b'BRUSSELS SPROUTSBY: CESAR GONZALEZWHY DOES ADVOCACY MATTER FOR THE EU SEED SECTOR?A s early as 1958, in the Stresa Conferencewhere the Common Agricultural Policy, one of the EUs flagship policies, was conceivedinter-ested groups such as farmers organisations were already part of the discussions. Since then, much has happened for the EU and for the agri food sector in particular.The interaction between interested groups, such as Euroseeds, and the EU institutions is one of the raisons dtre of EU associations. This role was recognised by the Commission as early as 1993: (.) This dialogue has proved valuable to both the Commission and to interested outside parties. Commission officials acknowledge the need for such outside input and welcome it (.) 1 .Since then, the role of the European Parliament in shaping EU legislation hasassessment, public consultation, impactMaterial (PRM), the Sustainable Use increased. Little by little, policy areas pre- assessment, draftingand finally, two yearsRegulation (SUR), various files on seed viously outside the Parliaments remit havelater in 2023, the proposal was adopted byequivalence (mainly with Ukraine), Brexit been brought under its legislative powers.the Commission. The next phase, fromimplementation, plant health outbreaksNowadays, any new piece of legislation2023 to 2026, includes discussions injust to name the most relevant ones.requires the Parliaments acquiescence, and itboth the Parliament and the Council. IfAll this work requires gathering and is undeniable that Members of the Europeaneverything goes smoothly, the basic actsharing information, drafting replies to Parliament like to exercise their powers. will be adopted in mid 2026. Adding theconsultations, preparing joint positions, There is no official estimate regardingimplementation period (two years, or onedrafting amendment proposals, carrying the time needed by the Commission to pre- and a half if we are lucky) takes us to 2028out analyses, commenting on compromise pare a new legislative proposal (at least, not roughly seven years. A similar timelineamendments, preparing voting recommen-that I am aware). However, some studiescan be expected for the Plant Reproductivedations, drafting press releases and joint mention that it can take more than sevenMaterial proposal, which will likely takeletters, meeting with decision makers, years for legislation to be fully adopted even longer than the NGTs. organising events, and participating in from preparatory work to implementation.All this long introduction serves to putconferences tasks that are difficult to This relatively long timeframe can be chal- into perspective the need for any sector tomanage without being part of a team based lenging for a single organisation to cover,get actively involved in EU decision makingin Brussels.and this is one of the main reasons whyand, in this respect, how EU associationsBut time marches on, and new files long term commitment to EU associations,provide a strong platform for doing so (fromare already emerging: ongoing discussions engaged in EU advocacy and public affairs,a handful of organisations represented inabout the Research Framework Programme, is essential. 1958 to more than 2,800 registered organisa- trade and tariffs (Mercosur, EU/UK reset, LetstaketheexampleofNewtions with an interest in agriculture in 2026). US.), the Omnibus package on Food and Genomic Techniques (NGTs). In 2019,Feed (treated seeds), the upcoming eval-after the push from the sector, the CouncilFINAL NOTE uation of the Community Plant Variety requested the Commission to carry out aAfter more than seven years, these are myRights legislation, the evaluation of the EU study on NGTs. This study was published inlast days at Euroseeds, and I have used partAccess and Benefit-Sharing Regulation.2021, together with a letter announcing theof them to look back to 2018 and reflect onI am very grateful for these years at Commissions intention to propose new leg- what has happened since. In terms of leg- Euroseeds and for the opportunity to work islation on the topic. From that moment, theislation, we have worked on New Genomicwith and for the EU seed sector. Keep up entire process beganinception impactTechniques (NGTs), Plant Reproductivethe good work! 1 eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:C:1993:063:FULLFEBRUARY 2026|SEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPEISEED WORLD EUROPE I 33'