Biotech Updates

Harmonization of Seed Policies in 19 African Countries

March 18, 2011

The European Union provided support to the Africa trade organization Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to lead in the harmonization of seed policies and regulations within the 19 African countries that comprise the group. Harmonization of seed policies will allow countries with comparable geography, climate and soil to adapt similar seed policy regulations. The Iowa State University's Seed Science Center laid the groundwork of the policy harmonization.

"Harmonization is a good concept," said Manjit Misra, director of the Seed Science Center. "When you harmonize, good things happen. You are getting the product into the region, and these countries need to have better seed. That leads to collaboration and trade within the region and across different regions, getting trade moving."

For more on this article, see the news at  http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2011/mar/SSCComesa