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Euroseeds

Euroseeds

Euroseeds represents the European seed sector's interests in plant breeding, seed production, and marketing.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Sylvain Giraud (Head of Unit Health and Food Safety) and European Potato Trade Association

27 Nov 2025 · Exchange of views on the import of potato seeds from the UK in the EU

Meeting with Jessica Polfjärd (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

26 Nov 2025 · NGT

Euroseeds Urges Clear Rules to Boost Organic Seed Market Competitiveness

18 Nov 2025
Topic — Revision of EU organic trade rules to simplify legislation and align with court rulings.
Message — Euroseeds requests ending derogations for conventional seeds by 2036 to ensure a level playing field. They advocate for clear boundaries between plant material types to provide legal clarity for breeders. They propose a European router database to improve organic seed availability across Member States.123
Why — Consistent rules would provide seed companies with market certainty and better rewards for organic investments.4
Impact — Farmers currently relying on cheaper conventional untreated seeds would face higher costs once derogations expire.5
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Meeting with Dorota Denning (Cabinet of Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis)

20 Oct 2025 · simplification

Euroseeds urges simplified seed marketing and packaging reuse exemptions

13 Oct 2025
Topic — The initiative aims to reduce administrative burdens within EU food and feed safety laws.
Message — The organization seeks automatic variety listing and exemptions from mandatory packaging reuse rules. They also advocate for digital labels and science-based thresholds for the accidental presence of GMOs.12
Why — The industry would benefit from accelerated product launches and significantly reduced compliance expenditures.3
Impact — Environmental groups lose the benefits of strict waste reduction targets and zero-tolerance GMO policies.4
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Meeting with Irene Sacristan Sanchez (Head of Unit Health and Food Safety) and Bayer AG and

9 Oct 2025 · Exchange of views on the state of play of the interinstitutional negotiations on the Commission proposal for a Regulation on plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques (NGT proposal)

Meeting with Irene Sacristan Sanchez (Head of Unit Health and Food Safety)

6 Oct 2025 · Exchange on the Commission proposal on plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques (NGT proposal) and interplay with plant breeding and procedures under the Plant Reproductive Material (PRM) legislation.

Meeting with Antonella Rossetti (Cabinet of Commissioner Christophe Hansen) and KWS SAAT SE Co. KGaA

18 Sept 2025 · Update on the on-going negotiations of Commission legislative proposals on new genomic techniques (NGTs) and on plant reproductive material (PRM)

Euroseeds calls for harmonized EU rules on seed biostimulants

17 Sept 2025
Topic — Evaluation of EU Fertilising Products Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 effectiveness since July 2022.
Message — The organization requests harmonization between EU and national fertiliser legislation to enable free movement of seeds treated with biostimulants. They want expansion beyond the current four permitted microorganism types to include more innovative technologies.12
Why — This would remove trade barriers and expand their access to innovative seed treatment technologies.34
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Meeting with Flavio Facioni (Cabinet of Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi) and KWS SAAT SE Co. KGaA

16 Sept 2025 · Simplification, NGTs, PRM

Meeting with Klaus Berend (Director Health and Food Safety) and

7 Jul 2025 · Exchange of views on the state of play of the interinstitutional negotiations on the Commission proposal for a Regulation on plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques (NGT proposal) – Patent-related aspects.

Meeting with Sylvain Giraud (Head of Unit Health and Food Safety) and Plantum

2 Jul 2025 · New developments in the breeding of potato varieties

Meeting with Jessica Polfjärd (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

30 Jun 2025 · NGT

Euroseeds urges investment in plant breeding for circular bioeconomy

20 Jun 2025
Topic — EU initiative aiming for a climate-neutral economy through sustainable biomass use.
Message — Euroseeds advocates for significant investment in research to develop resilient and multipurpose plant varieties. They request policies that reward farmers and support breeding efforts to optimize biomass composition.12
Why — New investments would accelerate the commercial adoption of innovative, high-value seed varieties.3
Impact — Fossil fuel-based chemical producers face competition from more sustainable plant-derived alternatives.4
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Euroseeds Urges Modernized Rules for Plant Breeding Innovation

10 Jun 2025
Topic — The Commission is proposing the Biotech Act to modernize the European biotechnology framework.
Message — The organization requests a science-based, proportionate regulatory environment to support plant breeding. They argue for a differentiated framework for New Genomic Techniques and modernized GMO legislation.12
Why — Simplified regulations and targeted funding would lower R&D costs and market barriers.34
Impact — Foreign biotech developers lose market dominance as European domestic production becomes viable.5
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Meeting with Lena Düpont (Member of the European Parliament)

4 Jun 2025 · Competitive and sustainable farming in Europe: Improving access and transparency on patented traits in plant breeding

Meeting with Sylvain Giraud (Head of Unit Health and Food Safety)

12 May 2025 · Commission’s proposal for a Regulation on plant reproductive material (PRM).

Meeting with Stefan Köhler (Member of the European Parliament)

7 May 2025 · Politischer Austausch

Meeting with Silvia Sardone (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair)

6 May 2025 · ENVI

Meeting with Irene Sacristan Sanchez (Head of Unit Health and Food Safety) and Bayer AG and

25 Mar 2025 · Policy developments relevant to European seed sector (proposal on plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques, NGTs)

Euroseeds demands updated laws to protect plant breeding innovation

13 Mar 2025
Topic — This evaluation assesses the EU legal framework for protecting plant variety intellectual property.
Message — Euroseeds wants farmers to pay higher royalties for seeds saved on-farm. They also propose stricter definitions to prevent new technologies from copying original varieties.12
Why — Strengthened enforcement would secure better financial returns on their expensive research and development.34
Impact — Farmers would face higher costs and increased administrative burdens for saving seeds.56
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Meeting with Sylvain Giraud (Head of Unit Health and Food Safety)

13 Mar 2025 · Meeting with Euroseeds on

Meeting with Valérie Hayer (Member of the European Parliament) and Corteva Agriscience International SARL

12 Mar 2025 · NGT

Euroseeds urges flexible labelling for treated seed packages

30 Jan 2025
Topic — Updated EU rules for harmonising plant protection product labelling and risk communication.
Message — Euroseeds requests allowing safety phrases on accompanying documents rather than labels for small packages. They also propose moving technical dust measurements from seed bags to treatment facility requirements.12
Why — This approach reduces logistical difficulties and costs for companies selling small seed quantities.3
Impact — Farmers may lose direct access to specific environmental safety data on seed labels.4
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Meeting with Gheorghe Cârciu (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

29 Jan 2025 · Granting equivalence with EU requirements to Moldova and Ukraine as regards field inspections and production of seeds

Meeting with Daniel Buda (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

27 Jan 2025 · Granting equivalence with EU requirements to Moldova and Ukraine as regards field inspections and production of seed

Meeting with Veronika Vrecionová (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair)

22 Jan 2025 · New Genomic Techniques

Meeting with Jessica Polfjärd (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

22 Jan 2025 · NGT policy

Meeting with Herbert Dorfmann (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

17 Dec 2024 · development of the dossier on plant reproductive material

Meeting with Veronika Vrecionová (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

13 Nov 2024 · Equivalence Moldova and Ukraine (Production of seeds), future of plant breeding and seed sector

Meeting with Herbert Dorfmann (Member of the European Parliament)

18 Sept 2024 · Discussion over seeds-related files

Meeting with Jessica Polfjärd (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

18 Sept 2024 · Agriculture and NGT policy

Meeting with Mireia Borrás Pabón (Member of the European Parliament)

17 Sept 2024 · AGRI

Meeting with Anne Sander (Member of the European Parliament)

23 Apr 2024 · Agriculture

Meeting with Herbert Dorfmann (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

12 Apr 2024 · PRM

Meeting with Herbert Dorfmann (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

18 Mar 2024 · PRM

Meeting with Norbert Lins (Member of the European Parliament) and KWS SAAT SE Co. KGaA

12 Feb 2024 · Dinner on Policy Developments in Seed Sector

Meeting with Peter Van Kemseke (Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen)

22 Jan 2024 · AGRI Dialogue

Meeting with Clara Aguilera (Member of the European Parliament)

19 Jan 2024 · Draft Regukation plant reproductive material

Meeting with Tom Vandenkendelaere (Member of the European Parliament) and Penta and The American Seed Trade Association

8 Jan 2024 · new genomic techniques, seed production

Meeting with Norbert Lins (Member of the European Parliament)

14 Dec 2023 · Saatgutverordnung

Meeting with Jérémy Decerle (Member of the European Parliament)

13 Dec 2023 · Nouvelles téchniques génomiques

Meeting with Bert-Jan Ruissen (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

13 Dec 2023 · Plant Reproductive Material

Meeting with Anne Sander (Member of the European Parliament)

13 Dec 2023 · Agriculture

Meeting with Irène Tolleret (Member of the European Parliament)

13 Dec 2023 · Semences

Meeting with Isabel Carvalhais (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

12 Dec 2023 · Plant Reprodutive Material

Meeting with Camilla Laureti (Member of the European Parliament)

6 Dec 2023 · dossier 2023

Meeting with Herbert Dorfmann (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

30 Nov 2023 · PRM

Meeting with Erik Poulsen (Member of the European Parliament) and The American Seed Trade Association

27 Nov 2023 · New Genomic Techniques

Meeting with Juozas Olekas (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur for opinion)

22 Nov 2023 · New plant breeding techniques

Meeting with Veronika Vrecionová (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

22 Nov 2023 · NGT file

Meeting with Bert-Jan Ruissen (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

22 Nov 2023 · Plant Reproductive Material

Meeting with César Luena (Member of the European Parliament)

21 Nov 2023 · Reglamento sobre nuevas técnicas genómicas

Meeting with Isabel Carvalhais (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

21 Nov 2023 · Plant Reproductive Material

Meeting with Christophe Clergeau (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and European farmers and

26 Oct 2023 · Table ronde avec les représentants de l'industrie sur la proposition de règlement sur les nouveaux OGM

Meeting with Herbert Dorfmann (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

11 Oct 2023 · NGTs

Meeting with Jessica Polfjärd (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

26 Sept 2023 · New Genomic Techniques

Euroseeds welcomes EU genomic techniques proposal but warns of barriers

22 Sept 2023
Topic — New EU regulation on plants obtained by targeted mutagenesis and cisgenesis techniques.
Message — The organization requests that Category 1 NGT plants be treated identically to conventional varieties, without additional labeling or exclusion from organic farming. They want clearer criteria for the verification process and oppose GMO-light requirements for Category 2 plants.123
Why — This would allow seed companies to market innovative products without labeling costs or organic market exclusion.45
Impact — Organic consumers lose transparency about genomic techniques used in their food production.67
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Euroseeds defends export of treated seeds to global markets

5 Jul 2023
Topic — Proposed EU ban on exporting hazardous chemicals that are prohibited domestically.
Message — Seed treatment protects plant health from pests to ensure crop quality and yield. It also prevents farmers abroad from having to handle dangerous raw chemicals directly.12
Why — This would preserve export revenues totaling billions of euros for European companies.3
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Meeting with Clara Aguilera (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur for opinion) and CropLife Europe and

4 Jul 2023 · Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation

Meeting with Norbert Lins (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair)

25 Apr 2023 · New Genomic Techniques Proposal

Meeting with Veronika Vrecionová (Member of the European Parliament)

25 Apr 2023 · New breeding techniques

Euroseeds warns against double counting in pesticide record rules

3 Nov 2022
Topic — The European Commission is defining requirements for electronic record-keeping of pesticide applications.
Message — The organization requests removing the requirement to record the sowing of treated seeds to avoid double counting pesticide use. They also advocate for electronic systems connected to official databases to simplify data entry.123
Why — These changes would reduce the administrative burden and prevent inaccurate reporting of chemical use.4
Impact — Member States would face higher costs to develop and maintain integrated electronic systems.5
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Meeting with Jorge Pinto Antunes (Cabinet of Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski) and Bayer AG and

11 Oct 2022 · To discuss the contribution of innovative plant breeding to food security and sustainability to achieve the green deal objectives

Meeting with Joanna Stawowy (Cabinet of Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski), Jorge Pinto Antunes (Cabinet of Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski) and

11 Oct 2022 · To discuss the contribution of innovative plant breeding to food security and sustainability to achieve the green deal objectives

Meeting with Lukas Visek (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

21 Sept 2022 · Novel Genomic Technique

Euroseeds warns pesticide ban threatens European plant breeding

14 Sept 2022
Topic — This consultation addresses the proposed revision of EU rules on the sustainable use of pesticides.
Message — Euroseeds requests removing pesticide bans in sensitive areas and exempting breeding sites. They claim restricting seed treatments undermines crop establishment and sustainable farming.12
Why — This prevents the collapse of breeding activities and maintains existing production sites.34
Impact — Environmental groups lose the strict pesticide bans designed to protect sensitive areas.56
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Meeting with Maciej Golubiewski (Cabinet of Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski)

27 Jul 2022 · Novel Genomic Techniques

Meeting with Giorgos Rossides (Cabinet of Commissioner Stella Kyriakides), Ines Prainsack (Cabinet of Commissioner Stella Kyriakides), Roberto Reig Rodrigo (Cabinet of Commissioner Stella Kyriakides)

16 Jun 2022 · VTC meeting on Plant reproductive material and NGTs.

Response to Revision of the EU Pollinators Initiative

8 Jun 2022

Seed treatment is a precision application technique of plant protection products. Being a targeted, onetime application on seed, seed treatment effectively reduces the proportion of the treated area that comes into direct contact with the active substance. Additionally, seed treatment limits the potential exposure for operators, bystanders, and non-target species. The seed treatment process is highly professional and is conducted by specialists, with careful management of safety and environmental protection. Facilities are designed to ensure safe operating conditions and special equipment protects workers from accidental exposure to the active ingredients. Workers are trained to use the personal protective equipment they are provided with. The professional seed treatment process is certified by ESTA, the European Seed Treatment Assurance Scheme. The seed treatment technology is compatible with the principles of Integrated Pest Management Approach (IPM), by effectively and efficiently combating pest population’s growth.
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Meeting with Norbert Lins (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair) and Corteva Agriscience International SARL and

30 Mar 2022 · Seed Sector

Response to Recognition of the equivalence for seeds produced in Bolivia

24 Mar 2022

Euroseeds is the voice of the European seed sector. We represent the interests of those active in research, breeding, production and marketing of seeds of agricultural, horticultural and ornamental plant species. With more than 34 national member associations from EU Members States and other European countries, Euroseeds represents several thousand seed businesses, as well 67 direct company members, including from seed related industries. We believe that given the on-going discussions on the revision of the Seed Marketing Directives, enough time is needed to ensure a smooth transition between the current rules and whatever possible new ones could derive from the revision. This would ensure a continuous flow in seed trade and offer legal certainty for business operators. We also believe that the proposed decision to recognize equivalence for Bolivia is duly justified by the assessment and the audit on its seed production and certification system done by the European Commission. This will ensure that seed produced in Bolivia complies with the same standards than in the EU with regard to the identity, health and quality of the seed. With this proposal, EU-based companies can diversify their seed production areas to reduce risks of producing in one climate zone. The main advantage of Bolivia on the EU market would be the counter seasonal production of seed, guaranteeing the availability of certain seeds in springtime in the Northern hemisphere. Granting the EU equivalence would therefore contribute to the maintenance of the continuous supply of high-quality seed in the EU.
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Response to Soil Health Law – protecting, sustainably managing and restoring EU soils

16 Mar 2022

For Euroseeds soil is life. So Euroseeds supports healthy soils and we welcome the opportunity to provide input in European Commission’s public consultation. Seeds are the starting point of agricultural production and they thrive in soils. Our members constantly contribute to soil health by innovating (e.g. digital agriculture, carbon farming). Innovation is crucial for reducing inputs and managing soil issues such as controlling diseases and reducing erosion. Developments in genome editing, (bio)- pesticides, and biostimulants look promising. Through plant breeding, including NBT- New Breeding Technologies, and having targeted seed treatment solutions that control diseases and enable optimal use of resources, we can improve soil health. We suggest the following for the impact assessment: Avoid legislative overlap e.g. the (bio)-pesticide regulation already covers soil by requiring soil specific studies. Foster innovation by enabling suitable and faster and safe registration of (bio-) pesticides and new crop varieties with NBT
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Response to Measures related to Clavibacter sepedonicus

11 Jan 2022

Contribution of Euroseeds to the public consultation on measures to eradicate and prevent the spread of Clavibacter sepedonicus. The position is supported by the majority of the membership.
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Response to Measures related to Synchytrium

11 Jan 2022

Contribution of Euroseeds to the public consultation on measures to eradicate and prevent the spread of Synchytrium endobioticum. The position is supported by the majority of the membership.
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Response to Measures related to Globodera

11 Jan 2022

Contribution of Euroseeds to the public consultation on measures to eradicate and prevent the spread of Globodera pallida (Stone) Behrens and Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenweber) Behrens. The position is supported by the majority of the membership.
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Meeting with Maciej Golubiewski (Cabinet of Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski)

4 Jan 2022 · Exchange of information

Meeting with Elina Melngaile (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis) and The American Seed Trade Association

16 Dec 2021 · Transatlantic seed trade in the context of the Trade & Technology Council

Response to Amendment of Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 to specify approval criteria for microbial active substances

23 Nov 2021

Euroseeds welcomes the initiative of the European Commission and Member States to work on a suitable regulatory environment for biologicals. Euroseeds is welcoming all innovative solutions that can be brought to the market faster. Over the last years, the European Seed Sector has been confronted with a decrease in competitiveness, due to the loss of solutions to protect seeds and seed production, as well as, due to the long timelines to register limited solutions based on micro-organisms. Therefore, we urgently need new solutions in our toolbox. The regulatory framework must contribute to bring innovation to the market faster.
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Response to Sustainable food system – setting up an EU framework

22 Oct 2021

Euroseeds is the voice of the European seed sector. It represents the interests of those active in research, breeding, production and marketing of seeds of agricultural, horticultural and ornamental plant species on all seed related issues, including (a.o.) seed marketing, GM and organic seed, biodiversity, research, plant/seed health, seed treatment, environment or land use and food production. Europe’s seed industry provides all farmers, from conventional to organic, with the seeds they need to farm sustainably. Euroseeds underlines that there is a huge diversity of different farming systems and practices in the EU that all have the potential and need to deliver on the EUs sustainability targets. The European seed sector expresses its general support for efforts to increase sustainability in Europe and emphasizes that seed is, more than ever, the key input for farmers in Europe and worldwide in this respect. Scientific studies(1) show that already today more than 66% of all productivity gains are due to improved varieties resulting from sophisticated plant breeding; it is also estimated that this figure will rise to up to 80% in the coming years, not least due to growing restrictions on the use of crop protection products, fertilizers and other inputs. Plant breeders have always targeted sustainability traits, among others, yield, pest and disease tolerance/resistance and abiotic stress tolerance. New plant varieties increase and secure crop yields while enabling the reduction of the use of plant protection products, fertilizers and other inputs, and improve plant qualities. Prolonging the shelf life of fresh produce supports healthier diets and addresses food waste. In short: plant breeding is key to a sustainable intensification of agriculture that simultaneously protects and preserves scarce natural resources. Plant breeding in the EU not only brings about positive economic and social effects, but it also helps save scarce land resources around the globe by generating higher yields per unit of area(2). Euroseeds stresses the importance to define an easy-to-implement framework and robust criteria to measure sustainability in all its three dimensions. Due to the wide range of agricultural conditions in Europe (climate, soils, infrastructure, producer organisation, access to markets, etc.) and to the variety of agronomic practices used by farmers, these criteria need to be as adaptable as possible to the different national/regional realities. In any case, we believe that there is no single criterion that could automatically be the indicator of sustainability but rather a set of criteria that would need to be adapted and assessed in view of the different practical realities. Imposing too many and inflexible new indicators would result in higher costs for professional operators, farmers and cooperatives and national authorities, resulting in a loss of competitiveness. Therefore, when defining the sustainability criteria, simplification should be a must and administrative burden should be kept to the minimum possible level, in line with the “one in, one out” instrument and the Green Deal commitment to achieve their objectives in the most effective and least burdensome way. While seeds provide key sustainability options for farmers and the value chain, their potential is only realized when they are integrated and used in suitable production, processing and trading systems. Consequently, all plant varieties – independent of the breeding process and the production method used – should be assessed for sustainability in a non-discriminatory manner. Respective criteria at variety level are addressed in the context of the ongoing “Revision of the plant and forest reproductive material legislation”. (1),(2) https://hffa-research.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/HFFA-Research-The-socio-economic-and-environmental-values-of-plant-breeding-in-the-EU.pdf
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Response to Revision of the plant and forest reproductive material legislation

13 Jul 2021

The EU legislative framework establishing the Common Seed Market has successfully provided farmers and growers with an ever-increasing quality and choice of enhanced plant varieties, supporting an economically performant and resource-efficient, i.e. truly sustainable EU agriculture. It has also successfully promoted the creation of new genetic diversity and broadened the varietal choice of farmers for a wide range of farming models and markets. Euroseeds therefore strongly believes that this legislation fundamentally supports the EU Green Deal as well as its related Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies. New innovative plant varieties with better resistances against pests and diseases, a better carbon footprint, higher yields and nutrient efficiency, more protein content, lower nitrogen needs, and many other performance traits will be critical tools to achieve their objectives and targets. This is also clearly substantiated by the 2021 study of HFFA Research on the “Socio-economic and environmental values of plant breeding in the EU and for selected EU Member States - an ex-post evaluation and ex-ante assessment considering the Farm-to-Fork and Biodiversity strategies” (link in the annex). The study reconfirms that plant breeding has been and continues to be the key driver of competitiveness and resource efficiency, boosting both the socio-economic and the environmental sustainability of EU agri-food production, and with that fully supporting the two EU strategies’ objectives. EU crop production must continue to successfully and simultaneously address the known challenges of an increasing demand caused by an increasing population (food security), alleviating pressure on land use and natural resources (improving environmental sustainability), while maintaining and further strengthening the economic competitiveness of European agriculture. Innovation in general and specifically seed innovation will become even more strategically important in this context. Consequently, the effective guarantees of identity (DUS), performance (VCU for defined species), quality (certification for defined species or high quality standards) and health of seed products (phytosanitary assurances) of all seed products for all seed users remain crucial. Based on these guarantees, the EU variety registration and seed marketing system has effectively supported the development of a competitive European seed industry that is able to reliably supply Europe’s farmers with top quality seed from an ever-increasing range of different varieties for a broad range of uses and markets. Euroseeds therefore underlines once again that these principle guarantees of the current legislation have proven fit for purpose, are fully compatible with and supportive of the objective of Green Deal and related strategies, and therefore must be maintained. At the same time, Euroseeds strongly supports continuous further improvement of the legal framework to take account of latest technological and other developments, to speed up processes, drive quality and reduce cost for operators as well as administrations. The seed sector principally supports a modernization of the legislation and its requirements where objectives can be achieved with more involvement of the sector (e.g. under official supervision), with shorter yet effective and reliable processes (automatic listing on EU Common Catalogue following national decisions) or using advanced technologies where possible. A re-alignment of Member States implementation may result from the inclusion of the legislation under the scope of the Official Controls Regulation. Still, sufficient flexibility needs to be retained to react to short-term market developments or needs (more details in annex). Euroseeds here refers to its detailed technical and managerial comments provided to the “Better Regulation” consultation of 2008 and here specifically to the two questionnaires supplied for agricultural and vegetable species (annexed).
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Euroseeds Backs Longer Protection Term for Asparagus Varieties

26 Mar 2021
Topic — EU consultation on prolonging the duration of intellectual property for specific crops.
Message — Euroseeds supports extending the plant variety protection period to 30 years. Complex breeding and slow market recognition require more time to recoup investments.12
Why — This extension would help breeders recover high costs and maintain innovation incentives.34
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Response to Action plan for the development of EU organic production

23 Oct 2020

Euroseeds is the voice of the European seed sector. We represent the interests of those active in research, breeding, production and marketing of seeds of agricultural, horticultural and ornamental plant species, on all seed related issues: seed marketing, incl. GM and organic seed, biodiversity, access, research, plant/seed health, seed treatment, environment or land use and food production. We provide all farmers, from conventional to organic, with the seeds they need to farm sustainably, and we believe that there is a huge potential in the diversity of different farming systems and practices in the EU to deliver on the EUs sustainability targets. While the agricultural land under organic farming has been increasing for the past years, the seed industry has been able to provide high-quality seed for the growing demand of seeds for organic farming. As expected, the type of plant reproductive material provided has evolved over the years to adapt to the increased demand of seeds propagated under certified organic conditions and this trend is expected to continue. Under the current conditions of market demand, the Commission expected to reach 10% of organic agricultural land by 2030 (which represents a 3% increase every year). Given this well-established trend, Euroseeds’ companies active in seed supply for organic farming felt confident to be able to deliver enough seed to the organic market. According to several calculations, in the scenario of 25% of land, a six-fold increase in seed supply for organic farming would be needed, which will be challenging for supply chains given the timeframes involved. In this case, derogations (conventional untreated seeds) may become the only way to supply the increasing demand, which will jeopardise the efforts of those companies that are breeding and producing seed under certified organic conditions. Furthermore, sufficient seed supply for organic production should not be attained by lowering seed quality standards, including phytosanitary standards and varietal identity since all farmers need good quality seed. We consider that more research on seed production is needed, especially in areas with a clear added value for organic production (i.e. pest and disease resistance or better resource-use efficiency). In this respect, we want to highlight that also increased crop yields depend on genetics to large extend, irrespectively of the type of production and therefore, no ban on breeding techniques (other than those explicitly prohibited in the Regulation) should be established. In order to achieve the 25% agricultural land under organic farming and increase the demand, several measures are proposed such as promotion, additional funding from the Common Agricultural Policy as well as public procurement and national taxation. From our point of view, this boost of public expenditure to the sector does not correspond to a market-driven development and is not sustainable in the long-term. This is specially the case if consumer demand does not increase, at least, at the same pace. The recent Eurobarometer clearly indicates that 91% of Europeans agree that organic products are more expensive than other food products while, at the same time, price remains, if not the first, among the first purchasing criteria (as also stated in the Farm to Fork conference). Given the current circumstances, actions to increase consumption of organic products might be done at the expenses of lower prices of organic food, be they by a higher use of derogations in Europe or by higher imports at lower prices which would be detrimental for EU farmers and EU seed companies. These development s would destroy the currently established and well-functioning seed supply for the organic market. In conclusion, Euroseeds firmly believes that all farmers contribute to sustainability and that the efforts should focus on increased competitiveness of the organic food chain and providing enough seed to supply the market-driven demand.
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Euroseeds demands stronger protection for plant variety intellectual property

13 Aug 2020
Topic — A proposal to modernize the European Union's intellectual property system and enforcement mechanisms.
Message — Euroseeds requests that plant variety rights are integrated more prominently and explicitly into the roadmap. They call for more stringent information obligations for farmers using farm-saved seeds. Finally, they advocate for a breeder’s exemption in national patent laws.123
Why — Stronger rules would help breeders recover revenue lost to weak enforcement of current regulations.4
Impact — Farmers would face increased regulatory oversight and more stringent reporting on seed use.5
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Seed industry advocates for seed treatments in EU pesticide review

6 Aug 2020
Topic — The European Commission is revising rules to reduce chemical pesticide use by 50%.
Message — Euroseeds wants seed treatments recognized as tools for reducing pesticide use. They also urge lawmakers to facilitate access to genome editing innovations.12
Why — This would protect the market for advanced seed-applied technologies and breeding.3
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Response to Recognition of equivalence of Ukrainian provisions on certification of cereal seed

14 Apr 2020

Euroseeds is the voice of the European seed sector. We represent the interests of those active in research, breeding, production and marketing of seeds of agricultural, horticultural and ornamental plant species. With more than 34 national member associations from EU Members States and other European countries, including the Ukraine, Euroseeds represents several thousand seed businesses, as well 67 direct company members, including from seed related industries. We believe that the proposed decision to recognize equivalence of Ukrainian cereal seed is fully backed by the audit concerning the system of official controls and of certification of cereal seed in the Ukraine, and its equivalence with Union requirements (“Final report of an audit carried in Ukraine from 26 May 2015 to 04 June 2015 in order to evaluate the system of official controls and certification of cereal seed and their equivalence with European Union requirements”). Euroseeds welcomes the proposal to include Ukraine to the list of countries, for which equivalence of field inspections of seed-producing crops of cereal species and the equivalence of the produced seed has been recognised under Annex I of Council Decision 2003/17/EC. Following the outcome of the report and the fact that this initiative only concerns technical implementation of existing rules, Euroseeds is of the opinion that the proposal for this Decision could and should actually have been put forward much earlier. Euroseeds believes that this decision will boost seed trade between the EU and the Ukraine. EU-based companies have heavily invested in the past years in seed production facilities in the Ukraine in order to reduce risks by producing in several climatic zones. Equivalence would therefore contribute to this objective and would also support the development of new market opportunities for the seed sector.
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Response to Statistics on Agricultural Input and Output

8 Apr 2020

Euroseeds recognises the highly valuable information provided by the European agricultural statistics compiled by Eurostat. In this respect, we welcome the roadmap to modernise and improve crucial agricultural statistics especially the Statistics on Agricultural Input and Output (SAIO). As stated in the roadmap, climate change, social change, globalisation and other drivers are changing agriculture. In reaction, the CAP and other related, important EU policies are developing as well. This creates new data needs for agricultural statistics. Moreover, agricultural statistics legislation should adapt to achieve higher cost-efficiency and reduce the burden of data collection. In the context of the discussion about agricultural sustainability and the announcement of the European Green Deal with its related Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies, we consider that accurate and meaningful data is important to develop appropriate measures and actions. As announced in the communication on the Green Deal, the Farm to Fork strategy will cover all stages of the food chain, including upstream industries that supply inputs to farmers. In this respect, we want to highlight the important role that plant breeding plays for sustainable agricultural productivity and competitiveness and, as a consequence, for the entire agri-food chain. As already mentioned in Directive 128/2009 on Sustainable Use of Pesticides, the application of general principles and crop and sector-specific guidelines with respect to integrated pest management by all farmers would support a better targeted use of all available pest control measures, including pesticides. In order to better understand the uptake of measures on Integrated Pest Management, one of which is the use of varieties resistant/tolerant to pests and diseases and of standard/certified seed and planting material as a main way to prevent and/or suppress harmful organisms. Finally, due to the current technological progress, data collection and aggregation on seed production and use (acreage, total production, use of certified seed) must not necessarily result in extra burden. In this respect, alignment of codes and information with the Integrated Tariff (TARIC) of the Taxation and Customs Union is needed. TARIC codes mentioned in Section II, chapters 6, 7, 8, 10 and 12 include the distinction between imports of vegetable products intended for sowing or other purposes. Establishing a consistent type of data request across all relevant products/species would result in a comprehensive, more consistent and comparable data set at EU and global level. In conclusion, Euroseeds therefore considers that including data on seed production in Eurostat would generally support current as well as future policy development and implementation and specifically allow a better understanding of implementation of Integrated Pest Management without unnecessary extra burden due to data collection.
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Response to Farm to Fork Strategy

13 Mar 2020

Euroseeds welcomes the publication of the roadmap for the Farm to Fork strategy and strongly supports the objective of sustainable, future-oriented food system in Europe. As announced in the communication on the Green Deal, this strategy will cover all stages of the food chain, including upstream industries that supply inputs to farmers. From our point of view, this is not fully reflected in the roadmap, especially when defining the consultation and collection of relevant information on the challenges. In this respect, we want to highlight the role that plant breeding plays on agricultural sustainability (and, as a consequence, on the entire agri-food chain). For example, new plant varieties increase and secure crop yields while reducing the use of plant protection products, fertilizers and other inputs; improve plant health and qualities; prolong the shelf life of fresh produce thereby supporting healthier diets and addressing food waste. In this way, plant breeding is working for a sustainable intensification of agriculture to protect and preserve scarce natural resources. A more extensive explanation can be found in the attached document. Euroseeds firmly believes in the role of innovation and technologies in agriculture as the way to provide a more sustainable food production. Companies active in the plant breeding and seed production are amongst the most innovative in Europe and meet the challenging and ever-evolving needs of farmers and the rest of the agri-food chain, including consumer preferences and policy objectives. We also encourage Commission to include relevant European Technology Platforms such as the “ETP Plants for the Future” which could make a very valuable contribution. The Plant ETP e.g. involves plant scientists from public research, farmers and cooperatives as well as plant breeding companies. About the different ways to consult stakeholders, we recognise the usefulness of a dedicated advisory group and would urge a regular exchange with this group which could then serve as a platform to share information and advice on the strategy (both in terms of drafting content and follow-up). About the Civil Dialogue Group on the CAP, we consider that given the limitations in terms of participants, ad-hoc invitations for specific meetings and points of interest could be a solution to a broader stakeholder involvement. Finally, we want to reiterate our commitment to an open dialogue and our sector’s active contribution to achieve the important goals outlined in the strategy.
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Meeting with Stella Kyriakides (Commissioner)

7 Feb 2020 · Discussion on food safety

Response to Deleting references to regulated non-quarantine pests in existing EU legislation on seeds and propagating materials

10 Sept 2019

Euroseeds is the voice of the European seed sector. We therefore represent the interests of those active in research, breeding, production ans marketing of seeds of agricultural, horticultural and ornamental plant species. Today, Euroseeds, with more than 35 national seed associations from EU Member States and beyond, represents several thousand seed businesses, as well as more than 70 direct company members, including from seed related industries. Euroseeds would like to thank Commission for the opportunity to comment on this draft implementing regulation about Plant Health - regulated non quarantine pests on seeds and propagating material. Euroseeds has looked at the proposed regulation in details and would like to make the following comments. - Euroseeds welcomes the identification through EPPO codes in the draft implementing regulation on regulated and quarantine pests and would encourage to also identify pests through EPPO codes in this update of regulation. - In order to reflect current practices, Euroseeds would like to simplify the identification of species and pests by only mentioning the Latin name and not the scientist name behind. - We call for a full alignment in requirements and wording between Plant Health Regulation and Seed Marketing Directives as regards Regulated Non-Quarantine Pests. We would like to thank the European Commission for the consideration they will have on our comments and will be glad to provide any further information if requested. With kind regards Christophe ROUILLARD Technical Manager Plant Health and Seed Trade
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Response to Listing regulated pests, plants, plant products and other objects

10 Sept 2019

Euroseeds is the voice of the European seed sector. We therefore represent the interests of those active in research, breeding, production and marketing of seeds of agricultural, horticultural and ornamental plant species. Today, Euroseeds, with more than 35 national member associations from EU Members States and beyond, represents several thousand seed businesses, as well as more than 70 direct company members, including from seed related industries. Euroseeds would like to thank Commission for the opportunity to comment on this draft implementing regulation about Regulated and Quarantine pests, plants, plant products and other objects. Euroseeds has looked at the proposed regulation in details and would like to make the following comments to be found in attachement. We would like to thank the European Commission for the consideration they will have on our comments and will be glad to provide any further information if requested. With kind regards Christophe ROUILLARD Technical Manager Plant Health and Seed Trade
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Meeting with Anne Bucher (Director-General Health and Food Safety)

20 Mar 2019 · general presentation

Meeting with Vytenis Andriukaitis (Commissioner) and

9 Jul 2018 · Innovation in seeds

Response to Commission Implementing Regulation laying down rules on plant passports

27 Oct 2017

The European Seed Association (ESA) is the voice of the European seed industry, representing the interests of those active in research, breeding, production and marketing of seeds of agricultural, horticultural and ornamental plant species. Today, ESA has more than 35 national member associations from EU Member States and beyond, representing several thousand seed businesses, as well as more than 70 direct company members including from seed related industries. ESA would like to thank the Commission to open for feedback the draft implementing regulation setting out the format specifications of the plant passport for movement within the Union Territory and the plant passport for the introduction into, and movement within a protected zone. We would like to propose the following changes and make the following comments to the proposed draft implementing act: - Article 2: “[…] The flag of the Union shall be in blue (PANTONE ® Reflex Blue) with yellow stars (PANTONE ® Yellow) or in black and white with the rectangle outline in black and the stars in black on white, complying with the specification of the European emblem” Comment: This change would comply with the specification of the European emblem guide and will be easier to implement by the seed industry contrary to print it in black with white stars. - Article 4: “[…] Plant passports issued before 14 December 2019 in accordance with Commission Directive 92/105/EEC shall remain valid until 14 December 2023.” Comment : As seeds for planting may be packed for many years, the European seed industry would like to see plant passports issued before 14 December 2019 to remain valid until 14 December 2023. - Annex: “[…] 7- Where applicable, the two-letter code indicated in norm ISO 3166-1-alpha-2, referred to in point (a) of Article 67 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031, of the Member State(s) of origin. Comment: To our view, professional operators shall keep record of the identification of the professional operator who supplied the trade unit and to whom it was supplied as it is laid in Article 69(3) (a) and (b). Therefore records of these elements of traceability are already provisioned and printing these elements on plant passports would lead to administrative burden for professional operators without providing further interest to final users. As a general comment, we would like to pinpoint our concern with the doubling up of information which is already requested by the seed marketing directives, e.g. name of the species, lot number and so forth. This information shall be printed according to the provisions laid in seed marketing directives. We therefore suggest that the provisions of the implementation act would address that point and specify ‘If no other EU directive already requires such information for the marketing of plant or plant products’. ESA remains at disposal to provide further clarification to that feedback if needed.
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Response to Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on EU seed equivalence for Brazil and Moldova

21 Aug 2017

The European Seed Association (ESA), is the voice of the European seed industry, representing the interests of those active in research, breeding, production and marketing of seeds of agricultural, horticultural and ornamental plant species. Today, ESA has more than 35 national member associations, from EU Members States and beyond, representing several thousand seed businesses, as well as more than 70 direct company members, including from seed related industries. ESA supports the initiative of a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the recognition of equivalence of Brazilian provisions with regard to certification of fodder plant and cereal seed and Moldovan provisions with regard to certification of cereal, oil and fibre and vegetable seed, amending Council Decision 2003/17/EC of 16 December 2002 on the equivalence of field inspections carried out in third countries on seed-producing crops and on the equivalence of seed produced in third countries. In general, ESA supports any action to contribute to a : - fair and proportionate regulation of the European seed sector - freedom of choice for customers (farmers, growers, industry, consumers) in supplying seeds as a result of innovative, diverse technologies and production methods - effective protection of intellectual property rights relating to plants and seeds.
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Meeting with Vytenis Andriukaitis (Commissioner) and

27 Jun 2016 · New breeding techniques, innovation in seeds