The Seeds Industry
Latest Developments
- On 17 December 2001, the Minister announced the establishment of Australian Seeds Authority (ASA) Limited.
Did You Know...
Seed is the most important input into any crop or pasture. Seed is carefully assessed to ensure both value for money and quality - varietal purity, physical purity, and physiological qualities.
Seeds
Seeds comprise one of the most important commodities moving in international trade, in terms of potential productivity and consequently standards of living. Most crops throughout the world are dependent on seeds, and it is becoming increasingly important that scientific standards and directions be maintained in the international seed trade.
From Australia's point of view, access by our seed exporters to international seed markets is heavily dependent on official Australian participation in the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) and the OECD Seeds schemes, to ensure maintenance of genetic purity of seed stocks and to facilitate trade in certified seed.
The OECD Seeds Scheme
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Seeds Scheme prescribes common rules for certifying seed for movement in international trade. The Scheme is a government-to-government arrangement.
AFFA is currently responsible for implementation of the OECD Seeds Scheme in Australia. Under a long-standing arrangement it has delegated most of the operational functions to a number of organisations, mainly State and Territory departments responsible for agriculture, which have the facilities and expertise for testing and certifying seed under the Scheme.
In recent years, increased competition and the commercialisation of State agencies has resulted in a high rate of change within the seeds industry in Australia. The seeds industry felt that increased industry involvement would be appropriate in the administration of the OECD Seeds Schemes, and other issues affecting the industry.
A business plan outlining the development of an industry run body to administer the OECD Seeds Scheme was commissioned in 1999 by the Seeds Industry Association of Australia and the Grains Council of Australia.
Following further planning, in August 2001 the Australian Seeds Committee, comprising representatives from industry, Commonwealth and state governments, met to discuss the future administrative arrangements of the seed industry. The outcome was a joint agreement to progress an Australian Seeds Authority (ASA) to manage seed certification and accreditation in Australia.
The Federal Minister and state agricultural ministers agreed to provide start-up funding for the ASA, and industry is now working in consultation with government to establish the new Association.
For further information contact Field Crops Branch