Page 91 - Breeding and regulatory opportunities, Renaud

Seed Regulation in the US, EU and Mexico

Table 3.2 US Stakeholder perspectives on an organic seed database (n=74)

Stakeholder Stakeholder Stakeholder Perspective on Organic Seed Database

category
type1
level of
inluence1

Organic Key
High
-Valuable tool for certiiers to assist in the
Certiiers interpretation of a growers attempt at sourcing
(n=8)
organic seed in the inspection process

-An organic seed database would make assessing an
organic growers attempt at sourcing organic seed
more eicient and less costly

Small-Scale Primary
-Valuable tool to identify possible organic seed Low
to High
Organic sources commercially available that are unknown to

Growers the grower
(n=26)
-Growers should not be limited to database sources
for production operation use as many rare and

unusual varieties are not available in organic form. Do
not want to limit on-farm genetic diversity.

Large-Scale Primary
-Valuable tool to identify possible organic seed Low
to High
Organic sources commercially available that are unknown to
Growers the grower.

(n=14)
-Growers should not be limited to database sources
for production operations as many varieties used by
commercial growers are not grown organically or are

produced under longer term contracts.
Organic Food Intermediate
-Potentially valuable tool to identify sources of Low

Buyer
organic seed to support contracts and ensure
(n=5)
compliance of organic seed regulation guidance.
-Do not want to be limited by varieties available on

the database because the varieties may not meet
contract requirements.

Formal Seed Primary
-Valuable tool if all companies with organic seed Low
to High
Companies participate and keep availability updated.
(n=10)
-Excellent nearly free marketing and promotion

opportunity.
-Potential to gather information on varieties that
growers would like organically, but are not available.

-Unnecessary costly and timely uploading process.
-Do not want to participate if the company has
a conventional untreated seed division as it will

jeopardize their sales.

Non-Proit Intermediate
-A two-way organic seed database is a stepping stone Low
to High
Organizations towards transparency of what varieties are available
(n=6)
in organic form as well as those that are not available.
-A needed tool in order to set derogations/exception

by crop group and to set timelines.
-Valuable to a broad stakeholder range in the organic
seed chain.

Policy & Key
-Valuable tool to demonstrate availability and High

Legislative support organic certiiers, growers and food buyers in
Body identifying availability.
(n=5)
-Will include in guidelines, but not make it

mandatory.

Sources: Stakeholder analysis (columns 1-3, 2007); stakeholder interviews and participant observation
(column 4, 2007-2013). Adapted from Renaud et al., (2014).

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