b"CROP PROTECTION PRODUCTSThis is a long-term issue, although not directly related to the Czech Presidency, but which concerns the seed sector and needs to be addressed, is the banning of certain active substances of plant protection products for agricultural practice, especially if there is no adequate substitute for seed treatment. The removal of the possibility of effective seed treatment for field crops and vegetables may not only cause a decline in the production of some of them but may lead to an increase in the consumption of foliar sprays, hence an increase in the environmental burden and costs for producers. Especially for some crops such as peas, soybeans, poppy, without active seed treatments (pickling), the area under cultivation may decrease.That is why, during the Czech Presidency, priority discus-sions are continuing on the proposal for a regulation on the sustainable use of pesticides, the optimal use of which is one of the important elements for environmental protection. At the heart of the negotiations at European level during the CZ PRES is an agreement on reducing pesticide use across the EU. The European Commission's basic proposal is a requirement to reduce pesticide consumption by 50 per cent by 2030 in line with the Farm to Fork Strategy. For the Czech Republic, along with the environmental aspect, it is essential to maintain sustainable agricultural production and to ensure sufficient quality and safe food for consumers.PHYTOSANITARY PASSPORTPhytosanitary issues also permeate the entire seed sector. The Czech Presidency has taken over from its French predecessors on, among other things, the issue of the new phytosanitary pass-port system. The aim of the Czech Presidency is to harmonise this system so that each link in the production chain is mini-mally burdened financially while maximising the benefits, which include the traceability of plants with phytosanitary problems, the traceability of the origin of outbreaks of harmful organisms and the rapid identification of plant passports. Furthermore, the Czech Republic supports the idea of put-ting all requirements for reproductive material relating to regu- Zden k Trnka lated non-quarantine harmful organisms (not only phytosanitary requirements) into one piece of legislation.For the successful implementation of both the Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategies, the creation of new flexible, resistant and efficient varieties is a necessity. Climate changeWhat is important, however, is that today even the European and changing growing conditions are beginning to place highUnion has realised that it cannot remain aloof from this trend. demands on the adaptation of species and varieties. They areThe risk of a loss of competitiveness, of an outflow of intellec-forcing farmers to take different measures quite quickly totual potential and, therefore, of economic decline, is too great. ensure a satisfactory harvest. In addition, there is increasingStudies commissioned by the European Commission in the field pressure from society to reduce the use of chemical fertilisersof new genomic techniques show, moreover, that these tech-and pesticides. Sufficient production of healthy food at reason- niques and the crops produced by them have the potential to able prices is another reason for the need for innovation in crophave a positive impact on food and feed security, sustainable breeding.agriculture, biodiversity and food systems, as defined in the European strategies.NEW GENOMIC TECHNIQUES Given the EU's long-standing position, there are concerns As already stated, current science has modern tools in the fieldabout the safety of products obtained through new genomic of breeding, known as new genomic techniques, which couldtechniques and the environmental impacts, and concerns about speed up the process of creating new varieties. However, currentfuture coexistence with organic farming. Many other challenges European legislation does not sufficiently support their researchwill also need to be addressed regarding consumers' rights to and practical use at European level. These new methods areinformation, freedom of choice, etc. However, the European Food developing rapidly, and many new companies are being set upSafety Authority (EFSA) concluded in its summary that varieties to deal with them, but unfortunately most of them are in non-EUobtained by new genomic techniques carry essentially the same countries. risk profile as plant varieties produced by breeding, which we EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEAN SEED I 25"