With BIO’s agriculture division dissolved, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) steps in to guide policy, regulation and innovation for plant breeding and crop biotechnology.
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) will assume a new leadership role in crop biotechnology advocacy and regulation, following the dissolution of the Agriculture and Environment Section (BIO AE) of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) in July 2025.
BIO’s strategic shift to focus solely on human health and biopharma led to the formation of a committee made up of key BIO AE members tasked with finding an organization to continue agricultural biotechnology work. After evaluating multiple options, the committee unanimously chose ASTA to take on this portfolio.
With the support of its Board of Directors, ASTA’s leadership team will now represent plant breeding and crop biotechnology interests at the state, federal, and international levels.
“ASTA is honored to carry this work forward and continue building on our history of strong plant innovation advocacy,” says President and CEO Andy LaVigne. “We recognize the importance of these critical advocacy and regulatory efforts, and we are prepared to uphold the high standards our members and stakeholders expect.”
ASTA is implementing a detailed onboarding plan to integrate additional resources and expertise, ensuring continuous support across its member services and advocacy priorities. The organization aims to strengthen the collective voice of the U.S. seed sector while advancing innovation and sustainability in agricultural biotechnology.
