European Seed Association
The European Seed Association (ESA) is an interest group for the European seed industry. ESA represents more than 30 national seed associations and more than 70 companies.
structure
ESA was founded in November 2000 as an amalgamation of predecessor associations and companies to represent the seed industry with one voice at EU level (lobbying). The common organizational structure of the longer existing associations COSEMCO (seed trade, founded 1961), ASSOPOMAC (potato growers, 1964), AMUFOC (forage plants, 1970) and COMASSO (plant growers, 1977) was created in 1998.
Since April 2002, ESA has had the status of a non-profit International Association (AISBL) under Belgian law. The seat is in Brussels ; the President (2012–2015) Gerard Backx and the Secretary General Garlich von Essen.
aims
The ESA claims to have the following goals:
- Effective protection of intellectual property related to plants and seeds;
- Adequate regulation of the European seed industry;
- Freedom of choice for farmers, industry and consumers in relation to seeds produced through innovative and diverse technologies and production methods.
Internationally, ESA is also involved or has observer status with the International Seed Federation , UPOV , the OECD , the International Seed Testing Association , the International Plant Protection Convention , the FAO and others.