Seed Info Newsletter No. 26, January 2004

MEETINGS and COURSES

Announcements of meetings, seminars, workshops and training courses are made. Please send us national, regional or international announcements for workshops, seminars and training courses organized in your country for inclusion in the next issue

Conferences

Third AFSTA Congress, 24-26 March 2004 Tunis, Tunisia. The AFSTA congress will take place in Tunis, from 24-26 March 2004. Adequate support was secured to make the occasion a well-attended event. For more information contact: Mr. Raouf Ghariani, Managing Director, Espace Vert, 22, Rue 7134 El Manar II, Tunis, Tunisia; Tel: ++216-7-333858; Fax: ++216-71-344158; E-mail: espace.vert@planet.tn

ESAS 2004 Conference: Seed Industry-Future and Challenges, 19-21 April 2004, Cairo, Egypt. The conference will be organized and hosted by the Egyptian Seed Association and will discuss a variety of issues pertaining to the international and regional investment in the seed sector. The main purpose of the event is to enhance export of seeds, fresh and processed vegetables by bringing together the scientist and experts from universities, research institutes, seed industry and organizations from the world to share their views and visions. For more information, contact: ESAS, 35 Gamet El- dowal El-Arabia St., Mohandesseen, Giza, Egypt; Fax: ++20-2-7498994; E-mail: events@esasegypt.org or info@esasegypt.org; Website: http://www.esasegypt.org

27th ISTA Congress, May 13-24, 2004, Budapest, Hungary. The Congress in Budapest will be divided into three parts: (i). ISTA Technical Committees meetings (13-15 May); (ii) ISTA Seed Symposium (17-19 May); and (iii) Ordinary Meeting of ISTA (20-21 May). The Post-Congress tours will be from 22-24 May 2003.

The meetings of Technical Committees will discuss the International Rules for Seed Testing, training and education program, new publications of the Technical Committees and Rules Changes 2004. These meetings are open to all representatives of public and private sector and interested seed scientists. The ISTA Seed Symposium will be held under theme 'Towards the future in seed production, evaluation and improvement' and is structured into 7 sessions. During the Ordinary Meeting the voting delegates, appointed by their respective governments of 73 ISTA member countries, will decide on the latest rules change proposals, governance, voting rights and the authorization rights to issue ISTA Certificates.

After the historic changes of the ISTA Constitution in the 1995, the 27th Congress could become a significant milestone in the history of ISTA. For more details please contact: ISTA, Zuerichstrasse 50, P.O. Box 308, 8303 Bassersdorf, Switzerland; Tel: ++41-1-8386000; Fax ++41-1-8386001; E-mail: ista.office@ista.ch; Website: http://www.seedtest.org

World Seed Congress 2004, 24-26 May 2004, Berlin, Germany. The annual ISF Congress will take place in Berlin, Germany on 24-26 May 2004. Berlin expects to see a record number of delegates from over 70 countries. The congress provides a: (i) forum for discussion on topics ranging from crop specific issues to trade and arbitration to intellectual property and plant breeding; (ii) meeting place for colleagues to exchange scientific, technical and commercial information; and (iii) floor for trading seed and planting material, and exhibition booths. The ISF Breeders Committee will organize an international seminar on Intellectual Property and Access to Plant Genetic Resources after the congress on 27 and 28 May 2004. The main items on the agenda are: (i) Essential derivation: codes of conduct for several crops and possible arbitration procedures in case of disputes; (ii) Organic agriculture: use of organic seed, coexistence of organic and other forms of agriculture; (iii) Sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and raw materials; (iv) Presentation of the German seed industry; (v) Traceability and identity preservation; and (vi) Plant/pest relationship: recommended terminology to be used by ISF members. For more information, contact the ISF Secretariat: Chemin du Reposoir 7, 1260 Nyon, Switzerland; Fax: ++41-22-3654421; E-mail: isf@worldseed.org; Website: http://www.worldseed.org

Training

Genetic Resources and Intellectual Property Rights-Pathways for Development, 3-21 May 2004, Svalöv, Sweden: In recent times, there has been a growing appreciation of the role of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in stimulating human capital formation, knowledge diffusion, benefit sharing and technological innovation, necessary for national development. International conventions and treaties together with the rapid biotechnology development have led to new conditions for the access of genetic resources and knowledge. The Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) and the requirements under WTO/ TRIPS have led to stricter mechanisms for access to and control of genetic resources as well as new regimes for protection of biological innovations. This new environment has created both threats and opportunities for countries in the developing world which must develop a clear understanding of the development and its implications. However, the IPR controlling access and transfers of genetic resources are increasingly complex, the literature is vast and incomprehensive, models are complex, and options are many. Thus, policy makers, scientists and other practitioners especially in resource poor countries face a considerable challenge in formulating IPR policies and negotiating appropriate agreements. Recognizing this fact, the Swedish Biodiversity Center, Svaloöf Weibull AB and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) are offering a unique three week IPR /Genetic Resources Program. For information contact: Svalöf Weibull AB, Consultancy Department, SE-268 81 Svalöv, Sweden; Tel: ++46 418 66 70 00; Telefax: ++46 418 66 71 09; E-mail: consultants@swseed.com; Website: http://www.swseed.com