Euroseeds has joined forces with 12 leading organizations to tackle illegal seed practices worldwide through a historic memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed today at the ISF World Seed Congress 2024.
The organizations involved include the International Seed Federation (ISF), African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA), Asia and Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA), Seed Association of the Americas (SAA), Anti-Infringement Bureau for Intellectual Property Rights on Plant Material (AIB), Breeders Trust, CIOPORA, CropLife International, Gestión de Licencias Vegetales (GESLIVE), SICASOV, Seed Innovation Protection Alliance (SIPA), and Seeds Innovation and Protection Initiative (SIPI).
Through this MoU, the coalition of associations seeks to drive innovation in the agricultural and horticultural sectors by supporting legal practices that foster value creation and address global challenges like climate change and pest resistance. A recent ISF survey reveals that these practices are widespread, affecting up to 50% of the market in some regions and leading to severe economic and agricultural consequences. Illegal seed practices include counterfeit seeds, fraudulent labelling, intellectual property infringements, and theft of proprietary material.
All the signatories associations are committed to ensuring that legal seed practices are upheld, securing the future of agriculture and food security globally.
