The British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB) has welcomed comments from Conservative Peer the Earl of Caithness highlighting the existential threat facing horticulture growers’ access to improved varieties as a result of the increased costs, delays and bureaucracy facing the UK plant breeding and seeds sector post-Brexit, according to a press release. During a House of Lords debate on the report titled “Sowing the Seeds: A Blooming English Horticultural Sector” on Friday, April 19, the former transport and environment minister highlighted a significant oversight. He pointed out that out ..read more

High speed Rothamsted camera shows posture and wingbeat patterns in detail for the first time. A state-of-the-art camera with high frame rates and high resolution has shown the flight dynamics of two aphid species in unmatched detail for the first time, according to a press release from Rothamsted Research.  The take-off and free flight of Drepanosiphum platanoidis and Myzus persicae, both common crop pests, were studied in still air using ultra slow-motion, high-speed photography in high definition (HD), the release notes. The wing tip and body posture were tracked to show how they ..read more

Numerous industry associations and organizations, dedicated to fostering innovation in biotechnology and biomanufacturing, enthusiastically welcomed the European Commission’s latest initiative, according to a press release posted on the Euroseeds website. By embracing the potential of biotechnology and biomanufacturing across various sectors, the strategy represents a significant step toward meeting future demands. It also aligns with the EU’s long-term strategic objectives, particularly in terms of enhancing health security, economic growth, and sustainability. “Several industry as ..read more

Euroseeds welcomes the European Parliament’s confirmation of its positive stance on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) Since the EU Council did not come to a conclusion on the file, yet it is now up to member states to pave the way for Europe embracing agricultural innovation. With an upholding majority, the European Parliament confirms its support and with this underlines the potential of NGTs to enhance competitiveness, sustainability and food security. Euroseeds welcomes this confirmation and the European Parliament’s commitment to fostering scientific progress and evidence-based policymaking i ..read more

The following statement was posted to the Euroseeds website: Following the European Parliament’s plenary vote on a new Regulation for Plant Reproductive Material (PRM), Euroseeds reaffirms its strong concerns in relation to parts of the current text and renews its commitment to constructive engagement and dialogue with the members of the European Parliament as well as Council and Commission in the further process. Euroseeds recently again conveyed these fundamental concerns through a joint letter together with a coalition of stakeholders including Copa-Cogeca, Europatat, Coceral, the European ..read more

Light-based sensors could offer an early warning system for detecting pollen beetle infestations in oilseed rape crops. Hi-tech optical sensors in fields could provide an effective means of monitoring beetle numbers arriving in oilseed rape (OSR) fields, according to a new study from Rothamsted Research. Results from an optically sensed field were compared with those from fields baited with standard water traps and those where counting was done manually in the field. The optical sensors detected an increase in pollen beetles two days earlier than the water traps and four days earlie ..read more

The insecticide is the first of its king for field crops like oilseed rape and cereals. Bayer announced a partnership with AlphaBio Control, a UK-based firm, to obtain an exclusive license for a pioneering biological insecticide. A Bayer news release said the product, set for a potential 2028 launch, will be the first of its kind for field crops such as oilseed rape and cereals, following further development and registration. AlphaBio, which discovered this insecticide, also collaborates with Bayer in distributing FLiPPER®, a bioinsecticide-acaricide. Benoit Hartmann, head of Biologics at Bay ..read more

A closer look at regenerative agriculture and its benefits to farmers. WHY IT MATTERS  There’s been a lot of buzz about regenerative agriculture in recent years, with multinational companies such as PepsiCo, Unilever, General Mills and many others all pledging to work hard to establish regenerative agriculture practices in their supply chains. To get an inside look at this phenomenon, Seed World Europe checked in with a wide cross-section of seed value chain experts: Guy Montet, Forage & Cover Crops Technical Development Manager at Lidea; Bruno Hoeltgebaum, Business Director at ..read more

Ask yourself: when was the last time that you allowed yourself to change your mind on a deep-rooted belief?  The key in that question is ‘allowed yourself’ because that is the trouble with those deep-rooted beliefs. They are so deeply and firmly anchored into your convictions, sense of self and view of the world that it is incredibly hard to give yourself permission to change those convictions… even if they might not be right. Like most people, I have deep-rooted beliefs about certain topics, including several in the agriculture and seed sectors. I’m proud to say I have successfully ..read more

The Seed World editors — covering Canada, Europe, Latin America and the U.S. — discuss the biggest stories making waves right now in the seed industry. The post What are the Key Issues Facing the Seed Industry Around The Globe? appeared first on Seed World ..read more