Speaking at AIC’s Annual Seed Sector Dinner, Mr Taylor highlighted the need for seed selection to be treated with as much care as that given to fertiliser or agrochemical choice.

“Seed choice lays the foundation of a season’s production,” said Mr Taylor. “Seed choice should dictate crop protection and crop nutrition decisions, not be secondary to them.”

The increasing emphasis on traceability and assurance was another reason why more attention should be paid to the source of seed for products entering the foodchain.

Mr Taylor highlighted that the industry was undertaking a series of initiatives that made it timely to look again at the focus on Certified seed. For instance, the launch of the European Seed Trade Assurance scheme will underpin the use of seed treatments to demonstrably high professional standards.

Revisions to the operation of the HGCA Recommended Lists have given breeders extra time to adjust cropping for next year’s harvest. While the revised lists will provide more meaningful guides to the varieties for farmer and seed trade alike.

“I also regard the significant strengthening of industry regulation as a positive development – again raising professional standards,” said Mr Taylor. “It is also encouraging to see successful prosecutions for royalty evasion and the illegal sale of home-saved seed.”

Thus, the whole industry – plant breeder and seed merchant alike – needs to be positive and promote the benefits of Certified seed and the expert advice that comes with it.