International Seed Federation

Ukrainian Seed Partnership Association gives the priorities to membership in the prestigious international institutions. Experts believe that it will cause sector reformation according to European standards, exchange experience in seed and seedling sectors, access domestic producers to the world market. Recently Ukrainian Seed Company has received an invitation to become an observer in the International Seed Federation (ISF) and in May 30 it was presented at the World Congress of ISF, which took place in Belfast (Northern Ireland).

Seeds - is the foundation of agriculture, so the seed industry plays a vital role for sustainable development and prosperity of humanity.

Nowadays except its traditional role – food production – seed industry is engaged in active development and introduction of new technologies, it generates and embodies ideas in alternative using of plants in pharmaceutical industry as an alternative energy source, the basis for biomaterials. It is traditionally characterized as a high competitive industry that provides effective trade, supplies farmers with high productive varieties, which are adopted to different climatic conditions and are able to satisfy any demands of customers. For effective solving of all problems connected with globalization, ecology, health protection, activity of some regions, modern technological achievements, an authoritative forum is necessary, which can overcome the mentioned hardships, take decisions, represent and defend its interests on the world level. International Seed Federation is such a forum. ISF is a noncommercial and non-political organization with a nearly century-old history. It represents the main interests of seed industry on the international level through the dialogue with public and private organizations that are serious participants at the international seed market, coordinates international seed movement, promotes (supports) the development of new technologies and supplies the members of the Federation with competent information. ISF plays an important (vital) role in consolidation of cooperation of national and regional seed associations, takes under control the process of adopting international contracts, conventions and agreements, which form the policy in the seed industry.

      As it is known, ISF was created in 2002 as a result of combining of two authoritative organizations – International Seed Federation and International Association of breeders (selectionists) in protection of plant varieties (ASSINSEL).

   The first International Seed congress, where its participants declared about creation of International Seed Federation, took place in 1924 in London. The next congress started establishing of strong connections in seed industry, as a result the Rules of international sale of sowing seeds were first approved in 1929. During the Second world war the process of consolidation of participants at the seed market was stopped, but already in 1950 at Paris congress the activity of Federation was restored. From the very beginning of its activity FIS declared the importance of technological development in seed industry and defense of the breeders’ rights in getting license fees for the sale of new seed varieties.

    The second participant - International Association of breeders (selectionists) in protection of plant varieties was created in 1938. Its main (goal) purpose became to adopt International convention in protection of new plant varieties, which was approved in 1961. In the mid 70-s significant changes took place in seed and selection industry, which required consolidation of efforts and close cooperation of both seed producers and breeders. That is when the question of expediency in combining the two organizations appeared. The first, but unsuccessful attempt to combine FIS and ASSINSEL, was made in 1986. However, the official combining and creation of ISF was declared only in 16 years. It took place at the annual congress in 2002 in Chicago.

   ISF represents seed industry in intergovernmental organizations:

·        Organization of economical cooperation and development (OECD);

·        International union in protection of new plant varieties (UPO);

·        International convention in protection of plants (ISTA);

·        Industrial and agricultural organization UNO (FAO);

·        Convention about biological diversity (CBD);

·        World Intellectual property organization (WIPO);

and in other organizations that have their influence on international seed movement. ISF protects the interests of its members, including improvement of international trade conditions, defense of the intellectual property rights, etc.

    International Seed Federation conducts annual congresses, which bring together up to 1500 seed producers. During these congresses their participants exchange information concerning the latest events at the seed market and in selection industry, solve common problems, discuss strategically important (vital) questions and take joint decisions. The congress is also the platform for the meetings of clients and suppliers, discussions of business contracts, exchange of ideas in actual questions.
ISF sets trade rules that clarify and standardize contractual relations between contractors at the international level, and procedural rules for dispute settlement on trade and intellectual property. One of the important activities of the Federation is to exchange information, which has three main components - internal, external and interactive. The first provides communication between members and provides a permanent publishing reports of congresses, quarterly bulletins, statistical information from commercial seed and so on. External relations are reflected in the publication of brochures and seed selection for the entire agricultural sector. Constant communication with the seed industry professionals, academics, consumers and ordinary citizens takes place on Federation website http://www.worldseed.org. 

  Organization composed of national associations representing companies and enterprises of seed industry, active participants commercial seed and plant breeding, affiliates and observers.

National Association can be an observer for two years before applying for membership. The company obtains observer status for one year.