Decatur, IL and Nyon, Switzerland (June 29, 2021) - Seed Today is a media partner for the International Seed Federation (ISF) Virtual Congress July 5-7.

Seed Today Editor Chris Lusvardi talks with ISF Regulatory Affairs Manager Szabolcs Ruthner about gene editing regulations and provide an update about important policy issues for the global seed industry. The session will be from 12:00-12:30 CEST (5-5:30 a.m. CT).

Registration is open through July 1. For more information and the full schedule, see below or go to congress.worldseed.org.

Nyon Switzerland (June 14, 2021) - According to Secretary General Michael Keller, the International Seed Federation (ISF) is very excited to present the 2021 ISF Virtual Congress, this year’s most important online event in the seed sector.

Keller says this unique three-day experience from July 5-7, 2021 brings together industry leaders and partners in a dynamic setup of international panels, keynote speeches, interviews, showcase of innovations, and live interactions – open to all via an online platform.

Do not miss our incredible lineup of featured speakers from the seed sector and beyond :

Monday, July 5

Opening Ceremony, 13:00-14:00 CEST

  • Keynote speaker: Peter Bakker, CEO – WBCSD and Chair of the Private Sector Guidance Group of the UN Food Systems Summit
  • Donald Coles, President, ISF
  • Michael Keller, Secretary General
  • Live Q&A with all delegates
  • Moderated by Claire Doole (former BBC journalist and international spokeswoman) and Francine Sayoc (ISF Communications Manager)

Panel session 1: “UN Food Systems Summit and the many roles of seed”, 14:00-15:00 CEST

Panelists

  • Erik Fyrwald, CEO, Syngenta
  • Franck Berger, CEO, Limagrain Vegetable Seeds
  • Mary Ann Sayoc, Public Affairs Lead, East-West Seed
  • Ruramiso Mashumba, Farmer- Entrepreneur, World Farmers Organisation
  • Live Q&A with all delegates
  • Moderated by Claire Doole

Tuesday, July 6

Panel session 2: “International seed trade and COVID-19: Key learnings for the future”, 11:00-12:30 CEST

  • Keynote presentation: Csaba Gaspar, Program Manager, OECD Seed Schemes

Panelists

  • Lee Ann Jackson, Head of the Agro-food Trade and Markets Division, OECD
  • Arthur Santosh Attavar, Chairman and Managing Director, Indo-American Hybrid Seeds
  • May Chodchoey, Executive Director, APSA
  • Szabolcs Ruthner, Regulatory Affairs Manager, ISF
  • Live Q&A with all delegates
  • Moderated by Marcel Bruins, Bruins Consultancy

Panel session 3: “Addressing emerging plant diseases to achieve resilient food systems”, 13:00-14:00 CEST

Panelists

  • Nico Horn, Director-General, EPPO
  • Frank Claessens, Vice President of Operations, BASF Vegetable Seeds
  • Jean Ristaino, Professor of Entomology and Plant Pathology, NC State University
  • Michael Leader, Seed Regulatory Lead-Asia, Bayer
  • Live Q&A with all delegates
  • Moderated by Rose Souza Richards, Seed Health Manager, ISF

Wednesday, July 7

“Trade, an Essential Contribution to Food Systems", 13:00-13:30 CEST

  • Keynote speaker: Doaa Abdel-Motaal, Senior Counsellor, World Trade Organization
  • Live Q&A with all delegates

Panel session 4: “The future of the seed business – Our contribution to resilience”, 13:30-14:30 CEST

Panelists

  • Marco van Leeuwen, Managing Director, Rijk Zwaan
  • Eric Dereudre, Global External Affairs Director, Corteva
  • Truels Damsgaard, CEO, DLF
  • Lorena Basso, CEO, Semillas Basso
  • Live Q&A with all delegates
  • Moderated by Claire Doole

Best of all, Keller says you can take part in the conversation through the live Q&A in each panel. Get ready to connect, engage, and be part of the action. Click here to register today.

ISF is the voice of the global seed sector. It has represented the interests of its members since 1924, and represents 96% of the international seed trade today. With a global reach extending to members around the world and official observer status in intergovernmental and international organizations, ISF is uniquely positioned to assist in the development of government policy and business strategy.

Related Article: Incotec Takes Sponsor Role At The International Seed Federation Virtual Congress 2021 6/23

Registration Is Open For International Seed Federation (ISF) Virtual Congress 2021 To Be Held July 5-7

Nyon, Switzerland (May 26, 2021) - Some weeks ahead of the pre-summit of the UN Food Systems Summit 2021 and with the world still in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, building resilient food systems takes the center stage. Our current situation highlights the important role of seed to ensure the harvests of tomorrow: how do we leverage the widely recognized role of seed as an essential good and a key contributor to agricultural production to the discussion on future food systems?

With focus on this, the International Seed Federation (ISF), as the voice of the private seed sector, is continuing its engagement. In July, ISF Secretary General Michael Keller says they are organizing a virtual congress that brings together industry leaders and external partners in a dynamic setup of international panels, keynote speeches, showcase of innovations, and live interactions – open to all via an online platform.

The ISF Virtual Congress will be held July 5-7, 2021.

The link between food systems, sustainable agriculture, plant breeding innovation, and seed movement will be discussed by a line-up of industry leaders and experts in a three-day virtual event open to all:

Monday, July 5

  • Opening Ceremony, 13:00-14:00 CEST
  • Panel session 1: “UN Food Systems Summit and the many roles of seed”, 14:00-15:00 CEST

Tuesday, July 6

  • Panel session 2: “International seed trade and COVID-19: Key learnings for the future”, 11:00-12:30 CEST
  • Panel session 3: “Addressing emerging plant diseases to achieve resilient food systems”, 13:00-14:30 CEST

Wednesday, July 7

  • Panel session 4: “The future of the seed business – Our contribution to resilience”, 13:00-14:30 CEST

These sessions, along with several side events hosted by our sponsors, will be held live from a studio and streamed on Channel World Seed. All these will be available on the congress website, where you will have access to the broadcast of the international panels and sponsored content and will be able to participate in the live discussions. Other elements of the virtual platform include a live chat, forum wall, resource center, and an area to create a profile. Participation is at no cost to you.

Registration is now open

Visit the ISF Virtual Congress landing page congress.worldseed.org to register and check back regularly for details of the program and speakers.

International Seed Federation's World Seed Congress Switches To An All-Virtual Format July 5-7

Nyon, Switzerland (May 6, 2021) - The International Seed Federation (ISF) announced changes to plans to hold the World Seed Congress this year.

In a letter, ISF Secretary General Michael Keller says plans to hold the event in Barcelona, Spain have been postponed until 2022. The 2021 meeting will shift to a fully virtual congress setup, with free access for everyone July 5-7.

Keller's letter says:

"We have been through quite a journey last year, with a global health crisis that has affected all aspects of our personal and professional lives. While we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel as vaccinations are taking place in many countries, there remains a lot of uncertainty in many places of the world.

"What we do know for sure is that the health and well-being of our members, delegates, sponsors, exhibitors, partners and staff has been – and will always be – our highest priority.

"We have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Spain. Last week, we conducted a site visit to Barcelona, together with our Spanish National Organizing Committee, congress organizer and congress venue management. Parallel discussions have also taken place with our sponsors and partners to assess the situation and to determine the best option for you and the global seed community.

"In light of the continued uncertainty of the situation, we have made the decision to postponethe ISF World Seed Congress 2021 in Barcelona to next year, 2022.

"We believe that resetting the scene for Barcelona next year would be a wise choice, as the city remains one of the most attractive business and tourism centers in Europe. Our Spanish NOC has been incredibly supportive, and we trust that our partnership will carry us through to next year. We are determined to provide you an onsite congress that serves as the quintessential global business and trading platform for the seed sector.

"At the same time, we would like to thank our colleagues from South Africa for their exceptional openness and understanding in accepting to delay the hosting of the ISF World Seed Congress yet again. We are extremely grateful for their all-out support in making this transition possible.

"This year, we will shift to a fully virtual congress setup, which will be accessible to everyone for free July 5-7, 2021. You will receive further information on the program and registration to the virtual platform. Those who have already registered for Barcelona will be reimbursed, keeping only a small administrative fee of €50. Our core PCO, K.I.T. Group GmbH, will follow up with detailed information on refunding and hotel cancellation for the registered delegates.

"Over the coming weeks, we will continue to update you on how you can take part in the continuing dialogue on critical topics like the UN Food Systems Summit, plant breeding innovation, seed movement, and others. We strive to bring you a worthwhile virtual experience and to stay connected despite physical limitations. Our mission continues; therefore, we must remain engaged!

"Stay tuned and stay positive as we are keeping positive in ISF ! Seed is life.

"Kind regards, on behalf of the Asociación Nacional de Obtentores Vegetales (ANOVE) and Asociación de Empresas Productoras de Semillas Selectas (APROSE) Committee and the ISF Secretariat."

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