Inadequate Regional Seed Marketing

There is a lack of collaboration, consultation and harmonization at the regional and continental levels concerning the development, movement and use of high-yielding vegetatively propagated materials and seed. This has led to unduly restrictive seed certification and variety release requirements, which differ from country to country, and which, together with excessive phytosanitary and foreign currency regulations, function as non-tariff barriers that hamper seed exchange. Better coordination and capacity building are needed at the national, regional and continental levels to overcome the constraints related to seed trade through harmonization of seed rules and improved policies and regulations, taking into account the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).