Issues of
developing breeding and seed production and increasing the self-sufficiency of
the Eurasian Economic Union States with own seeds of agricultural crops were
discussed by representatives of state authorities, the business community,
sectoral public associations and scientific and educational organizations of
the EAEU countries during a consultation organized at the Eurasian Economic
Commission’s venue.Artak Kamalyan, EEC Minister in charge of Industry and Agriculture,
reported on the Commission’s work in this direction. In particular, the
measures taken by the Commission and the Union countries for full functioning
of the common market of seeds and mutual recognition of documents on their
varietal and sowing characteristics.
“This has been
made possible after adopting the Agreement on Circulation of Seeds of
Agricultural Plants within the EAEU dated November 7, 2017. Work in this
direction does not stand still. Just a month later, it is planned to approve at
the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council’s meeting a List of measures to unify the
Union States’ national legislation in the fields of variety testing and seed
production," Artak Kamalyan noted.
According to the EEC Minister, adopting this document will help develop
cooperation ties in breeding and seed production of the EAEU countries based on
common approaches to regulation that will ultimately affect the increase of
self-sufficiency of agricultural manufacturers with high-yielding varieties and
high-quality seeds as well as competitiveness growth of the Union’s
agricultural sectors.
The Minister
stressed that the EAEU had currently formed a regulatory and procedural
framework contributing to unhindered circulation of seeds within the Union. The
EAEU has ensured mutual recognition of the Member States’ documents on the
quality of seeds, common methods for determining the sowing characteristics of
seeds are used as well as common methods for determining varietal qualities are
used since this January 1. The procedure for forming and maintaining the
unified register of varieties within the Union’s integrated information system
has been determined. Besides, the Strategy for Developing the Eurasian Economic
Integration until 2025 provides for developing and implementing joint measures
to develop breeding and seed production as well as to further unify national
legislation in variety testing and seed production.
As of year-end 2020, the import of seeds to the EAEU exceeded 1 bln
dollars, more than 80% of which is accounted for sunflower seeds, corn, sugar
beet, vegetable crops and planting material of fruit crops. The meeting
attendees expressed a consensus that this issue was directly related to
ensuring the Union’s food security to resolve which a set of measures should be
taken. They include state regulation and support of agricultural plant breeding
and seed production industries and cooperation between science and business.
The event resulted in placing a number of proposals on the Commission's
agenda. In particular, the need to elaborate a draft program for developing
breeding and seed production in the Union countries and fund raising for the
Union’s research (breeding) programs was noted.
Furthermore, the proposals
submitted by the meeting attendees have been reflected in joint resolution and
will be used in implementing strategic initiatives disclosed by the Heads of
the EAEU countries to develop integration in the agricultural sector in general
and supporting areas – breeding and seed production, in particular.