b"well in order to have faster responses and agility, such as solving bureaucratic requirements with companies and agencies and clear and communicated plans in research and development. Two other aspects that I consider important to have in mind We need a unified voice in the whole continentare science and trust among companies and official authorities. that can speak for all its members to promoteBy combining science and trust, countries could share experi-ence, data and solutions to facilitate seed movement around the and facilitate seed trade in the Americas andworld, without affecting the integrity of the seed business and globally. This voice is the reference for keycompromising the sanitary aspects of the seeds and crops. Supply chain is reducing the pace of all movements world-topics and important aspects we are discussingwide. We must act quickly when the issue ariseswe need crea-tive ideas to enable the delivery of seeds and I am confident that worldwide, such as intellectual property, newany company can work on adjusting their processes in different breeding techniques and phytosanitary issues.ways and weSAA and national seed associationshave to be close to support them.SW: What country in the Americas do you believe shows the most promise to step up in the agricultural world?AS: Awesome question that probably needs a crystal ball to answer. There are various great countries producing seeds and moving ahead with high yields and huge production in the Americas, all of them with great facilities and innovation tech-SW: What is the main goal you have set out to achieve asniques. Talking about grains, Brazil and the U.S. are two of the president of SAA? largest producers in the world, not only for the Americas, but for AS: We would love to have an organization that can bring solu- the rest of the world, followed very closely by Argentina. tions to the national seed associations and its members (seedWhen we move to vegetables, there is a great competitive-companies) with the main issues that affect them. Together,ness between Chile and Mexico as the main producers and with the board members and SAA staff, we work towards theexporters in the Americas. We must take in consideration that recognition of SAA as the voice of the seed industry within theinflation is affecting several of these countries and reducing their Americas. Thats why SAA has four important working groups:potential to grow. Argentina and Brazil in particular, but even biotechnology, phytosanitary, seed treatments and intellectualfurther developed countries do not escape this situation, and this property.could, in some way, affect their ability to produce and export. For biotechnology and plant breeding innovation, we areCounter season production is key to accelerate processes and currently working for a better understanding and acceptanceguarantee access to better varieties. Argentina, Chile, Peru and of gene editing in all countries. We need to tackle phytosanitaryUruguay are great partner countries to those in the northern issues, such as seed testing at the borders, amount of researchhemisphere.seed to be sampled, time to get permits, you name them, we need agility in this area to give growers the seeds they needSW: What's the biggest concern you see on the minds of without delays. Seed treatments, with the understanding thatSAA members right now?protecting our seeds is the most critical aspect in the initial phaseAS: A big concern from an association perspective I have is of production. We need to follow clear stewardship programs.the need to strengthen member participation at SAA to better And last, intellectual property. If we understand and respect therepresent the industry. We need a unified voice in the whole rights of an innovator, all seed stakeholders will benefit from R&Dcontinent that can speak for all its members to promote and discovery. Out of those critical goals, in my opinion, the mostfacilitate seed trade in the Americas and globally. This voice important would be the phytosanitary issue because of the directis the reference for key topics and important aspects we are implication of moving seeds for research and development. discussing worldwide, such as intellectual property, new breed-ing techniques and phytosanitary issues. Another major concern SW: How has this goal shifted in light of current issuesis the war against Ukraine. The human toll is unimaginable. It is such as supply chain interruptions? affecting prices of raw materials and increasing cost of produc-AS: In order to solve all phytosanitary issues, what we needtion, creating an unpredictable situation in the supply chain of most is agility. Of course, other aspects need to be solved asseeds.SW42/ SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER 2022"