b'Uruguay is often perceived by businesses as a gateway to South America . foreign companies select Uruguay as a preferred location to test, expand, and market their products.Victoria Stewartwill continue to flourish, contributing to the nation\'s agricultural achievements and the global industry." URUGUAY LEADS THE WORLD IN WORLD BANKS INASE plays a crucial role in the regulation and control of seed quality. This ensures that seeds meet international stand- SUPPLYING SEED RATINGards, which is fundamental to the global seed trade. All these facts position Uruguay a successful competitor in the interna-tional seed market, says Diego Risso, executive director of the 2019 report, the World Bank rated In its Enabling the Business of AgricultureSeed Association of the Americas. Uruguay first among all 101 countries in the rating scales supplying seed Its also important to note that Uruguay is a member of inter- category, with a score of 88.1 out of 100 (compared to the South American national organizations such as UPOV (International Union for theaverage of 72.1). Protection of New Varieties of Plants), ISTA (International Seed Testing Association), and the OECD seed schemes. Together,The Supplying Seed category rating was based on three factors:these relationships and processes mean the country offers1) The time required to register a new cereal variety: Uruguays time toassurances and facilitates provisions for seed companies, makingregister a new variety was measured at 305 days. In comparison, time toit conducive for them to establish and grow their businesses there, adds Stewart. register averaged 489 days across South America, where the longest measure was Chile at 698 days. Globally, Myanmar and France scored best in this category, 4) Certification protocol including self-inspection: registering new varieties in an average of just 147 and 236 days respectively. While most seed certification of agricultural crops is managedConversely, China scored lowest, registering new varieties in an average ofby government, seed certification protocols come from industry1575 days.instead in some countries. Even within a government-coordi-nated system, seed companies often choose to deliver qual- 2) The cost to register a new cereal variety: In Uruguay, the cost to register ity assurance to seed buyers outside of or above and beyonda new variety measured 4.3% of per capita income. Comparatively, the cost government regulations. Most vegetable seed is self-inspected,of registration averaged 28% of per capita income South America-wide, with for example.registration costing most in Columbia (100%) and least in Brazil (3.4%). Globally, The JRG report identified that the Netherlands and Englandthe highest cost to register was Malawi, at 1536% of per capita income.self-inspect a significant percentage of their field crop pro-duction and that, in Canada, the US and New Zealand, self- 3) The quality of the seed regulation. South American countries scored an inspection is allowed in common seed but not certified seed. Inaverage of 6.6 on a 0-9 scale. Peru, Argentina, and Brazil all scored 7/9. Uruguay Uruguay, breeder seed is all inspected by INASE. Certification ofwas the sole South American country to score 8/9, a single point lower than 1st and 2nd generation seed is based on an inspection accredita- about a dozen European countries and Zambia, which scored 9/9.tion program overseen by INASE, whereby accredited compa-nies are permitted to self-inspect.While Uruguay scored very well in the Supplying Seed category, its overall Uruguay may be relatively new on the global stage, but itsrating was 65.5 out of 100 for the impact the countrys cumulative agriculture open for business.regulations have on farming. Given these credentials, Uruguay is poised to play a pivotal role as a significant partner in counter-season seed production. This refers to producing seeds during a season opposite to the main production regions, providing a consistent supply of seeds throughout the year for global markets, adds Stewart.SW14/ SEEDWORLD.COMLATAM'