Euroseeds 2022 Congress: 'Reconciling productivity and sustainability through innovations'

With more than 1250 participants from over 50 countries around the world, 1000 traders and 50 exhibitors, this year’s annual meeting in Berlin, Germany confirmed once more the importance of the Euroseeds event for the European and international seed sector.

An overview of the welcome desk and the main gadgets of the Congress

During the meetings of the specific crop sections, participants got the latest updates and detailed information on many horizontal and crop-specific issues, such as the Sustainable Use Regulation and the sensitive areas, Plant breeding innovation and related technologies, EU protein plan, Digital Sequence Information and more.

Speakers shared different country perspectives concerning future opportunities for new breeding techniques in a panel discussion during the Maize and Sorghum section meeting. Another panel discussion was held during the Cereals and Pulses section meeting, where speakers highlighted potential technical solutions for the implementation of the EU protein plan.

Christian Janze, Claudius Marondedze, Garlich von Essen

Stefan Streng, Szonja Csörgõ, Birger Eriksen

From left to right: Petra Jorasch, Stefan Streng, Nigel Halford, Nigel Moore, Diego Risso, Szonja Csörgõ, Birger Eriksen

From left to right: Francesco Mattina, Martin van der Voort, Claudius Marondedze

During the open part of the Assembly General, participants had a chance to assist to an inspiring and insightful high-level panel debate on how to reconcile food security and sustainability through innovations. Chikelu Mba, Team Leader, Seeds and Plant Genetic Resources at FAO (FAO), Juozas Olekas (MEP, Member of the DG AGRI (European Parliament), Claire Bury, Deputy Director-General DG SANTE (European Commission), Kirsten Luxbacher, Agricultural Attaché (United States Embassy to Germany) and Nigel Moore (KWS Group) joined the discussion.

Ms. Bury highlighted that there is a clear evidence that NGTs have a potential to support sustainability and SMEs should have access to it, among the other breeding tools. Moreover, she shared that a legislative proposal on NGTs is expected during the second quarter of 2023. Euroseeds welcomes the European Commission’s legislative proposal on NGTs, providing fair access to breeding technologies and innovation for coping with sustainability targets and closing the gap with food insecurity.

From left to right: Claire Bury, Juozas Olekas, Chikelu Mba, Marcel Bruins, Kirsten Luxbacher, Nigel Moore

Marcel Bruins, Kirsten Luxbacher, Nigel Moore

Large trade and exhibition facilities provided ample space and a buzzing atmosphere for professional exchange and interaction of participants, and exposure for companies showcasing the latest developments in technical equipment, mechanical components, processing technologies and plant breeding software.

Moreover, the Euroseeds photo booth provided some good entertainment for attendees who wanted to take a souvenir from the congress and showcased several materials from the EU-funded projects Euroseeds is involved in: BRESOV, INVITE and GeneBEcon.

Check out the #Euroseeds2022 Twitter Moment to see some highlights of the presentations and discussions.

All the presentations are available for Euroseeds Members on the Members Area.

View the wrap-up video with the best moments from the congress:

We are looking forward to meeting you at #Euroseeds2023 Congress from 16 to 18 October in Malta!

Pictures from the Euroseeds Congress 2022 are available in the congress website:

Euroseeds Congress website