Longer shelf life of fruits and vegetables might also contribute to avoiding food waste. High-yielding crops that need less input and are of superior nutritional value might help to address these challenges. Petra Jorasch (PJ): In light of the global challenges we all face, like climate change, an increasing world population and increasing scarcity of natural resources such as arable land and water, progress in plant breeding has gained unprecedented importance. In your view, which are the pros and cons of the new techniques for the various groups in society, such as seed trade, farmers, consumers etc.? European Seed spoke with Petra Jorasch, Manager Plant Breeding & Innovation Advocacy of the European Seed Association (ESA), for her take on plant breeding innovation and the impact on EU plant breeding and agriculture, seed trade and society at large.Д®uropean Seed (ES): Petra, for the past few years, weвЂ™ve been reading a lot about these new techniques. To support ESAвЂ™s advocacy efforts, ESA recently launched the вЂњEmbracing the Power of NatureвЂќ communication campaign. As the outcome of the discussions would have a serious impact on the European innovation capacity of the breeding sector, a sustainable agriculture and the global seed trade, ESA had a keen interest in following and contributing to this debate. For several years, the EU Commission has been discussing the regulatory status of products of plant breeding innovation.

Why is plant breeding important