Alexandria, Virginia, USA
June 21, 2012

The American Seed Trade Association kicked off its 129th Annual Convention by taking more than 99 seed industry experts to Capitol Hill to talk with their Congressional representatives about the 2012 Farm Bill, the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources, and science-based policies among other issues.

Participants represented 23 states from Oregon and California to Pennsylvania and Virginia, and seed business from large multi-national corporations to small- and medium-sized family operations.

When participants weren’t meeting with their Congressional representatives, they were attending briefings about a variety of subjects from organic seed production to conservation seed and from the 2012 Farm Bill to appropriations.

Participants received updates from House Committee on Agriculture Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN), House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Senate Committee on Agriculture Ranking Member Pat Roberts (R-KS).
Throughout the appointments and briefings, seed industry representatives stressed the importance of passing the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources.

“This Treaty has a direct impact on the global access, exchange and conservation of plant genetic resources,” says Leslie Cahill, ASTA vice president of government affairs. “It has the potential to advance the future of U.S. plant breeding, seed varietal development for farmers and the competitiveness of the seed industry.”

Following all the appointments and briefings, representatives and their staffs joined Storm the Hill Day participants for a reception.

“It was a great day and we were able to meet with a lot of people,” says Andy LaVigne, ASTA president and chief executive officer. “Today it’s more important than ever before to share the story of the seed industry and the issues that affect our businesses.”
 

Website: http://www.betterseed.org/

Published: June 21, 2012