CPSBB, represented by Mr. Petar KAZAKOV, participated in the ISF World Seed Congress, organcized by the International Seed Federation (ISF) in Nice, France, from 3 to 5 June 2019.

The International Seed Federation (ISF) is the largest organization that unites biotechnology, vegetable breeding, and seed producing companies all over the world. It is widely regarded as the voice of the global seed industry.

The Congress of the International Seed Federation (ISF) is the leading ISF event, held once a year and is attended by the largest companies in the field of plant biotechnology and seed production, represented by directors, executive officers, and decision-makers in the global seed and plant biotechnology industry. The ISF Congress in Nice was attended by more than 1700 delegates representing 63 countries from all over the world, mainly CEOs of the largest and leading organizations in the global agrarian industry such as Bayer, Syngenta, BASF, Corteva, KWS and more.

During the meeting of the ISF Board of Directors, held in Nice, CPSBB was accepted as member of the ISF. The ISF Congress provides its international members, including CPSBB, with the opportunity to meet annually to share industry knowledge, reflect on research and technological development, negotiate trade agreements, and develop new and existing industrial networks. Members are offered a unique opportunity to promote products and services to a valuable audience of key decision-makers in the Global Industry in particular how the seed sector must sustain innovation in a socially accepted manner in order to respond to current global food challenges.

The International Seed Federation (ISF) drew attention to the sector’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Although efforts that contribute to the SDGs are not new to the seed sector, it is a recent realization to make the SDGs more well-known within the seed sector and to bring recognition within international organizations regarding the sector’s contributions.

The seed sector contributes to a majority of the 17 SDGs adopted by the United Nations, such as: no poverty; zero hunger; good health and well-being; decent work and economic growth; industry, innovation and infrastructure; responsible consumption and production; climate action; life on land; and partnerships for the goals.

Business leaders representing a diverse mix of seed companies echoed the sentiment during an industry panel. From small and medium enterprises to family-owned businesses, to international companies, all industry representatives emphasized the need to access the latest breeding methods to answer the challenge of feeding the world. This requires consistency and alignment on a global level regarding policies governing new breeding techniques.

During the ISF World Seed Congress, the CPSBB representative Mr. Petar Kazakov participated in all major events, communicated the CPSBB activities to more than 100 companies by direct personal contacts and to 1000 delegates by the electronic communication system of the Congress. The following companies expressed particular interest in CPSBB: Verisem (Italy), represented by its CEO Philippe ROUSSEAU; Corteva Agriscience (USA), represented by the Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Mr. Neil GUTERSON; Mantian seeds Co represented by Isabelle NIE – Export Manager; Durga seed Farm, represented by Mr. Karan MAHAJAN; Oneking seed CO, represented by Ms. Xuemeng DONG; Takada seed CO. Ltd. (Japan), represented by Mr.Dawiki YAWAMOTO; Vegenov BBV (France), represented by Mr. Serge MABO; Doriane SAS (France), represented by ; Mr. Tristan DOMINIL; Tekan Seed Co. Ltd. (Turkey), represented by Mr. Kadirhan TEKAN; Societe Saade Agricole (Lebanon), represented by Mrs. Christina SAADE; KWS AG (Germany), represented by Mrs. Constanze HOLZFUß, Project Manager Seed Treatment Solutions Process and Asset Management Corn & Oilcrops Europe/Asia; Agridæus S.R.L. (Italy), represented by its CEO Mr. Paolo TURCONI.