Precision breeding can help mitigate the harmful effects of climate change

The Seed Association discussed the issue of precision breeding in connection with the European Union’s legislative process regulating NGT, and taking into account its scientific, economic, food and seed sector aspects, adopted the following resolution: precision breeding is an innovative process in which only natural the researchers use useful properties that occur, thus the plant breeding process can be shortened by years. Due to the ever-increasing climate change and the requirements for the smallest possible use of pesticides, precision breeding is essential for the adaptation of agriculture to changed climatic conditions and for achieving the appropriate crop results. Precision breeding provides domestic producers with seeds that can be the basis of supplying society with healthy, GMO-free food and the competitiveness of Hungarian agriculture, Dr. Vice President Gyula Vida.

The 1,163-member Seed Association Interprofessional Organization and Product Council represents a sector of strategic importance. The sector annually produces seeds from more than 100 different species and almost 1300 varieties. The annual value of Hungarian seed production, which takes place on approximately 110,000 hectares, is HUF 190 billion. Domestic seeds are sought-after export products in Europe and throughout the world market.