b'USDA Looks to Createa Fairer Market for SeedsThe USDA reports updates after the comment period on competition and the seed sector.Alex MartinON MARCH 6,the USDA released a report titled Morestreams and market opportunities, which helps bring down food and Better Choices for Farmers: Promoting Fair Competitioncosts for families at the grocery store, Agriculture Secretary and Innovation in Seeds and Other Agricultural Inputs, whichTom Vilsack said in the release from USDA. Todays investments includes recommendations for improving market fairness for theand actions to back the startup and expansion of independent seed sector. USDA is immediately acting on three points: processing capacity and boost market fairness in seeds andThe USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is set- other key agricultural inputs will promote competition, support ting up a new Farmer Seed Liaison, which will deliver on reportproducer income, strengthen the supply chain, and increase recommendations, specifically to boost transparency and reduceeconomic opportunity in rural communities.confusion in a complex seed system by facilitating communica- This report follows the USDAs commentary period for the tion between farmers, plant breeders and the patent system. impacts of concentration, market power and intellectual propertyThe USDA and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Officein the market for seeds and other agricultural inputs last June. (USPTO) are forming a working group on intellectual propertyThis report was compiled by the USDA AMS and the University (IP) and competition in seeds and other agricultural inputs,of Wisconsin to summarize the finding in the report and reflects where USDA and USPTO, in partnership with the Department ofsignificant consultation across the USDA, USPTO, Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, will work to promoteJustice Antitrust and the Federal Trade Commission.fair competition in the seed market. The report focuses on three ways to provide more andAdditionally, the USDA AMS is releasing a Notice to Tradebetter seed choices to farmers: 1) working with the U.S. Patent regarding compliance with disclosing the kind and variety ofand Trademark Office to enhance robust and reliable intellectual seeds under the Federal Seed Act. This is to ensure that farm- property rights that appropriately take into consideration the ers and seed businesses should know the kind and variety offarmers and plant breeders voice and expertise, 2) ensuring seed theyre getting from producers. USDA will also expandthat seed businesses are engaged in fair competition and are not FarmerFairness.gov to enable farmers and seed businesses tounfairly taking advantage of market power, and 3) investing in report tips and complaints related to competition in seed. the critical national infrastructure of more diverse seed variety The report underscores the importance of public investmentdevelopment and stewardship to address local and regional in plant breeding to promote competition and enable farmers tofood system needs and build greater resiliency into our food better adapt to local and regional needs, the release says. supply chains, the release adds.Under President Bidens leadership, USDA is laser-focused on standing up for Americas farmers and ranchers by expandingSeed Sector Reactionsprocessing capacity, creating fairer markets, and more revenueAs for the seed sector, associations are carefully reviewing 12/ SEEDWORLD.COMJUNE 2023'