b'GIANT VIEWSWE OWE IT TO FUTURE GENERATIONS TO DEAL PROACTIVELY WITH REGULATORY, POLITICAL CHALLENGES THIS PAST SUMMER, a new government took power inconsideration by Chiles parliament Colombia. This historic election result made headlinesproposes some drastic measures that around the world, and my colleagues and I at Cortevawould severely impact research and Agriscience are working to learn more about it and whatproduction of seeds in Chile, which the potential implications could be for the Colombiancould affect the seed supply glob-seed sector and beyond. ally and specifically for the U.S. and Shifts in the global political landscape can have majorEurope. effects on the seed industrythat likely doesnt comeThese are issues that, for the as news to anyone reading this. What can often surprisemost part, have been posing chal-us is how significant and widespread these effects canlenges to the industry for many years. Augusto Moraes,be for future generations if were not prepared to dealFurthermore, in Latin America, more Latin Americawith them now. than in other parts of the world, the Government &From a commercial standpoint, Brazil, Argentina andtransition of power and the political Industry AffairsMexico have major importance for Corteva. From an oper- convictions of government officials Director, Cortevaational perspective, Chile is crucial to supplying seedsmay impact the way policies are Agriscience globally, in particular to the U.S. and the European Union. designed and restrictions and incen-While there are a large number of challenges associ- tives handled by each administration.ated with all these regions, there are some big ones thatThe agricultural sector around the dominate the discussion right now.globe deals with volatility, be it from In Brazil, legislation that governs the export of treatedweather, pests, resistant weeds, dis-seeds is on our radar. Currently, the Brazilian busi- eases, logistics or regulatory/political ness environment does not encourage new investments,change. In Latin America, the latter because the industry finds it difficult to export treatedis very dominant. This, of course, seeds to countries that use different treatment doses thanconcerns us, but is not surprising as the ones established here in Brazil.we have been dealing with it for a In Argentina, there is concern around the economiclong time.environment that could impact the importation of inputsIndustry and the entire value used in the formulation of crop protection products and,chain need to communicate the value in some ways, the production of grains. This is a majorof the seed sector to society and issue when it comes to crop protection, but it also pre- to government by highlighting its sents challenges to the seed sector specifically.positive effects regarding economic Also, the recognition of intellectual property rights is adevelopmentjob creation, impor-constant challenge there. Argentinas farmers use certi- tance to GDP and income, and also fied seed in only 15-20% of the total area planted withits value in contributing to social pro-soybeans; there is a similar figure for wheat seeds. Ingress and environmental stewardship. that context, the seed industry has taken a big leap andThis is crucial to arriving at a solu-launched Sembr Evolucin, a system by which farmerstion to problems that may be com-recognize the value of genetics and biotechnology traits.plex and may not be solved in their In Mexico, the current administration has a strongentirety, but which will have wide position on GM corn and glyphosate. In addition to theimplications for future generations fact that the government of Mexico has not allowed thewho will be faced with challenges of use of GM seeds and is an importer of GM grains, atheir own. We can do a lot for those decree issued at the end of 2020 includes a schedule forgenerations by making progress now Mexico to suspend GM corn use by 2024this wouldand not kicking the can down the impact the flow of grains to Mexico in the coming years. road. When it comes to Chile, the main issue at the moment is a political discussion over the use, extraction, and importation of peat. While the protection of Chiles peatlands is of the utmost importance, a new bill under 48GERMINATION.CANOVEMBER 2022'