| March 6, 2023 USDA Report Released: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Actions, Investments to Create Fairer Markets, Lower Prices USDA today released a report, titled “More and Better Choices for Farmers: Promoting Fair Competition and Innovation in Seeds and Other Agricultural Inputs,” that includes recommendations for improving market fairness. USDA is taking immediate action on three of these recommendations: • USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is standing up a new Farmer Seed Liaison, which will deliver on report recommendations. Specifically, the Seed Liaison will boost transparency and reduce confusion in a complex seed system by helping facilitate communication between farmers and plant breeders and the patent system. • USDA and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) are forming a Working Group on IP & Competition in Seeds and Other Agricultural Inputs, where USDA and USPTO, together with the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, will work to promote fair competition in the seed market. • Additionally, AMS is releasing today a Notice to Trade regarding compliance with disclosing the kind and variety of seeds under the Federal Seed Act. The Notice underscores that farmers and seed businesses should know the kind and variety of the seed that they are getting from producers. USDA will also expand its FarmerFairness.gov portal to enable farmers and seed businesses to report tips and complaints related to competition and consumer protection in the seed markets. The report also underscores the importance of public investment in plant breeding to promote resiliency and competition and enable farmers to better adapt to local and regional needs. To read the entire report please click on the link below. Promoting Fair Competition & Innovation in Seeds Please enjoy this month’s round-up of federal legislative updates, agency rules and regulations, and other relevant industry information! Washington DC Monthly Report Trying to keep up with ever-changing seed industry news? Check out these newsletters from our partners: International Seed Testing Association Weekly Newsletter To subscribe click HERE Seeds Canada Monthly Industry Newsletter “Seeds For Thought” To subscribe click HERE or please email Lise Newton at lnewton@seeds-canada.ca for more information. American Seed Trade Association Bi-Weekly Newsletter “Better Seed Bulletin” To subscribe click HERE |