Type of Organization

intergovernmental

OECD Seed Schemes

Participating countries

Mission

The OECD Seed Schemes provide an international framework for the varietal certification of agricultural seed moving in international trade. The Schemes were established in 1958 driven by a combination of factors including a fast growing seed trade, regulatory harmonisation in Europe, the development of off season production, the seed breeding and production potential of large exporting countries in America (North and South) and Europe, and the support of private industry. Membership of the Schemes is voluntary and participation varies. There are eight agricultural Seed Schemes.

Objectives

• to encourage the production and use of “quality-guaranteed” seed in participating countries. The Schemes authorise the use of labels and certificates for seed produced and processed for international trade according to agreed principles ensuring varietal identity and purity.
• to facilitate the import and export of seed, by the removal of technical barriers to trade by assuring identification and origin through internationally recognised labels (“passports”) for trade. They also lay down guidelines for seed multiplication abroad, as well as for the delegation of some control activities to the private sector (“authorisation”). The quantity of seed certified through the OECD Schemes has grown rapidly in recent years and now exceeds 1 million tonnes.

How do the Seed Schemes operate

The success of international certification depends upon close co-operation between maintainers, seed producers, traders and the designated authority (appointed by the government) in each participating country. Frequent meetings allow for a multi-stakeholder dialogue to exchange information, discuss case studies, revise rules and update the Schemes. A wide range of international and non-governmental organisations as well as and seed industry networks participate actively in the Schemes.

Benefits of the Schemes

• To facilitate international trade by using harmonised certification procedures, crop inspection techniques and use of control plots. The varietal purity standards for the appropriate species are also agreed and standardised by all member states.
• To provide a framework to develop seed production with other countries or companies.
• To participate in the elaboration of international rules for seed certification.
• To develop collaboration between the public and private sectors.
• To benefit from regular exchanges of information with other national certification agencies and Observer organisations.

The Annual List of Varieties eligible for OECD certification includes varieties which are officially recognized as distinct, uniform and stable, and possess an acceptable value in one or more participating country. The List contains the seed varieties internationally traded using the OECD seed Schemes. The number of varieties included has grown steadily over the last thirty years.

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Type of Organization

Intergovernmental

Membership

List of UPOV members  / Situation in UPOV

What is UPOV?

The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) is an intergovernmental organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. UPOV was established in 1961 by the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (the "UPOV Convention").

The mission of UPOV is to provide and promote an effective system of plant variety protection, with the aim of encouraging the development of new varieties of plants, for the benefit of society.

The UPOV Convention provides the basis for members to encourage plant breeding by granting breeders of new plant varieties an intellectual property right: the breeder’s right.

What does UPOV do?

UPOV’s mission is to provide and promote an effective system of plant variety protection, with the aim of encouraging the development of new varieties of plants, for the benefit of society. The main objectives of UPOV are, in accordance with the UPOV Convention, to:

• provide and develop the legal, administrative and technical basis for international cooperation in plant variety protection;
• assist States and organizations in the development of legislation and the implementation of an effective plant variety protection system; and
• enhance public awareness and understanding of the UPOV system of plant variety protection.

What are the benefits of plant variety protection and UPOV membership?

The UPOV Report on the Impact of Plant Variety Protection demonstrated that in order to enjoy the full benefits which plant variety protection is able to generate, both implementation of the UPOV Convention and membership of UPOV are important. The introduction of the UPOV system of plant variety protection and UPOV membership were found to be associated with:

(a) increased breeding activities,

(b) greater availability of improved varieties,

(c) increased number of new varieties,

(d) diversification of types of breeders (e.g. private breeders, researchers),

(e) increased number of foreign new varieties,

(f) encouraging the development of a new industry competitiveness on foreign markets, and

(g) improved access to foreign plant varieties and enhanced domestic breeding programs.

In order to become a UPOV member the advice of the UPOV Council in respect of the conformity of the law of a future member with the provisions of the UPOV Convention is required. This procedure leads, in itself, to a high degree of harmony in those laws, thus facilitating cooperation between members in the implementation of the system.

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What is ISF?

ISF is a non-governmental, non-profit making organization that represents the interests of national seed associations and seed companies at a global level. Established in 1924, the International Seed Federation has more than 7500 members in 70 countries today. Working in partnership with organizations responsible for international treaties, conventions and agreements and those that shape policies that impact the seed industry, ISF ensures that the seed industry speaks with one voice.

Vision & Mission

• Vision: “A world where the best quality seed is accessible to all, supporting sustainable agriculture and food security.”
• Mission: “To create the best environment for the global movement of seed and promote plant breeding and innovation in seed.”

Objectives

ISF’s strategic objectives are set out in its 5-year Strategic Plan, and relate to the core areas of its work.

1. Innovation

To move towards more consistent policies for products developed through the latest plant breeding methods to enable their use and to ensure uninterrupted trade.

2. Movement of Seed & Quality Seed

• To promote the harmonization of technically and scientifically justified frameworks for phytosanitary measures and to prevent them becoming non-tariff trade barriers.
• To promote the harmonization of regulations governing seed applied technologies at global and regional levels.
• To promote the use of seed certification schemes and seed quality assurance systems.

3. Intellectual Property Rights

• To facilitate cooperation between countries in order to simplify procedures for plant variety protection at an international level.
• To support members in implementing effective intellectual property rights in their countries.
• To promote the International Treaty as the preferred tool to administer Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA), making the process more business-oriented and user-friendly.

4. Biodiversity

• To promote the International Treaty as the preferred tool to administer Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA), making the process more business-oriented and user-friendly.

5. Engagement

• To engage with our members to strengthen cooperation so that the seed industry speaks with one voice.
• To engage with all stakeholders in the value chain to foster cooperation.
• To raise awareness and build understanding of the seed industry and the benefits it brings to a global society. 

What does ISF do?

• ISF facilitates the free movement of seed within a framework of fair and science-based regulations, whilst serving the interests of farmers, growers, industry and consumers.
• ISF promotes the establishment and protection of intellectual property rights for seeds, plant varieties and associated technologies.
• ISF publishes rules for trading seed and licensing technology to clarify and standardize contractual relations between buyers and sellers at an international level.
• ISF provides for the settlement of disputes through mediation, conciliation and/or arbitration.
• ISF fosters cooperation and collaboration through its calendar of events, enabling seed industry stakeholders to identify issues, stimulate strategic thinking and accelerate the adoption of common positions.
• ISF works in partnership with organizations responsible for international treaties, conventions and agreements and those that shape the policies affecting the global seed industry.

For more information, please visit our website at www.worldseed.org.