And Organic - International Seed Testing Association

The International Seed Testing
Association (ISTA) and
Organic Seed Production

When buying seed for the organic food production, the organic farmer wants to be
assured that on one side the seed has been produced following principles for
organic farming, and on the other side that it is of high quality, which is the precondition
for a successful production process.
How is seed quality determined?
The quality of seed is determined in a seed testing laboratory at the end of the
seed production process and before selling the seed to seed suppliers and farmers.
The parameters are mainly the purity of the seed and the germination capacity of
the seed, but also a wide range of other parameters can be evaluated in the seed
testing laboratory.
What is special for the determination of the quality of
organically produced seed?
For organic production, two further aspects will clearly have major importance -
the seed health of organically produced seed and the absence of genetically
modified seeds.
Why use ISTA for the determination of the quality of
organically produced seed?
For all these quality parameters (germination, purity, seed health, absence of
genetically modified seed), ISTA has developed and is constantly improving suitable
methods, which are published as the International Rules for Seed Testing.
ISTA also monitors the use of the International Rules for Seed Testing through a
unique quality assurance system for seed testing laboratories including a proficiency
test programme and an audit programme.
Therefore by requesting ISTA International Seed Lot Certificates, the buyer of the
seed can be assured that he receives true and reproducible results as to the quality
of the seed on international level.
The production process (organic or conventional) has no direct influence on the
determination of the quality of the seed, meaning that ISTA International Seed Lot
Certificates can be used for organic seed production.
ISTA International Seed Lot Certificates are important for the determination of the
quality of seed, no matter if seed is produced in a conventional or organic process.

How can ISTA support the production of high quality organic
seed?
ISTA wants to support the production of organic seed.
The production of high quality organic seed may bring new challenges also for the
methods for determining the quality of the seed. New methods may be required
(e.g. for seed health testing).
With 17 internationally represented Technical Committees, ISTA has a unique pool
of more than 250 experienced scientists and technicians in the area of seed quality
determination, which are capable and prepared to work on this issue.
Open questions can not only be addressed to these committees, but also scientist
and technicians involved in the production of high quality organic seed are welcome
to participate in these committees. Being a part of an ISTA Committee
means to profit from the rich expertise in the committee. Interesting and fruitful
discussions in the committees will help to bring the production of high quality organic
seed forward quickly. Join the committees and address your challenges.
For further information please contact the ISTA Secretariat or
visit the ISTA Website.

Membership application information,
membership list and publication
details are available online at
www.seedtest.org
or contact the Secretariat at:
ISTA Secretariat
Zürichstrasse 50
PO Box 308
8303 Bassersdorf
CH - Switzerland
Phone +41 1 838 6000
Fax +41 1 838 6001
E-mail ista.office@ista.ch