8/21/01
Contacts:Denis McGee, ISU Seed Science Center, (515) 294-7560Manjit Misra, ISU Seed Science Center, (515) 294-6821Brian Meyer, ISU Agriculture Communications, (515) 294-0706, [email protected]
NATIONAL SYSTEM TO ENHANCE SEED EXPORTS ESTABLISHED
AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University will administer a new system that should make it easier for American seed companies to export more than a billion dollars worth of products.
This summer the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) received final approval for the National Seed Health System, which will standardize seed health testing and field inspections nationwide and expand testing responsibilities to commercial labs.
APHIS designated the Seed Science Center in the College of Agriculture as the administrative unit for the new system. The center is one of nine that make up ISU's Plant Sciences Institute.
"The National Seed Health System will help facilitate the movement of seed worldwide," said Manjit Misra, director of the Seed Science Center. "Iowa State will provide leadership in promoting scientific understanding and standardization of the process."
The majority of commercial and research seeds exported from the United States require phytosanitary certificates that state the seeds are free of certain pests and diseases. Results of seed health tests or field inspections are used to obtain the federally issued certificates. However, methods for conducting tests and inspections differ from state to state, and only government or university labs are allowed to conduct them.
"Our mandate is to administer the accreditation of seed company labs or private seed testing labs," said Denis McGee, professor of plant pathology in the center. "Once accredited, the labs can conduct seed health tests and field inspections to meet phytosanitary requirements."
The center will provide the scientific information required to standardize tests. Much of that information comes from a database on seedborne diseases compiled by McGee and colleagues. The center is collaborating with experts around the country to standardize tests. The center will help train lab workers to conduct new tests.
Under the new system, ISU will continue to work with the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and USDA on resolving international trade conflicts. "Many phytosanitary regulations are simply trade barriers," said McGee. "For years, we've supplied science-based arguments to help resolve problems, and we've pushed for standardized testing methods."
The program will have links to international organizations that are working to improve the world's phytosanitary system. "The system needs to be more effective in preventing the spread of economically important plant pathogens by seeds, without imposing unnecessary barriers to the international movement of seeds," McGee said.
ISU has received $200,000 from ASTA, which represents 800 North American seed companies, to develop and implement the new system. Fees will allow the accreditation part of the system to be self-sustaining. With funds from other sources, the National Seed Health System will sponsor research on developing new tests and improving old ones.
The Plant Sciences Institute is supported through public and private funding. Its goal is to become one of the world's leading institutes for plant science research, education and unbiased research-based information. Researchers are developing ways to help feed the growing world population, strengthen human health and nutrition, improve crop quality and yield, foster environmental sustainability and expand the uses of plants for biobased products and bioenergy.
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