b'ETIENNE ABELARD, TURF BREEDER AT DLF, FRANCEPassion for agriculture have been key words for Etienne. After completing a plant breeding internship at the age of 15, from then on, he wanted to be a plant breeder. Etienne started his career at DLF during work-study training. He combines acquired theoretical and practical knowledge, to breed new turf grass varieties in a constantly changing agricultural and envi-ronmental context. Etienne has shown technical acumen by implementing the latest breed-ing methodssuch as genome wide selection and high-throughput phenotyping by using remote imagingto improve and ensure the flow of new varieties. He aspires to implement new technologies to improve the breeding programs of synthetic varieties and increase genetic gain of these programs being in the forefront of the technological development.Etiennes dream iswith the help of New Breeding Techniquesto reduce the breeding cycle of grass from 10-12 years to 6-8 years to react more quickly to climate change and market expectations. He is working closely with Christophe Galbrun, who is specialized in turf grass breeding.PAULINE AUCLAIR, PRODUCT MANAGER AT VILMORIN-MIKADO, FRANCE Pauline decided to join the seed sector because seed is the first element, the first step to get a plant, a fruit and finally the first in the global food chain. For young people, the seed business is very dynamic and innovative. The international, multi-cultural environment was also a key factor for her. What Pauline really enjoys about working in the seed sector is the people: she believes that this business gathers passionate people with a strong scientific background. Pauline is inspiring others thanks to her positivity. She is not afraid of any of the professional challenges she has faced since she started to work with the company. She managed to find solutions, she per-severes and keeps a positive attitude. Its very easy to work with her, shes always available for her co-workers, no matter the difference of culture, shes adapting herself to make it work and in a very nice atmosphere.SJOERD BIJL, POLICY OFFICER AT PLANTUM,THE NETHERLANDS Sjoerd Bijl started his work with seed association Plantum right after obtaining his law degree with specialization Intellectual Property Rights. Even though plant breeders rights were not explicitly dealtCLAIRE CLETHEROE,with during his studies, he dug into the specificities of this IP systemGROWING EXPERT AT THE and was caught by the adaptation of the system to the realities andSOLANA GROUP, UK needs of plant breeding. He can already be considered a trustedClaire has a great passion for the potato source of information for members and colleagues. The sector isseed sector. At the age of 22, she joined great to work in, he says, and the passion that plant breedersthe Solana group in the UK. Being part have for their work is truly infectious. I believe the legal communityof the technical team, Claire is passion-in general can still learn a lot from our innovative sector.ate about potatoes from field to fork. Whether Sjoerd is a typical Generation Z remains to be seen butThe humble potato is nutritionally rich, having this age group in our team is a great asset, asserts Nielsflavoursome and a diverse product. With Louwaars, Plantum managing director. this knowledge, Claire regularly meets different people in the industry, through-out the supply chain, promoting the right potato for the job. Claire communicates with many of their clients on open days, looking at new varieties for many markets with the aim to make potato production more efficient and sustainable, and it starts with the seed potato from the field.These exciting and challenging times allow Claire to use her skills and passion to make the most of these situations to excite clients about the future of the potato. Claire is enthusiastic about the breed-ing of new varieties and the development of the potato industry to ensure the potato is noticed.EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEAN SEED I 17'