Bassersdorf, Switzerland
August 25, 2015
The recently introduced category of Industry Member aims to further engage the seed industry, streamline communication and in the process, expand the Association’s activities.
“It is an honor to see that two of the main pillars of the seed industry are committed to support the Association” says Beni Kaufman, ISTA’s secretary general. “As the name reflects, this category is meant to all members of the industry: large corporations, small companies and commercial laboratories alike” adds Kaufman.
From the seed company point of view, a new and important benefit in taking on the Industry Membership is partaking in a new body: the Industry Advisory Group.
This forum will be made of up to 15 ISTA members and will be charged with the task of representing the industry’s interest in the Association.
“At DuPont Pioneer, we see this new membership category as an opportunity to move International Seed Trade testing toward standardization - whether physiological, genetic and trait purity, or physical properties - which is important to maintain the integrity of the global seed trade”, said Jeremy Bergstrom, DuPont Pioneer global quality testing manager.
“Collaboration is very important to Dow AgroSciences, and this forum is a way to partner with the association and industry to focus on the seed quality needed by customers,” says Janice Hotz, Director of Quality, Dow AgroSciences. “Improved technical testing methods will benefit farmers as they do the essential work of feeding a growing population”.
One seat on the Industry Advisory Group is reserved for a representative of the International Seed Federation (ISF), and the first eight Industry Members will automatically have a place on the group after ISTA executive committee approval. “I believe further industry collaboration/communication using these industry memberships as a platform help influence seed testing rules and expedite the acceptance of newer, more precise seed testing technologies”, declares Bergstrom.
The ability of ISTA to promote uniformity and standardization in seed testing is a function of ISTA’s recognition. Engaging as an Industry Member is an endorsement, showing the industry’s support to the Association and what it stands for.