Page 65 - Breeding and regulatory opportunities, Renaud

Seed Regulation in the US

instance, parent lines used to produce seed varieties may perform diferently

under organically managed soil conditions (e.g. with respect to lowering

time), and the chemical tools used to enhance conventional seed yield and to

control pests are not accepted in organic production systems (Seed company

interviews, 2007-2009).

Seed companies wishing to remain or become competitive in the organic

market for their part face challenges regarding varietal availability, seed quality,

seed quantity, and pricing. Respondents stressed that the seed market is now

locked in a situation in which unpredictable exceptions to the organic seed

regulation are stalling the evolution of the commercial organic seed market,

though they emphasised difering aspects of this dilemma. The American Seed

Trade Association (ASTA), the industry group representing the mainstream and

predominantly conventional seed sector, initially assumed that the desired

market evolution could be achieved by funding an organic seed database. By

2004 ASTA was seeking to clarify the regulation, reporting that it had formally

requested the NOP to endorse 100% closure to conventional seed exceptions in

order for a viable market driven organic seed sector to develop (ASTA interview,

2008). Individual seed company respondents had mixed views on the necessity

of the database. One indicated satisfaction with the sales volume the company

had achieved despite the lack of a database (Seed company interview, 2008).

Another indicated that by supporting the database the company would, by

default, become responsible for enforcement of the organic seed rule (Seed

company interview, 2009).

2.3.3 Emergent organisations and networks

As organic seed sector stakeholders struggle to reach agreement on the

interpretation and enforcement of an organic seed regulation, new organisations

and networks have emerged to promote their interests and drive the process.

Certiiers, growers, food buyers and seed companies have been drawn into

organic seed rule enforcement processes, and into networks of interest around

issues of seed availability, quality, quantity, and pricing. Table 1.3 lists the

chronology and main functions of various organizations that have emerged

in the changing context. Based on our interviews and participant observations

the groups have been clustered in terms of those who: (1) track the issues

that evolve with the changing regulatory landscape, (2) access information on

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