Page 62 - Breeding and regulatory opportunities, Renaud

Chapter 2

The SOS report (Dillon and Hubbard, 2011), which is based on responses from

1,047 certiied organic growers representing approximately 10% of US certiied

organic growers, found that on average, 52% of vegetable growers (survey

question 5) and 72% of ield crop growers (survey question 9) were using organic

seed. The largest potential users of organic seed by volume were found to be

the large scale baby lettuce and spinach leaf growers. However, respondents to

our interviews in this group indicated that they were reluctant to move toward

compliance with the organic seed rule because their seed costs comprise a

relatively high percentage of their total expenses, related to high seeding rates

and planting cycle frequency (Grower interviews, 2007-2011). As a result, this

group of growers has been requesting and securing regular exceptions from

their certiiers. Even when organic seed for their standard crop varieties is

available, they have an incentive to represent to their certiiers that the seed

is not available (at all, or in suicient quantity or on time), or that they have

diferent requirements than the traits ofered by commercially available organic

seed varieties (Grower interviews, 2007-2011). Exceptions are sanctioned in part

because certiiers are not conident in judging commercial availability (as stated

above). Also, they are not aware of the planning time required for a grower to

commit to contract organic production and to secure supply of large volumes

of seed in a timely manner (Grower and Seed company interviews, 2007-2013).

Paradoxically, the growers we interviewed also revealed that while some

growers perceived many impediments to the implementation of the organic

seed regulation, they saw several positive developments as a result of the open

nature of the regulation’s interpretation. Growers claimed to have become more

aware of their varietal requirements and of their current and potential role in the

organic seed chain. They have been actively engaged in performing on-farm

trials to compare available organic varieties to their conventional untreated

standards. To support growing demand, regional organic seed production

cooperatives have also been established to fulil seed requirements and provide

growers with an additional income stream.

What is at stake for organic food buyers?

The NOSB recommendations emphasized the signiicance of the role of

organic buyers, deined as buyers of raw organic food products for the fresh

and processing food markets, in the enforcement of the seed regulation. They

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