The Congress
Ladies and Gentlemen, dear Colleagues,
A changing world creates many challenges for agriculture. Increasing population, evolving human needs and associated demands for food and energy production requires a response from agricultural production at a time of increasing uncertainty as to the effect of climate change. Agriculture needs to deliver high food quality and provide food security. To achieve these aims the farmer needs to have, as an unavoidable prerequisite, access to high quality seed of unsurpassed varieties.
The International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) has been involved in the assessment and control of seed quality at the international level since 1924. After more than 8 decades of intensive work much has been achieved: international harmonization of the testing methodology; harmonization of seed testing laboratory performance; the establishment of close international collaboration in seed science and research; and the training of seed analysts in workshops all over the world to competence levels required to deliver harmonized seed quality measurement. This has not only facilitated the international trade of seeds, but has also provided the farmer with a guarantee of the quality of the seed he uses.
From June 16th to 22nd 2010, on invitation of the German Ministry of Food Agriculture and Consumer Protection, the International Seed Testing Association will host its 29th Congress in the wonderful city of Cologne in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Under the motto "Application and improvements of established and advanced technologies in seed testing", Seed Scientists and Seed Analysts from the public and the private sector from all over the world and representatives of the currently 73 ISTA member Governments will meet to discuss the latest developments in seed science, seed technology, seed testing and seed quality policies.
I cordially invite you all to join us at this extremely important event and I am looking forward to meet you all in person in Cologne, Germany.
With kind regards
Dr. Michael Muschick
ISTA Secretary General
