Seeds for the Future = Challenges for Potato

Abstract

The quality of seed potatoes is of paramount importance. The Netherlands and France are important seed potato exporters. In France, seed potato production is a well-organised and economically important sector in which genetic crop improvement and advancement of seed health are crucial objectives. There are strong debates in France on the use of new breeding techniques, which require special skills, equipment, facilities and investments, but which are not always accepted by the general public. The seed potato sector should prepare itself for a situation in which pests and diseases will adapt themselves to global change. Moreover, pests and diseases may thrive under the reduced use of chemical crop protectants. In this regard, it is essential to assess which multiplication techniques will have a better future: are we going to grow potatoes on the basis of seed potato schemes or on the basis of true potato seed? At the same time, there are many national and international changes in legislation about seed production. The seed potato sector must prepare itself for a diverse set of changes in a very dynamic world.