SPEAK UPFOR SEEDS !

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WILL EUROPETURN ITS BACKON SEED INNOVATION?

The combined pressures of global population growth, scarcer land resources and climate change will place

increased demands on the productive potential of existing farmland. Land-use efficiency will become one of the

main drivers for sustainable agricultural and food production systems. New, higher-yielding plant varieties will be

required, alongside new seed innovations such as drought or salt tolerant crops, to help keep the existing and

bring new land currently considered unfit for farming in productive agricultural use.

Urbanisation will continue at an accelerated pace and by 2050, about 70% of the world’s population will

be urban. Urban lifestyles will generate a faster pace of change and greater consumer expectations on the

availability and choice of products, services and activities. People will want access to a diverse choice of

healthy food products and leisure activities and the ‘do-it-yourself’ culture will encourage

end-consumers to grow some of their own food in urban areas. Although this will remain marginal in the context

of the global food security challenge, such activities will require specific plant varieties capable of growing in

these unique environments.

As cities grow bigger, agricultural land will be lost to urban and industrial development, transport infrastructure,

residential housing and suburban centres. These losses are inevitable given the lower economic returns to

farm capital and labour compared to non-agricultural land uses. A competitive, innovative and diverse seed sector will be a decisive partner to support rural competitiveness and

employment. Plant breeding stations and seed factories, as well as all connected services are important

wealth creators in rural areas, attracting highly skilled workers, investments and economic growth and offering

international exposure to rural areas.

Further seed innovation will provide the base for the continued development, production and use of more

bio-based products and processes for a greener European economy. The future

bio-economy can provide a major socioeconomic contribution and its benefits will improve public health

environmental sustainability and the productivity of industrial processes. The bio-economy’s success will,

however, strongly depend on continued and targeted plant science research and the development of

new seed innovations that provide the genetic foundation for new business models.

Europe’s seed sector is determined to contribute its scientific excellence and long-standing practical expertise

to help achieve the European Union’s policy objectives of a secure and affordable supply of healthy, high quality

food, of sustainable farming and of a greener, bio-based economy. We want to do still more; and we want to do

even better. To do so, we require modern, forward looking policies and rules geared towards promoting and

strengthening seed innovation. We are calling upon Europe’s decision makers to join us in our quest:

SPEAK UP FOR TOMORROW’S PLANT BREEDING INNOVATION. SPEAK UP FOR SEEDS TODAY!

OUR VISION

OUR CALL

Seed innovation must be at the heart of the food chain, driving growth in Europe’s rural areas, foster sustainable nutrition, and improve quality of life in a greener economy

European landscapes have been shaped by centuries of agricultural innovation and

change. When travelling across Europe, the contribution of plant breeding can be seen all

the time: from the bright yellow fields of oilseed rape in April, to the towering fields of maize

and sunflower soaking in the summer sun or the wheat fields waiting to be harvested in July.

The starting point of every single one of those plants, in every single one of those fields, is a seed.Every seed is packed with potential. It can deliver healthier foods, contribute to sustainable

production methods, provide greener living environments or supply more bio-based products

to our economy. With food security, climate change and sustainable development high on

the agenda, our increasing expectation of what that seed should deliver, not only for farmers

and consumers, but for society at large, also requires a renewed recognition of the societal

value of seed. In this context, the role of Europe’s commercial seed sector, driven by strong

investment in research and innovation, is crucial for the future of agriculture, food production

and the bio-economy.

By harnessing the full potential of plants, a strong and innovative European seed sector is

essential to underpin a resilient, diverse, sustainable, and competitive farming and food chain,

capable of responding to societal challenges and anticipating future needs.

To do so, the sector requires a consistent, forward looking policy support and a regulatory

framework fit for purpose and geared towards promoting innovation. Many of these policies

and regulations are set at European level and many of them will be reviewed, adapted and

modernised in the coming years. These decisions will have a decisive impact on Europe’s

ability to deliver its contribution to food security and sustainable farming as well as other

overarching policy objectives.

SEED INNOVATION TODAY SHAPES THE FOOD SUPPLY OF TOMORROW.

Your decisions on the future of Europe’s seed sector are crucial to promote seed innovation at the heart of the food chain, to drive growth in European rural areas, to foster sustainable nutrition and

to improve quality of life in a greener economy.

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The origins of seed innovation stretch back thousands of years to the first

farmers who selected the best plants in one year to provide the best seed

for their next crop.

EVOLUTION OF PLANT BREEDING

genomic research

genetic engeneering

tissue culture

hybrid breeding

crossbreeding

Smart breeding

10,000 BC

emmer wheat, einkorn wheat

flax, wheat

maize, millet

rye cabbage sugar beet Mendel’s Laws

selection breeding

5,000 BC 4,000 BC 7,000 BC 1,000 AD 1,750 1,866 1,900 1,930 1,960 mid 1,990ies end of 1,990ies

“THE FIRST SEED COMPANIES

WERE ESTABLISHED IN EUROPE”

INNOVATING FOR DIVERSITY & CHOICE INNOVATIVE BY TRADITION, COLLABORATIVE BY NATURE

In the mid-19th century, Europe became the birthplace of modern plant

breeding when Gregor Mendel discovered the law of genetic inheritance

in plants. Meanwhile, the first seed companies were established in Europe

between the 18th century and the mid-20th century. Many of these evolved

out of agricultural cooperatives or were founded by farmers specialising in

seed selection and production.

Plant breeding evolution developed consistently in the last century thanks

to scientific progress, making it possible to better respond to societal

needs. Adapting to societal needs and changing climate conditions are

the key points for the evolution of plant breeding along the years.

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A SECTOR DRIVEN BY DIVERSITY

RESPONSIBLE ANDCOLLABORATIVE INNOVATION

Today, the scientific approach to professional plant breeding, with

very high levels of investment in R&D and underpinned by an effective

intellectual property system, has triggered an unprecedented

acceleration of what would have taken farmers selecting from their own

harvest centuries to achieve. It has also allowed new crops from outside

Europe, such as potatoes, maize and oilseed rape, to be adapted to

European growing conditions. And it has enabled a better, quicker and

more efficient use of genetic resources, supported by collaborative

efforts to conserve and maintain seed collections, ensuring their qualities

endure and are passed on to future generations. Its technological and

investment capacities have positioned Europe as a world leader in plant

breeding and seed production, and

the EU as an acknowledged centre of excellence in plant science and genetics.

To achieve this, industry cooperation with research institutes, universities

and gene banks is essential to pool resources for larger scale innovation

and to address the needs of emerging or smaller markets.

The European seed sector comprises a broad range of companies involved in

research, plant breeding, production, multiplication, processing and marketing of seeds.

These businesses are diverse in their structure, from micro-enterprises and family-owned

businesses to large companies listed on the stock exchange.

Regardless of their size, individual companies, active in one or more crop species, are

constantly innovating to bring high quality seed of new varieties to market. The seed sector’s

ability to respond to new demands is built on innovation and diversity. In recent years, these

demands have been evolving at a rapid pace, becoming more and more complex.

19501990

2020Farmer seed expectations:- yield- food security

Farmer and consumer seed expectations:- yield- food security

- choice- quality

Farmer, consumer and societal seed expectations:- yield- food security- choice- quality

- health- sustainable farming- bioeconomy

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SUPPLYING PEOPLE & MARKETS

The rich diversity of genetic resources is the essential basis for seed innovation. By combining and recombining available genetic resources - whether from existing varieties, gene banks or wild relatives - plant breeders bring new genetic diversity to the market, with benefits for all different types of agriculture, the food chain and the end-consumer.

FOOD, FEED, FUEL, FIBRE AND FUN:SUPPLYING PRODUCTS FOR A DIVERSITY OF USES

BAROLEX -NUTRIFIBRE - TALL FESCUE GRASS● BREEDING TIME: 15 years

● FUNCTION: Feed

● TRAITS OF INTEREST: Increases the feed value in fibrous grass plants while keeping optimal palatability.

● USER BENEFITS: Massive forage with high energy and protein to

produce more milk with high fat and protein levels.

WAXYMA - BETA BARLEY● BREEDING TIME: 15 years

● FUNCTION: Food

● TRAITS OF INTEREST: High beta-glucan content.

● USER BENEFITS: Beta-Glucan of barley reduces blood cholesterol level and post-prandial glycaemic responses as a part of a healthy nutrition.

TOUCH ME - PRIMULA

● BREEDING TIME: 10 years

● FUNCTION: Fun

● TRAITS OF INTEREST: Does not contain primide.

● USER BENEFITS: Everybody can touch it: Many people are

allergic to primine when they touch flowers. Touch me is primine free.

ARETHA - FLAX● BREEDING TIME: 15 years

● FUNCTION: Fibre

● TRAITS OF INTEREST: Fibre yield per hectare better quality.

● USER BENEFITS: Used in high quality garments

for knitting or weaving.

ATLETAS - CORN● BREEDING TIME: 7 years

● FUNCTION: Fuel/Energy

● TRAITS OF INTEREST: Very high yield.

● USER BENEFITS: Very high yield for max methane yield/hectare.

It stays green for flexibility in harvesting.

SALANOVA GAUGIN - LETTUCE● BREEDING TIME: 7 years

● FUNCTION: Food● TRAITS OF INTEREST: Fresh convenience salad.● USER BENEFITS:

Easy-to-prepare salad: One cut, ready. Less waste.

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QUALITY PRODUCTS & HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

FOOD SECURITY & POPULATION

GROWTH

SEEDS FOR SOCIETY CLIMATE

CHANGE & SUSTAINABLE

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

The genetic make-up of plants and the physical quality of seed together

provide the essential platform for successful crop production. By supplying

high quality seed from improved plant varieties, the European seed sector

has a key role to play in addressing the historic challenges facing European

and global society: delivering food security at affordable prices, meeting

increasing demands for quality products, and adapting to climate change

and new growing conditions.

SEEDS FOR SOCIETY

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FOOD SECURITYMEETING THE DEMANDS OF A

GROWING WORLD POPULATION

THE CHALLENGEAccording to reports from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organisation

(WHO), the current world population of 7 billion is predicted to increase to more than 9 billion and could even

reach 10-11 billion in 2050. According to FAO, this population growth, in particular in developing

countries, will require a 70% increase in food and agricultural production. As a major global food producer,

European agriculture is central to address this challenge.

THE RESPONSESecuring reliable harvests is key to our future food security. Increasing crop yields

is a prerequisite for feeding the world population and responding to other demands on agricultural production

for feed, fuel, fibre and fun at the same time. It is also a crucial factor to safeguard farming’s competitiveness.

Yield remains one of the major characteristics for breeders and farmers when selecting improved plant varieties.

In recent decades, almost all of the increase in crop production per hectare has come from seed innovation. In addition to improvements in physical yield, modern plant varieties offer a wide range of

beneficial characteristics such as plant stem strength and resistance to pests and diseases, all of which are vital

to secure yields. Furthermore, innovation has greatly contributed to improve seed germination and health, and

companies have developed rigorous quality control checks before placing seed on the market.

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QUALITY PRODUCTS MEETING THE DEMANDS FOR HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES

THE CHALLENGENot only do eating habits and consumer preferences evolve over time, between regions and between cultures,

the need to promote and develop healthier foods, diets and lifestyles is also of principal

societal importance: with almost 10% of the total population in OECD countries expected to be ‘very old’ by

2050, Europe as well will face major pressures on its public finances arising from rising health care spending.

THE RESPONSEImproved plant varieties can be selected to bring specific added value to the end-consumer.

By increasing or decreasing the content of certain ingredients in plants, many seed inovations can help

fight obesity, allergies, cholesterol, diabetes and other chronic diseases.

With oilseed rape and sunflower, for instance, changing the fatty acid composition through plant breeding

creates healthier vegetable oils. Breeders have also made an enormous contribution to increasing the availability

of food products throughout the year, for example by extending the seasonality of healthy fresh fruit and

vegetables. Seed innovation is constantly inspiring chefs, retailers and consumers by bringing novel products to

the market, with breakthroughs in consumer products such as ‘baby carrots’, which are ideal as healthy and fun

snacks for children. Such innovations provide excellent ways to promote healthier eating habits and lifestyles.

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THE RESPONSEScience-based approaches in plant breeding and seed

production, supported by excellent research, field trials and

evaluations, give farmers access to the best seed innovations

that play a major role in helping them to adapt to climate

change.

Plant breeding is the area of human activity most likely to

have a positive impact on sustainable crop production in the

long term. Priorities for seed innovation respond to increasing

pressures on agricultural production, for example through

improved tolerance to extreme weather conditions or resistance to existing

and new pest and disease pressures. Significant research is

also carried out to improve the nutrient and water use efficiency

of new varieties, a key response to the long-term challenge of

sustainable agricultural production and resource efficiency.

ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE

MEETING THE DEMANDS FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL

PRODUCTION

THE CHALLENGEClimate change and

environmental stresses are increasing

and affect agriculture through higher average temperatures,

rising carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, and precipitation

changes, with greater extremes of conditions such as

prolonged drought or flooding that result in increased weeds,

newly emerging pest and growing disease pressures.

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European Seed Association23, Rue du Luxembourg

1000 Brussels, Belgium

Phone: +32 2 743 28 60

www.euroseeds.eu