b'INTERNATIONAL NEWSGLOBAL SEED WATCHFUNDING FOR 22 CROP-RELATED PROJETS IN CANADA, KENYA THE FIRST AFRICAN COUNTRY TO ADOPTE-ELECTRONIC PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATION, AND STRONG PROTECTION FOR IP IN NEW ZEALANDSTATUS CANADA to increase the quality of trade with the European market that fits well in the ongoing agriculture digitalization programme.The Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) in partner- Speaking during the e-certification milestone celebra-ship with the Saskatchewan Ministry of AgricultureAgriculturetions, Principal Secretary (PS), State department for Crop and Development Fund (ADF), the Canadian Agricultural Partnership,Development, in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, and other producer commodity groups, have announced up to $2.7Kellow Harsama expressed optimism that the shift was instru-million to fund 22 new crop-related research projects, a Jan. 11mental in shaping a more inclusive digital transformation in all news release said. business processes in agriculture and trade.Since we began this funding partnership with ADF in 2012,The COVID-19 pandemic, he added, had affected every WGRF has invested almost $30 million dollars to more than 220organization around the world, necessitating changes in their research projects that have undoubtedly improved agricul- strategies to embrace digitalization of their operation to cope tural systems, technology and agronomic practices for westernwith the life threatening situation.Canadian farmers, Keith Degenhardt, WGRF board chair, saidWe are aware that digitalization is a key factor to bolster in the release. investment and innovative development for both our countries, The release noted WGRF is co-funding 15 projects withhe said.ADF and other producer groups. WGRF is also co-funding anHarsama noted that technology enhanced security by additional seven projects exclusively with producer commodityreducing risks associated with cyber-attacks which can disrupt groups. The projects include research into improved varietalbusiness operations.resiliency to environmental stresses and disease for wheat,The PS added that the development of electronic certifica-canola, canary seed, pea and barley varieties, as well as researchtion standard and creation of the International Plant Protection into key agronomic challenges including surveillance and mit- Convention (IPPC) ePhyto Hub serves as a platform for exchange igation strategies for diseases such as Fusarium and club root,of electronic phytosanitary certificates (ePhyto) among trading research into insect population dynamics, and new strategiespartners where over 70 countries have successfully implemented and inputs to improve crop production. paperless certification and this he added is indeed an achieve-WGRF is excited to be supporting these 22 new promisingment worth celebrating.research projects, Wayne Thompson, WGRF executive direc- Source: Kenya Newstor, said in the release. These projects are being led by some remarkable researchers, not only here in Saskatchewan but across western Canada. ADF provides a great forum for producerSTATUS NEW ZEALANDgroups to collaborate and co-fund in agricultural research.A full listing of projects will be posted on the WGRF websitePlant breeders have welcomed the passing of legislation that gives once research contracts are in place, the release said. them stronger protection for intellectual property rights to new varieties.The Plant Variety Rights Bill was passed by Parliament in STATUS COLUMBIA December 2022 and replaces legislation first designed in 1987.Plant Breeding and Research Association general man-Soy with a low presence of raffinose and stachyose sugars, createdager Thomas Chin said that, after many years of lobbying, in Brazil in 2022, was also classified as non-GMO by the Colombiandomestic plant laws had been finally brought into line with the government. By developing this variety, breeders could spend lessInternational Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants on fattening, and the animals will gain weight faster. (UPOV 91) convention.GDM obtained the classification of the first edited soy inPlant breeders are looking to take up the benefits under Brazil last year. To create this variety, a native gene was alteredUPOV 91 as soon as possible, as it gives rights holders strength-to reduce 75 per cent of raffinose and 50 per cent of stachyose inened protections to safeguard their intellectual property, he said.the seeds. These sugars are indigestible by monogastric animalsFor New Zealand growers, access is opened to a greater such as poultry, pigs, and humans.range of new varieties which may assist their competitive posi-The company continues to produce larger volumes oftion in world agricultural markets.seeds of this variety for final validations before the commer- A significant area of reform clarified the use of farm-saved cial launch, says Andr Bel, manager of New Improvementseed and regulations that enabled breeders to obtain royalties Techniques at GDM. from farmers who saved and replanted seed of protected varieties.Farmers using non-proprietary varieties will not incur roy-alty payments.STATUS KENYA Additional funding for breeding programmes from royalties would help incentivise the development of new and improved Kenya is the first country in Africa to introduce and adopt e- elec- pasture and arable genetics for farmers and crop end users, tronic phytosanitary certification (ephyto). Many other nations inhe said.the continent are visiting the country to benchmark and is likelySource: Otago Daily News/Rural Life36IEUROPEAN SEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM'