b'INDUSTRY INITIATIVESThe most commercial interest has been in certain veg- The seed sector has not just talked; it has also been proactiveetable crops, including some not currently in Annex 1.recognizing the importance of putting money on the table.The number of SMTAs signed is not a reliable indica- In 2017, a group of seed companies signed a Declarationtor of commercial use. Many SMTAs are for research, of Commitment, pledging to test a subscription model. Theytraining, or small-scale projects with no link to seed sales.agreed to pay a fixed percentage of sales of Annex 1 crops inThis means that projections of tens of millions in annual exchange for more predictable access terms. This demonstratedpayments from commercial breeders are not realistic. For the a willingness to contribute financiallyprovided the systemMLS to work, it needs to be based on actual use patterns and makes business sense. realistic expectations. A goal is to expand use in row crops, but Unfortunately, negotiations stalled in 2019 over disagree- this will only happen with time and appropriate terms.ments on payment rates and whether digital sequence infor-mation (DSI) should be included in benefit-sharing. With noWHATS AT STAKE IN LIMAagreement, the seed sectors declaration was withdrawn, andFor the seed sector, the outcome in Lima could shape the future momentum was lost. of access to plant genetic resources. If negotiators can agree Still, the principle remains: companies are willing to payon a balanced package, the MLS could become a truly useful into the system if terms are fair, practical, and legally clear. tool for breedersspeeding up access to diversity, supporting innovation, and ensuring fair contributions to conservation.THE STATE OF PLAY IN 2025 If talks collapse again, the risk is that the system remains As the 11th Governing Body session approaches, the enhance- underused, underfunded, and irrelevant for commercial breed-ment debate has been going for over a decade. The main goalsing. That would be a missed opportunity not just for companies, have not changed: but for global food security. I ncrease benefits from the MLS, both monetary and non-monetary. LOOKING AHEAD Make user-based payments sustainable and predictable. From a commercial users perspective, success in Lima requiresExpand the crops and diversity available. three things: Improve availability of material in the MLS. 1.Clear and fair payment terms. Companies will only par- Ensure legal certainty and simplicity for all users. ticipate if obligations are predictable and aligned with the But agreeing on the details remains difficult. Key stickingrealities of breeding.points include: 2. Multiple payment options. A mix of single-access and sub-1.Payment rates. For companies, the decision to use MLSscription models at reasonable rates will attract the widest material ultimately comes down to quality of germplasm andrange of users.their cost. Too high a rate will discourage participation. Too3. Realistic expectations. Benefit-sharing must be based on low a rate risks underfunding conservation efforts. actual use of MLS material, not inflated projections.oCurrent evidence suggests that Article 6.7 rates (forThe seed sector has consistently provided honest input and restricted products) are acceptable to some companies,will continue to do so. Companies are open to working with since they have already led to payments. MLS materialespecially in vegetables and niche markets o A portfolio-based subscription rate around 0.01% of sales if the SMTA is improved. With the right package, more has some precedent, based on the 2017 Declaration. breeders could explore MLS resources, more payments would o One proposal is to make voluntary payments (Article 6.8)flow to the Benefit-sharing Fund, and the Treatys goals of con- mandatory but at a much lower rate than 6.7aboutservation and equitable sharing would be advanced.10 times lower.2.Scope of crops (Annex 1). Many countries want to expandCOMPROMISE & COMMITMENTAnnex 1 beyond the current 64 crops to include all food andThe upcoming meeting in Lima is a critical moment for the forage plants especially certain vegetables. The seed sector isfuture of the Treatys Multilateral System. For breeders and not opposed, but expansion only makes sense if the paymentseed companies, the potential rewards are significant: easier system is workable. access to diversity, more predictable rules, and a fairer bene-3. Digital Sequence Information (DSI). Some countries arguefit-sharing system. But reaching agreement will require com-that benefit-sharing must also apply to genetic information,promise, honesty, and a focus on practical solutions.not just physical material. This remains unresolved, and viewsThe seed sector remains committed to supporting an differ widely. outcome that worksfor breeders, for governments, and for global food security. COMMERCIAL USE: MYTHS AND REALITIESA persistent challenge in the negotiations is unrealistic assump- Editors Note: For readers who want to dive deeper into the history, tions about how much MLS material is used in commercialnegotiations, and technical details, the original full paper is avail-breeding. able and offers a comprehensive account here: https://worldseed.org/The reality: document/opinion-enhancing-multilateral-system-treaty-2025/Use in major field crops such as maize, soybean, andcotton is close to zero. Companies already have other sources of germplasm and dont see MLS material as competitive.NOVEMBER 2025|SEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPEISEED WORLD EUROPE I 9'