Introduction to the AMSAC Annual Convention
The annual convention of the Asociación Mexicana de Semilleros, A.C. (AMSAC) is set to take place on August 7th and 8th in Puerto Vallarta, serving as a crucial forum for the future of Mexico’s agricultural sector. The collaboration between government, industry, and science will be essential to cultivate a more productive, sustainable, and secure agriculture. Mario Puente Raya, the AMSAC’s executive director, emphasizes updating the regulatory framework and fostering innovation to tackle current agricultural challenges.
AMSAC’s Focus on Science, Technology, and Regulation
In an interview with El Economista, Puente Raya highlights that the convention’s key points will include dialogue with the Secretary of Agriculture, addressing the significance of improved seeds in food production and their integration into Mexico’s federal Plan. He stresses the need for public-private partnerships to boost crop productivity, decrease imports—especially for wheat, corn, and beans—and strengthen the nation’s food security.
“Our main conversation with the secretary will be about how we collaborate jointly between government, public research institutions, and the seed sector to ensure future seeds that make us more productive and competitive in our country,” Puente Raya stated.
Urgent Need for Legal Updates
Another central topic at the convention is analyzing laws affecting the seed sector, specifically the Federal Law on Plant Varieties. This 25-year-old legislation has not been updated, creating vulnerabilities in the intellectual property of new varieties and new technologies.
To address this, AMSAC seeks the Mexican government’s commitment to harmonize its law with UPOV 91’s international principles, already adopted by the US and Canada. “If you arrive at the table with non-compliance, you’re already at a disadvantage,” Puente Raya warns, stressing the importance of presenting a solid proposal before upcoming T-MEC negotiations.
Additionally, the convention will discuss secondary law modifications resulting from a constitutional reform that bans transgenic corn planting in Mexico. The goal is to ensure these reforms don’t negatively impact research and development of improved seeds, especially new gene-editing techniques that don’t produce transgenic organisms.
“We’re very interested in having these available in Mexico to continue developing the improved seeds we need for agriculture, allowing our institutions to keep researching,” Puente Raya explained.
The Seed Industry in Mexico
- Represents approximately 80% of the improved seed market in Mexico.
- Generates around 100,000 direct jobs and 300,000 indirect jobs.
- Member companies invest up to 30% of their revenues in research and development.
- The Mexican seed market is projected to reach $1.84 billion in 2025, with a forecast of $2.35 billion by 2030.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the significance of AMSAC’s annual convention? The convention serves as a crucial forum for the future of Mexico’s agricultural sector, emphasizing collaboration between government, industry, and science to cultivate more productive, sustainable, and secure agriculture.
- Why is updating the regulatory framework important? Updating the framework ensures intellectual property protection for new seed varieties and technologies, fostering innovation to tackle current agricultural challenges.
- What are the key topics at AMSAC’s annual convention? The convention will focus on dialogue with the Secretary of Agriculture, analyzing laws affecting the seed sector, and discussing secondary law modifications resulting from constitutional reforms.
- How does the seed industry contribute to Mexico’s economy? The seed industry represents a significant portion of the improved seed market, generates numerous jobs, invests heavily in research and development, and is projected to reach substantial market values by 2030.
