ASTA Supports Training for Governments of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos

On June 8-10, ASTA and the Asia and Pacific Seed Association, together with U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of State, hosted the Mekong-U.S. Partnership Virtual Workshop: “Strengthening Sustainable Seed Systems for the Lower Mekong Countries.” Each day focused on a different theme: plant variety protection, seed testing and accreditation, and phytosanitary risk management. Government leaders heard from international organizations such as the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), International Seed Federation (ISF), and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as well as from the private sector. Governments also shared updates on their current seed regulatory environment and discussed opportunities for future training programs to better harmonize regulations across the region and with international standards. For more information, visit the workshop webpage or contact Abigail Struxness.