The first American Seed Research Summit brought together leaders in public
and private sector seed research to outline a strategic plan to help address
the various hurdles facing seed research - training and education, funding,
research trend, prioritization and public-private partnerships.
Finding solutions and providing resourceful partnerships is critical because
seed innovation and technology plays a vital role in meeting the growing
demand for food, feed, fiber and fuel.

The summit held on Sept. 25-26 in Chicago, brought together research leaders
from industry academia and government to identify major seed research
challenges and to develop a national strategy and action plan to solve those
challenges. Over 40 representatives attended the two-day event sponsored by
the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), the American Seed Research
Foundation (ASRF) and the National Council of Commercial Plant Breeders
(NCCPB). ASRF President Rob Robinson remarked that the first American Seed
Research Summit was a resounding success. "Some of the brightest research
leaders in industry, government and academia participated in creating an
action plan that promises to move American seed research forward
dramatically in the years to come."

The summit resulted in an outline of five strategic goals to enhance seed
research opportunities which focus on strengthening public-private
partnerships, strong advocacy and stable funding, human technical capacity
and interest in high quality plant research, regulatory systems that support
innovation and efficiency of operation, and public awareness about the value
of seed research. The participants defined key results and strategies to
address each goal as well as near term actions to jump start the plan. In
addition, specific gaps in seed research were reviewed and priorities were
identified. "Positive progress was made in identifying gaps in seed
research, and starting the process to address these needs unselfishly by
industry, government and universities," said NCCPB Past President Fritz
Behr.

A White Paper will be prepared by the American Seed Research Summit Steering
Committee. Once prepared, each sponsoring organization will endorse the
paper which will then guide future activities among the groups as well as
the other participants of the summit. Robinson concluded, "It was surprising
to see such broad agreement among the group as to the issues American seed
research faces and the priorities we must address in the near future to
ensure our global leadership in seed and plant biotechnology research. Now
it is essential that we focus all of the resources necessary to execute on
this plan."

About ASTA
Founded in 1883, ASTA, located in Alexandria, Va., is one of the oldest
trade organizations in the United States. Its membership consists of
approximately 750 companies involved in seed production and distribution,
plant breeding, and related industries in North America. As an authority on
plant germplasm, ASTA advocates science and policy issues of industry
importance. Its mission is to enhance the development and free movement of
quality seed worldwide.

About ASRF
ASRF is an extension of the activities of the former ASTA Seed Laboratory
Committee, which was active during the 1940s and 1950s. In 1959, the
American Seed Trade Association established ASRF as a tax exempt,
scientific, benevolent, and educational organization, to raise and
distribute funds for seed research. The mission of ASRF is to encourage
research in plant and seed biology and to facilitate the transfer of
resulting technology to benefit the seed industry, farmers and consumers on
a global basis.

The mission of the NCCPB is to promote, technically and ethically, the
interests of professional U.S. plant breeders' worldwide. This includes
fostering collaboration and cooperation among plant breeding and improvement
organizations, encouraging public and private funding for plant breeding
research and development, recognizing scientific achievement of plant
breeders and supporting effective systems of intellectual property
protection.
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