Page 82 - Breeding and regulatory opportunities, Renaud

Chapter 3

Comparative Analysis of Organic Seed Regulation in the United States,

European Union and Mexico

Erica N.C. Renaud, Edith T. Lammerts van Bueren, Janice Jiggins

(submitted)

Abstract

The governance of seed in agriculture is a challenging global issue. This article

analyses the evolution of organic seed regulation in the United States, the

European Union and Mexico as model cases of how these challenges are being

addressed, based on a study conducted between 2007 and 2013. It highlights

how growth of the organic sector is hindered by regulatory imbalances and trade

incompatibilities arising from divergent stakeholder interests along the organic

seed value chain, and the varying capacity for self-organising governance of the

seed sector in relation to the state’s regulatory role. Progress toward regulatory

harmonisation in the organic seed sector among the three cases has been slow.

The article concludes with an assessment of the regulatory processes described

including what the regions may learn from each other and lessons for key areas

of regulatory policy and practice.

Keywords

Organic agriculture, organic seed regulation, harmonisation of standards, trade

incompatibilities, United States (US), European Union (EU), Mexico

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