This coming year the Association will become involved in projects for training seedsmen in business management, compilation of databases on national seed industries and participation in regional initiatives on trade liberalization and harmonization.

Africa is in the process of facilitating regional trade development, which requires harmonization of legislation. Improved availability of, and trade in improved seed can only be realized if national trade barriers are overcome through regulatory harmonization. The Congress covered progress reports from several regions. East Africa has shown the most progress including phytosanitary requirements reduced from 33 to 3 quarantine diseases, Similar initiatives supported by FAO, are underway in West Africa and Southern Africa.

Other contentious issues on the Congress agenda included intellectual property rights on plant varieties. South Africa and Kenya are members of UPOV and Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Zimbabwe and OAPI are in the process of acceding to the Convention. In West Africa the Accord de Bangui which provides for protection similar to UPOV, is expected to be rectified shortly by its 14 member states Provision of intellectual property rights is required to be in position before 2006 in order to comply with Trips 27.3(b) under WTO.

Africa has limited indigenous plant resources. The Convention on Biological Diversity and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Agriculture have now harmonized their provisions. This will facilitate exchange of germplasm in an orderly, multilateral system. Africa stands to gain much from beneficiation of its plant resources and intellectual property rights will assist in securing benefit sharing.

The AFSTA General Assembly meeting adopted a position statement on modern biotechnology as an efficient tool in enhancing food production and agricultural development. Africa clearly stands to gain from new unique traits in crop plants in order to reduce the losses caused by insects, pests, diseases and weeds. AFSTA encourages research and responsible application of agricultural biotechnology to improve productivity. It recommends that appropriate policies and programme be developed and that adequate regulations and protocols be set up as a priority to assess on a scientific basis potential health and environment risks. This is also required to comply with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

The AFSTA Congress 2002 concluded by electing new members to their Board of Directors.

LES MEMBRES DU CONSEIL D'ADMINISTRATION

• Guy Blaise Satsa, Président (CameroUn)
• Charles Price, Vice - Président (Malawi)
• Dr Vincent Gwarazimba (Zimbabwe)
• Dr Adeyemi Joshua (Nigeria)
• Alemu Getahun (Ethiopie)
• Amadou Djigo (Sénégal)
• Mouldi Ghanmi (Tunisie)
• Dr Wynand Van Der Walt (Afrique du Sud)
• Ms Josephine Okot (Uganda) membre nouvellement co-optée
• Eddie Randrianatsimbazafy (Madagascar) nouveau membre
• Dr Mohamed Farid (Egypte) nouveau membre
• Mark Gondon (ASTA, USA) membre associé
• François Burgaud (GNIS, France) membre associé

Mr. Nathaniel Tum, ancien Président, restera membre d'office du Conseil d'administration.