Page 110 - Breeding and regulatory opportunities, Renaud

Chapter 3

An overview of the comparative progress that each jurisdiction has achieved in

regards to instrument development as of the end of 2013 is outlined in Table 3.7.

Table 3.7 Instruments inluencing the success of achieving 100% organic seed usage, and their status in
the US, EU & Mexico1 (2013).

Instruments inluencing organic seed Stakeholders’

sector development
perception of level of US
EU Mexico
inluence

National (or regional) Organic Standard High   
Organic Seed Regulation
High   

Interpretive Seed Regulatory Guidelines High   --

Organic Seed Database
High In process  --

Deadline for Compliance
High --
 --
Derogation or Exception Process
Medium --  --

Expert Groups
Medium --  --

Annual National Reports
Medium --  --

Phytosanitary Restrictions
Medium NA NA 
Organic Seed Production Activities Med-High   --

Organic Plant Breeding Program Medium   --

Compulsory Variety Registration Process
Low
NA
 NA

Sources: Content analysis of stakeholder interviews (n=96) and document analysis and participant ob-

servation (2007-2013).

Notes:

 instrument is in force in particular region; In process – instrument is under development in partic-
ular region; -- instrument is not yet in process in particular region; NA – instrument does not apply

to particular region
1 Mexico organic regulations published October 29, 2013 with scheduled enforcement April 29, 2014.

3.5 Conclusions

Developing an organic seed market is an iterative process that requires time.

Clear governance of the processes that lead towards regulatory closure has

the potential to hasten the transition rate and increase the chances of success.

Trade-distorting practices and procedures that have emerged in and between

the regulatory regimes addressed in this article are weakening the prospects

of achieving the goal of 100% organic seed usage in the organic sector’s

major markets. Stakeholders in the US are locked in an institutional impasse

that perpetuates inconsistent regulatory interpretation and enforcement

among stakeholders who have not been able to organize among themselves

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