ESA answered the public consultation on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy. Plant breeding and seed companies work closely with farmers, providing them with innovative and efficient tools. Farmers need today advanced tools to cope with major challenges. At the beginning of the agri-food chain, seeds represent a fundamental input for farmers. They rely on high-quality varieties, able to satisfy farmers’ needs.

It is important that the next CAP will recognise and support collaborations among the different stakeholders of the agri-food chain. Farmers delivering food security, environmental services and landscape management requires full support by all the agri-food actors, staring from plant breeding and seed companies. Innovation is key to that, and the CAP needs to ensure farmers the possibility to have access to that. All relevant measures should be adopted towards that end. Investments in advanced solutions should be promoted. Europe will only capitalise fully on its innovative capacity if resulting products and services are made available to and can be taken up by farmers.

Read the statement from the seed sector 'Plant breeding and seed sector’s considerations on the next CAP'.