b'deep knowledge not only of these individ- the debates about reducing environmen- gals in one sentence already illustrates the ual areas, but especially of the interactionstal impact of crop protection, the conceptcomplexity. Old varieties may be useful for between them. Governments are strugglingof Integrated Pest Management (IPM) isparticular culinary and biodiversity conser-with identifying theoften unintended leading, which makes sense to a large extent.vation reasons, but they are not necessarily impact of particular measures on these otherSpraying only when an economic thresholdthe top varieties in terms of many sustaina-fields. The easiest way is to simply ignore theof damage is reached is a sensible way ofbility parameters. New varieties having new complexities. The most obvious example isachieving those goals in many applications.characteristics but not a visible sustainability the current rules based on calendar agri- However, we have two challenges in theseadvantage may contribute to genetic diver-culture, measures that The Netherlandsdiscussions that are easy to understand butsity but will not be allowed onto the market reported to Brussels to implement variousapparently difficult to translate into policies:according to the current plans.EU goals. the use of healthy seeds and planting materi- So, either such dilemmas are inherent The objective to cover the soil duringals is the logical basis for any crop protectionto the complexity of agriculture, with a kind winter is a commendable objective to con- strategy. However, when such guaranteesof shit happens approach, or governments serve and improve soil quality and supportcan not be given because the concept IPM isshould invest much more in acquiring prac-biodiversity in intensive cropping systems.implemented religiously, then farmers maytical agricultural experience in their ranks, or The cultivation of cover crops during winterplant an inoculum of certain diseases, anda combination of both. Those who know agri-is a commendable tool to avoid nitrate leach- since phytosanitary rules for export oftenculture should be allowed orbetter - invited ing, especially when such crops fight soilapply zero-tolerances, we can forget theto share their knowledge with policy makers borne pests and diseases, notably nematodescontribution of Europe towards sustainablemore effectively. The political cultures that at the same time. Such catch crops have beenagriculture elsewhere through the export ofmake this possible differ quite a bit among identified and bred to establish in the fall andquality seeds. IPM is fine but needs to bethe EU member states. Even in countries that are sufficiently cold-sensitive to avoidapplied wisely in seed production fields. Thethat are proud of their multi-stakeholder becoming a weed problem for the followingother challenge is seed treatment. Obviously,approaches to informing policy processes, summer crop. this is the most effective use of very smalldilemmas are difficult to avoid.There are two challenges: in orderqualities of (chemical) crop protection, whichFurther, governments have to be able to to give cover crops a sufficient temper- should be recognized as contributing to IPMcommunicate their policies, and the dilem-ature sum to establish in the fall a rule isas it avoids rather than controls diseases inmas they have to deal with. An interesting introduced that summer crops need to becrop production. However, for some usingcase in point is currently the issue around harvested before Oct. 1, irrespective of thethe strictest definition of IPM, where cropnew genomic techniques. There are many particular year. This means that when theprotection is only allowed as a last resortcomponents in the Commission proposal spring in a particular year is cool, crops likebeyond the threshold, the treatment of seedthat need to be explained. Let me pick just potato and maize have insufficient time towith chemicals or biologicals before any pestone: the prohibition of the organic sector to produce a good yield and quality. Similarly,appears does not fit. In order not to throwuse NGTs, including the nature-like cate-for the same reason of soil improvement andaway the baby with the bath water, the seedgory one products that could also be created biodiversity, under the Dutch regulations oftreatments should be supported as a preven- in nature or through conventional breeding the Common Agricultural Policy, the soiltive measure under IPM rather than blocked. methods. The logic of (the vocal part of) the has to be covered for 80 per cent on MarchI agree, policy making in agricultureorganic sector is that they demand to be freed 1 in order to be eligible for support. Thisis inherently complex. This means thatfrom GMOs and that policies should make means that cover crops need to be less coldnational ministries and EU-Commissionit possible for them to maintain that claim. sensitive, and that other means need to beshould invest in having sufficient knowledgeHowever, the organic sector has been using applied to get rid of them in spring, eitherthemselves. That should lead to them beingproducts of genetic modificationthe prod-with soil-biodiversity damaging and CO2- less vulnerable to lobby groups. Of course,ucts of random mutagenesisthroughout emitting heavy ploughing, or by herbicides.these groups have their value, but theythe existence of the term organic. I have not Oops, that was exactly NOT the expectedbecome partners by supplying knowledgeheard the Commission explaining how they outcome of the soil improvement strategy.and insights by knowledgeable public bodiesdealt with the dilemma they must have had These are simple examples how administra- that can understand and weigh their input.which led to allowing the organic sector to tive measures, in short calendar agriculture,Another one is the wish in PRMuse the older category of nature-like GMOs may be less straightforward than it looks atto allow new varieties onto the marketand not the newer ones.first glance. only when they have a special sustaina-More specifically for seeds there arebility advantage, while on the other handNiels Louwaars is the Managing Director at some important examples in the currentto stimulate conservation varieties muchPlantum. This article does not necessarily reflect EU-debates as well: IPM and VSCU. Inmore liberally than before. Putting the twothe views of all Plantum members.EUROPEAN-SEED.COMISEED WORLD EUROPE I 43'