b'WHAT WILL BE DIFFERENT NOW?Concerning policies and legislation on seeds I would like to pres-ent the following observations for the future. First of all, on variety protection, our drive to boost inno-vation in the EU for the benefit of all (including consumers, farmers and businesses) requires also in the future a strong intellectual property rights system in order to protect innovation (including in plant varieties) and to remain competitive in the global economy in line with Commissions new Action Plan on Intellectual Property to strengthen the EUs economic resilience and recovery.On seed marketing, following the critics on the legal approach of one single Regulation, the focus now should be on targeted amendments of the Directives on plant reproductive material and clearly handling the Directive on forest reproduc-tive material separately. Concerning the legislation on variety registration for market access of new improved plant varieties, there is a well-estab-lished independent authorisation system with official quality testing for the benefit of the users of varieties. Variety registra-tion is also crucial for the process of ensuring varietal identityPivi Mannerkorpiof seed in the seed certification system.However, variety registration needs to adapt to allow efficient testing with modern tools, efficient administrative processes and databases. It can have an important role in contributing to enhancing sustainability of our agri-food systems. Moreover, theCOULD A MORE MODERNwork done by breeders on variety testing should be recognised. Here I also like to mention the two EU Horizon 2020 projects:RISK-BASED APPROACH TO SEED Invite and Innovar which started in 2019. We expect in the future innovative results on variety testing. Other questions haveCERTIFICATION BE TAKEN?emerged such as how new traits could be better addressed, and should there be more specific requirements for different crops?CLIMATE CHANGEIt is high time to pose questions on impacts of climate change onWhat about consumers, do they request controlled quality variety testing: is there a need for testing across more locationsof seed or do they prefer instead a larger choice of uncontrolled and environments due to extreme variability of local weathermaterial risking maybe lower quality?conditions and unpredictable extreme weather events in addition to long term climate shifts? How can the industry breed newLOCAL PRODUCTIONvarieties under these conditions and how could variety testingListening to some more quiet noises, more citizens are interested support plant breeding and identify the best varieties? How canin producing food by themselves, also in urban area (urban farm-we protect field trials? Should there be, for example, informationing) or in buying more locally produced food produced with local on the type of environment the varieties are suited in e.g. varietyvarieties. Also, more diversified diets are recommended in Farm description? In the long term: What would be the impact if weto Fork strategy. In this way biodiversity could be enhanced. move agricultural production to protected environments suchWhat would these developments mean and require as regards as glasshouses or vertical production? the EU seed legislation? ORGANIC REGULATION IT TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND SECURITYCurrently there are adapted rules in place for specific marketsConcerning the procedures and technical processes of variety such as conservation and so-called amateur varieties. In addi- testing and seed certification it is clear that the most advanced tion, since the adoption of the new Organic Regulation, thereand cost efficient up-to date technologies should be used. The is ongoing work on addressing the needs of the organic sector.same goes for label security. If needed the legislation should be With regard to organic heterogeneous material the legal act isaccordingly updated to allow for their use. about to be finalised. Moreover in 2021, a temporary experimentIn matters of IT, digitalisation and big data, we should on organic varieties is in preparation with the idea to developindeed think big and prepare for the future with common sys-adapted DUS and VCU testing protocols for certain priority spe- tems for all aspects seeds, including variety protection and regis-cies covering the specific needs of organic production.tration, seed certification and thus improving the security of our systems. We should not limit ourselves to the EU but continue SEED CERTIFICATION VS PRIVATE QUALITYcooperating with OECD, UPOV and ISTA.ASSURANCE SYSTEMS? Finally, I can assure you that the central objective will be to Is it necessary to keep the seed certification system when seedcontinue to foster a modern and effective regulatory environment companies have developed good manufacturing practices andin plant breeding and seed production, under which innovation quality assurance systems and technologies that provide, forcan thrive, along the political lines of the new Commission.example, better identity and traceability tools? Could a more modern risk-based approach be taken? What is the impact ofEditors Note: Pivi Mannerkorpi is Team Leader for plant climate change on seed certification?reproductive material at the European Commission8IEUROPEAN SEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM'