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ASTA: New global seed trade standard to save time, money
 
By EMMA HOPKINS
Indiana Correspondent
 
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The American Seed Trade Assoc. (ASTA) is praising a recently passed International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) for seed, which should save time and money in seed trade, as well as make it a more predictable and certain process.
 
Ric Dunkle, senior director for seed health and trade at the ASTA, said the standard will provide guidance to help national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) establish phytosanitary requirements for seeds that are technically justified and provide a mechanism to harmonize phytosanitary measures – such  as seed test methods, treatments andinspection procedures – among NPPOs around the world.
 
“Currently, many countries impose phytosanitary requirements on seed consignments for many pests and pathogens that are not technically justified,” he said. “A common problem is when seed is not a pathway for the introduction and spread of many pathogens and diseases, yet phytosanitary measures for seed are required.”
 
There have always been consequences associated with countries having different phytosanitary standards for seed import, which is why ASTA has been advocating for a seed ISPM for nearly 20 years.
 
The need for such a standard has become more apparent as many NPPOs across the globe have published new, restrictive, non-science-based phytosanitary import requirements for seed. This can become costly for seed companies.
 
“When seed testing methods are not harmonized, if a country decides to retest at the incoming port of entry using a different test method from the one that was used as a basis for issuing the phytosanitary certificate (this is a common practice), chances are high that the consignment may test positive and therefore be rejected,” Dunkle said. “This usually turns out to be a problem with the test method and not a true pest detection.”
 
Not only can this patchwork of testing methods cause delays in getting seeds cleared in time for planting windows, but it can result in seed shipment rejections for pests that are not technically justified. Different standards can even affect seed potency.
 
“If the seed has been treated but the country of import requires a different rate of application, the seed would have to be treated again at the expense of the company,” Dunkle said. “Certain treatments, such as phosphine or methyl bromide fumigation, can also reduce seed quality and germination, so it is important to require seed phytosanitary treatments only when necessary.”
 
Seed treatments can also interfere with seed testing methods. For instance, if seed has been treated, the testing method will not accurately provide a result unless the method has been developed and evaluated specifically for seed that has already been treated.
 
A year to 18 months of phase-in time will be required to allow NPPOs in all countries to prepare for the new standards. This period began on April 6 when the unified standard was agreed upon in Korea at the International Plant Protection Convention. Dunkle said some countries will need more time than others to adjust to the new standard.
 
“Some countries may have to change  their national legislation, some mayhave to develop new or additional regulations; others may have to increase their phytosanitary capacity,” he explained. “During this phase-in period, national and international workshops and training sessions will be organized and conducted to help facilitate this process, and the seed industry, through ASTA, ISF and other national and regional seed associations, will be partnering in this effort.”
 
ASTA President and CEO Andrew LaVigne said the standards are a much needed improvement to the global seed industry.
 
“Adoption of the international seed standard is a major step forward for the global seed industry,” he noted. “We look forward to working with our national seed industry counterparts to define mutual priorities and to ensure the wide adoption of the standard at the international level.” 
4/27/2017