b'Sweet pepper variety testing at Naktuinbouw.testing procedures are very necessary. This might also lead to bettertainable production systems, and that conservation of biodiversity possibilities for global DUS testing of new varieties for global pro- is a key issue. Of course, one can have different ideas on the impor-tection in the future, in which growing of new varieties in all thesetance of specific elements, but overall, it is a very logical thought UPOV countries and different circumstances might be less needed. that genetics play an important role. Therefore, new varieties or older varieties with proper characteristics can be crucial for the SWE: AND HOW DO YOU LOOK AT THE USE OF NEW BREED- required change or path to more sustainable horticulture.ING TECHNIQUES (NBT) FOR VARIETY DEVELOPMENT? Of course, breeders are already working on the varieties of JvR: I am very pleased that the EU Commission has recently madetomorrow. Most likely, they do not even need legislation to con-a proposal to look differently at new varieties created with specifictinue with that. But I see the possibility to also make the quality molecular adjustment techniques like CRISPR-CAS and not regardof those newly created varieties visible, for farmers and for society. them as genetically modified. I hope that a proper procedure forThis will underline that breeders and companies are doing the right allowing these varieties to be marketed will be achieved in a couplething with the use of modern, environmentally friendly and safe of years. I believe it will help our agricultural sector and society totechniques. So, we should see it as a challenge and not a threat.create better varieties in a much shorter timespan than would be possible with only classic breeding techniques and marker assistedSWE: BUT HOW ABOUT ALL ADDITIONAL COSTS AND TIME breeding. Also, in fruit species and other crops with a long genera- NEEDED?tion duration, it can enormously bring down the timeframe neededJvR: Good point. In my opinion, this is an important issue to over-to create more sustainable varieties. come. How can we use information that is already available at the But it will also create new challenges and questions: how tobreeders premises, and how can we use information becoming deal with essential derivation, what is the minimum distance neededavailable in the period of variety introduction (phase of premar-to distinguish varieties, how to identify the use of these techniques?keting permission)? Which tests can be carried out under official And what we see more and more is the patenting of genes andsupervision? As the demand for new, resistant, and better varieties traits, which I personally do not find a desirable road. The breedersis great, we need to develop rapid, robust, reliable, and affordable exemption that allows the use of all existing material/varieties formethods of examination.the creation of new varieties has brought the horticultural sectorThe same is true for certification programs: the presented very far and makes it possible for a very broad range of plant breed- option for making operators responsible for certification themselves ers to create better varieties. under official supervision is interesting, on the condition that this system is also applicable for inspection and testing according to SWE: THE INTRODUCTION OF SUSTAINABLE VCU IS ONE OFplant health regulation requirements. Naktuinbouw and its regis-THE CORNERSTONES OF THE RECENT EU PRM REGULATIONtered companies have already been using this kind of systems for PROPOSAL. DO YOU THINK THAT IT IS DESIRABLE TO HAVEseveral years, with good experience.THESE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN LEGISLATION? There is still a lot of work to do, but for our beautiful and strong JvR: I do understand the proposal of the EU Commission. It is, inseed sector I am sure this challenge can be brought to a good end my opinion, absolutely necessary that in agricultural policies andso we can continue towards our common goal: to feed the people regulations the choice is made to support development of more sus- and to save the planet.56ISEED WORLD EUROPEIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM'