Government to Meet Agricultural Leaders on Seed Control Regime

The Argentine government, through the Secretariat of Agriculture, has convened a crucial meeting with the Mesa de Enlace, the country's leading agricultural organizations, to address the contentious issue of seed inspection and oversight. This dialogue is particularly significant given the seed industry's ongoing demands for greater recognition of intellectual property rights, a matter that has been a focal point of discussion for years.

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We have been asking for 20 years that they strengthen Inase and that there be more control.

Scheduled for Monday, the meeting will see participation from Minister of Deregulation and State Transformation, Federico Sturzenegger, alongside key officials from the Secretariat of Agriculture, including its head, Sergio Iraeta, and the president of the National Seed Institute (Inase), Martín Famulari. Representatives from prominent entities such as CREA, Aapresid, and the Argentine Seed Association (ASA) will also be present, underscoring the broad interest and importance of this discussion for the agricultural sector.

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The meeting on Monday would, in principle, be an instance of presentation by the Government. 'The Secretariat of Agriculture convened us and they would come to bring us a proposal for seed inspection control.'

The Federación Agraria Argentina (FAA), represented by Andrés Domínguez, has emphasized its long-standing call for strengthening Inase and enhancing control mechanisms. FAA president Andrea Sarnari stated that the entity has been advocating for these improvements for two decades. The organization views the strengthening of Inase as central to effective control, demanding greater territorial presence and fiscalization capacity. A particular focus will be placed on controlling the 'bolsa blanca,' or the informal seed circuit, which the FAA identifies as a historical problem stemming from control deficits, while acknowledging the legality of self-use.

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If there is a proposal for the control of inspected seed, in principle we agree with that objective. We have to see how it is implemented and what they are thinking. Then we will talk and give an answer to what they propose.

Regarding the potential transfer of control functions to the private sector, an idea floated by Minister Sturzenegger, Sarnari indicated that the FAA remains open to discussion but stressed that the state's central role must be preserved. The organization is prepared to listen to the government's proposal and will respond after careful consideration, prioritizing the objective of effective seed control while ensuring robust oversight.

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We are neither for nor against it. There can be specific agreements with private entities.