b'agricultural chain and secure food production. Breeding activi-ties enable the development of better adjusted varieties that potentially require fewer inputs, for example: through improved pathogen resistance. Furthermore, to provide the highest quality and healthiest seeds to the farmer, pre-basic seed must be pro- The seed sector is expected to be severely tected against infection by diseases transmitted through seeds.impacted by this SUR proposal, since a Consequently, innovative plant breeding and professional seed production can significantly reduce the amount of plant protec- significant amount of seed production in tion products to be applied during agricultural production.the EU, as well as plant breeding activities, The examples below are indicative of the impact of the restrictions in France and Germany.occurs in sensitive areas.In France, around 8 acres of seed production are located in sensitive areas. This translates to 85% of French seed production- Amalia Kafkaareas, yet only 1.5% of the total sensitive area. In Germany, on average, approximately 36% of all breed-ing nursery area in the country will be affected. The affected breeding nursery area that would need an exemption from a plant protection product ban would translate to 0.3% of the total agronomic area of Germany.Some 222,000 acres of seed production/multiplication area would be affected in Germany and would need an exemption from the plant protection products (PPP) ban. This translates toFollowing the reactions of Member States and stakeholders, 0.8% of the agronomic area in Germany.the European Commission published a non-paper (a sessionIn total, breeding nurseries and seed production/multi- document issued informally to facilitate negotiations) on the plication would need an exemption on only 1.1% of the totaldefinition and scope of provisions on sensitive areas in the SUR agronomic area in Germany. Use of PPPs on these areas willproposal. The non-paper foresees the use of biocontrol, low-effectively enable a reduction in the need for PPP on the remain- risk, and other approved substances, as well as plant protection ing 98.9% of the agronomic area in Germany through breedingproducts allowed in organic agriculture, while disallowing the progress. use of emergency authorisations of pesticides containing non-Additionally, the impact on seed production and plantapproved substances or the use of more hazardous pesticides breeding in the different crops is expected to be the followingthat are not used in organic agriculture. Though the EC is opti-throughout different EU Member States: mistic about the success of this amended proposal as presented o Seed potato production will be impacted up to 60% in dif- in the non-paper, it will still have a severe impact on the seed ferent Member States. sector. The plant protection products that are being used for oVegetable seed production is expected to be impactedbreeding and seed multiplication purposes are based on prod-heavily, meaning between 40-90% in some cases.ucts of biological origin, conventional chemistry, and candidates oCereal seed production is expected to be impacted up tofor substitution. These products cannot easily be replaced for 40% in some cases.many reasons, including the long registration process of new oMaize seed production and plant breeding are expectedproducts.to be impacted up to almost 50% in different EU Member States. Exemption NeededBreeding activities and seed production take place in a very small Forced closure of seed stations proportion of agricultural area. Progress in breeding can contrib-If the EC proposal on sensitive areas is adopted, a number ofute to the European Commissions Green Deal and Farm-to-Fork breeding stations will be forced to terminate their breedingobjectives for pesticide reduction, including through new varie-activities, while others will need to move their breeding workties that require less PPP due to increased resistance to pests outside the EU, which will severely impact the quality of varietiesand pathogens. However, breeding will need to have a dedicated and genetics developed for the EU market. exemption for PPP use to achieve this. An exemption would only Additionally, seed production is expected to be movedbe necessary for a very small percentage of agricultural land/sen-outside the EU. This will have a strong economic impact for thesitive areas but would have a major impact on breeders ability to European seed business and a negative impact on the busi- continue to meet the needs of the industry.SWnesses of the smallholder farmers and agricultural production partners, including fewer choices of varieties and possibly anEditors Note: Amalia Kafka is Technical Manager Sustainable impact on seed availability. Seed Technologies at Euroseeds94/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2023'