Alexandria, Virginia, USA
January 25, 2011

More than 800 vegetable and flower seed industry representatives from across the globe have gathered for a joint meeting held by the American Seed Trade Association and the California Seed Association Jan. 22-25 in Huntington Beach, Calif.

“These meetings are designed to be a forum for seed businesses to come together and move issues forward,” says Andy LaVigne, ASTA president and chief executive officer. “Issues on the table include creating standards for phytosanitary requirements to make the movement of seed more efficient, understanding the atmosphere surrounding patenting of native traits and how the seed industry can help facilitate coexistence at a national level.”

This four day conference not only provides a forum for vegetable and flower seed industry representatives to discuss issues that impact the industry, but also highlights new technologies in the industry, the work of each association and businesses that serve the seed industry.

The conference trading room showcases more than 30 exhibitors ranging in business from seed packaging services to seed testing laboratories and from equipment providers to software solutions.

ASTA is comprised of nearly 700 companies involved in seed production and distribution, plant breeding and related industries in North America. Priority areas of the Association include state and local issues, domestic policy, intellectual property, education and outreach and global agricultural policy.

Website: http://www.amseed.org

Published: January 25, 2011