Under the Spotlight
At the request of the European Commission, the GMO panel at the
Brussels-based European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) put together
a detailed document to assist applicants in the preparation and
presentation of applications for GM plants and derived food and
feed. Comments on the guidance document issued by EFSA are invited
by 30 April, 2004. For more on the story, please follow this link
Risk
Assessment. The guidance document itself can be found by following
this link Guidance.
EU Organic Logo to Become Compulsory
The use of the European Union's currently hardly known organic label
is to become compulsory as provided for in the European Action Plan,
which is to be passed shortly.Ê Many well-known figures in the organic
industry have already spoken out against this logo seeing a risk
of confusion with other EU logos of similar appearance.Ê EU Agriculture
Commissioner Fischler on the other hand thinks that compulsory use
of the organic label would promote the sale of organic products.Ê
An information campaign is to publicize the blue label with the
circle of stars and an ear of corn in the middle.Ê Fischler assumes
that the market for organic products will remain a niche market,
but could achieve a share of up to 15 % - current share in the EU
is around 3 %.
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.
Tanzania Working on GM Crops Policy Options
Tanzania, in east Africa, is drafting a policy on GM crops in preparation
adopting the technology, which some advocates consider a necessity
for the future of food production. The country's Minister for Agriculture
and Food Security, Charles Keenja, said in Dar es Salaam last week
that the country had taken no clear position" on GM products to
date but that Tanzania cannot avoid this technology although it
is important is to put in place mechanisms and guidelines on how
it would be introduced. For more on this story, follow this link
Tanzania.
Germany Plants GM Wheat
This week, Syngenta planted GM wheat on farmland in the German state
of Saxony-Anhalt in former East Germany — the first-ever open
air planting of its kind in the country. The planting of the wheat,
which is expected to have better protection against fungal infections,
took place while 30 police officers guarded the area. The wheat
is expected to be ready for harvest in September and will be destroyed
except for a few plants that will be used for research. Saxony-Anhalt
also plans to conduct tests with genetically modified corn and has
set aside ¥100 million ($129 million) for research.
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, ãthe Board shall consist of individuals who are experts in
various areas of varietal developmentä which is interpreted to include
plant breeding, seed increase, certification, merchandising and
use. Membership of the Board ãshall 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.Ê 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.Ê 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/.
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
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