The document discusses the international seed trade and the International Seed Federation (ISF). It provides the following key details: - In 2011, the global seed market was worth $43 billion, with farm saved seed accounting for $15 billion and internationally traded seed totaling $8.3 billion. - The ISF has 228 members from 78 countries representing 96% of the international seed trade. It aims to facilitate international seed movement, represent the seed industry globally, and inform members of industry and regulatory developments. - The ISF engages with various international organizations on issues impacting the seed trade such as intellectual property, biosafety, and trade. It also has sections focused on specific crop types.

1. April 2012
Thomas Dietl, Montaraz

2. 2011:
WW Seed market:
43 billion USD
Farm Saved Seed:
15 billion USD
Internationally Traded:
8.3 billion USD 228 members from 78 countries
ISF members cover 96% of international seed trade
National seed associations represent >7500 seed companies

3. • National Associations representing seed companies and
enterprises within their countries
• 54 members from 41 countries
Ordinary members
• Seed companies or enterprises
• 98 members from 42 countriesAssociate members
• Service providers to the seed industry
• 26 members from 11 countries
Affiliate members
• National Seed Associations of tree and shrub seed
companies and / or individual companies active in this field
• 41 members from 25 countries
Tree and Shrub Seed
Group
• 9 Associations (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Gambia, Pakistan,
Paraguay, Russia, Sudan, Ukraine and Venezuela)Observers
ISF : membership

4. General Assembly => all ISF members
Board of Directors => 18-25 p.
Executive Committee
=> President, Vice Pres., 2nd Vice Pres., Past Pres., Treasurer, Chair Breeders Committee
President => 2 yrs term
General Secretariat => staff in Nyon, 6½ fte
Committees
Phytosanitary Breeders
Intellectual
Property
Sustainable
Agriculture
Seed Treatment
and
Environment
Trade and
Arbitration Rules
Sections
Forage & Turf
Crops
Field Crops
Sugar & Fodder
Beet
Vegetable &
Ornamental
Crops
Special Groups
Tree & Shrub
Seeds
+ International Seed
Health Initiative (ISHI)
+ 9 ad hoc WGs ISF Structure
April 2012

5.  Facilitate the international movement of
seed, related know-how and technology
See: www.worldseed.org

6.  Facilitate the international movement of seed, related know-
how and technology
 Mobilize and represent the seed industry at a
global level
 UPOV
 International Seed Testing Association (ISTA)
 OECD Seed Schemes / WG Regulatory Oversight in Biotech
 FAO
 International Treaty on PGRFA
 International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
 Committee on World Food Security (CFS)
 Codex Alimentarius
 CBD; Cartagena Biosafety Protocol (CBP) / Nagoya Protocol
 World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)
 World Trade Organisation (WTO) – SPS Agreement

7.  Facilitate the international movement of seed,
related know-how and technology
 Mobilize and represent the seed industry at a
global level
 Inform its members of developments within
the industry and in the international regulatory
environment
 Promote, on behalf of its members, the
interests and image of the seed industry

8. ISF Tree and Shrub Seed Group
A very active group & annual meetings since 1980 & location (>20 countries) is rotating

9. ISF Tree and
Shrub
Discussion
Group on
LinkedIn

10. Photograph sharing of
T&S meetings => 15
albums of pictures &
videos

11. Growing international seed trade
89 coniferous species
122 broad leaved species
32 tree seed companies replied

12. Growing international seed trade
• Cheap & fast transportation
• Development of hybrid varieties
• Higher speed of breeding & commercial processes
=> counter season breeding and production
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
MillionUS$
Year
Evolution of International Seed Trade
Source: International Seed Federation (ISF)
www.worldseed.org

13. Country 2008 Value 2010 (MT) 2010 Value
Georgia 1.4 53 3.7
Netherlands 4.5 55 1.6
USA 2.8 122 1.5
France * 53 0.9
Italy 0.8 41 0.8
Austria 1.5 9 0.7
Australia 1.6 * *
Hungary * 93 0.7
Germany * 19 0.6
Brazil 0.6 38 0.5
China 0.6 44 0.5
Sweden 0.5 * *
Belarus 0.5 * *
Mexico 0.5 63 0.5
Israel 0.5 2 0.5
Vanuatu 0.5 * *
TOTAL 16.3 12.5
MT = Metric Tons
Value = Mio USD
Conversion 1€ = 1.32$
Countries with > 05 mio USD
* = no data

14. Country 2008
Value
2010
(MT)
2010
Value
Country 2008
Value
2010
(MT)
2010
Value
Denmark 1.6 76 3.4 Bangladesh * 14 1
Netherlands 3.9 238 3.2 Greece * 35 0.9
USA 2.5 93 1.7 Australia 0.6 14 0.9
Costa Rica 2.2 * * Belgium 2 76 0.8
Sweden 1.6 * * Switzerland 0.7 * *
Germany 1 93 1.6 Japan * 29 0.5
Canada 1.5 * * Brazil * 8 0.5
Italy 1.1 * * Morocco * 29 0.5
Myanmar * 163 1 Iran 0.5 * *
Indonesia * 54 1 New Zealand 0.5 * *
Austria 1 30 1 TOTAL 20.7 18
MT = Metric Tons
Value = Mio USD
Conversion 1€ = 1.32$
Countries with > 05 mio USD
* = no data

15. International tree seed trade
Historically tree seed traded for many centuries across
borders
Evidence: early 1600’s in Europe & 1700’s US ↔ EU
(Picea, Pinus & other species)
Concl: All major countries have international tree seed
provenances in their territories.
Recent policy change: countries requiring national
provenance for reforestation etc.

16. 16
More information:
www.worldseed.org