AFSTA, the African Seed Trade Association, represents the seed industries in Africa and adjoining island states. AFSTA now has 55 members in 25 countries. It is a non-profit, non-political association with mission to promote development of seed industries and national seed associations, which will facilitate farmers' access to improved varieties.

New members include:

• Zagrit Seed Company (Libya)
• Monsanto Kenya Ltd (Kenya)
• Tanzania Seed Trade Association (TASTA)
• Association des Producteurs Privés de Semences du Niger (Niger)
• L. Daehnfeldt A/S (Denmark).

The 3rd Annual Congress held in Nairobi, Kenya on March 26-28, 2003, attracted 150 delegates from 35 countries. Delegates included representatives from regional and international bodies such as:

• ISF - International Seed Federation
• OECD - Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
• ISTA - International Seed Testing Association
• APSA - Asia Pacific Seed Association
• OAPI - African Organization for Intellectual Property
• ARIPO - African Regional Intellectual Property Rights Organization
• FAO - UN Food and Agricultural Organization
• ASARECA - Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa
• GTZ - German Agency for International Cooperation

A major issue under discussion was harmonization of regional seed laws and regulations. Such harmonization will facilitate trans-border movement of seed to alleviate endemic seed shortages, thereby improving seed security and food production security. Several speakers gave reviews of seed laws in their regions and AFSTA wishes to express its appreciation for progress made, especially in East Africa. However, there is some concern about slow implementation of harmonized regulations at national level in some countries.

The Model Laws of the African Union on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and on Safety in Biotechnology are considered models that should be studied. Both contain articles, which may not be in harmony with international agreements or in the interest of seed security. It is essential that seed industry members liaise with their national government regulators so as to ensure that laws on IPR and Biosafety are harmonized with international agreements and within the region.

AFSTA has been involved in several training programmes for the seed industry, one being agribusiness management presented in Nairobi (English) and Douala (French) as well as the ATRIP Programme in West Africa. Various training and capacity building projects on biotechnology and biosafety are in process in Africa. Most of these projects are aimed at government officials. AFSTA considers it necessary that seed industry members also become involved in receiving such training.

AFSTA Position on Vegetable Seed Regulations:

AFSTA recommends that vegetable seeds should not be subject to mandatory certification in Africa. They should be traded under the label of "standard seed" or "truthfully labeled seed" as is the case in Europe, America and Asia.

Official Certification should be optional i.e. if the owners of varieties wanted to register their varieties for particular reasons, they would approach the relevant authority and abide by the prevailing regulations for seed certification in the country. However, vegetable seeds offered to farmers must be of high quality and "standard seed" or "truthfully labeled seed" should not in any case imply low quality seed.

All the basic international seed trade rules should be applied especially the labeling code to permit a possible follow-up control by the officials during distribution.

The AFSTA General Assembly elected the following new members to the Board of Directors:

• Mr. Abderraouf Ghariani (Tunisia)
• Mr. Mark Sachs (South Africa)
• Mr. Marcel Kanungwe (Zambia)

Members of the Board to represent Associate Members have been formally confirmed as follows:

• Mr. François Burgaud (Groupement National Interprofessionnel des Semences et Plants, France)
• Mr. Mark Condon (American Seed Trade Association, USA)

Mr. Adeyemi Joshua from Nigeria was appointed Chairman of the Committee for Tropical Plants and Harmonization. Mr. Abderraouf Ghariani was appointed Chairman of the PR and Communications Committee to replace Mr. Van der Walt who had retired.

AFSTA has awarded the first honorary life membership to three persons in recognition of their services in the establishment and functioning of AFSTA:

• Mr. Nathaniel Tum (Past President of AFSTA, Kenya)
• Mr. Bernard Le Buanec (Secretary-General of ISF, Switzerland)
• Mr. Wynand van der Walt (Former AFSTA Board, South Africa)

The 4th Annual Congress of AFSTA will be held in Tunis, Tunisia, on March 24-26, 2004. An exciting program is being developed and all interested parties are invited to attend.

Mr. Guy-Blaise Satsa
President, AFSTA

Mr. Justin Joseph Rakotoarisaona
Secretary-General, AFSTA