71 



Statement 



by 



Dietrich Schmidt, President 



American Seed Trade Association 



Good afternoon Mr. Chairman. My name is Dietrich Schmidt, president of Petoseed 

 Company in Saticoy .California, and president of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA). 

 On behalf of the entire membership of the ASTA, I am pleased to be here today to lend support 

 and reaffirm our endorsement of H.R. 2927, a bill to amend the Plant Variety Protection Act of 

 1970. 



As you know, Mr. Chairman, the preamble to H.R. 2927 clearly outlines the intent of the 

 legislation: "...to make such Act consistent with the International Convention for the Protection 

 of New Varieties of Plants of March 19, 1991, to which the United States is a signatory, and for 

 other purposes." ASTA recognizes and fully appreciates the efforts you and the committee have 

 made in advancing this legislation for consideration and is grateful for your leadership. We are 

 very pleased that the Administration has provided strong leadership, too. 



Before I begin with my formal statement, I would like to take a moment to thank you, 

 the members of the subcommittee and all those who support intellectual property rights, for your 

 continued insight into this important area that challenges all of us committed to keeping 

 American farmers on top and competitive in a world market. Many hours of discussions, 

 research, and planning have gone into this implementing legislation, and our membership 

 appreciates your willingness to bring this issue forward for a thoughtful discussion and, 

 hopefully, a quick resolution. 



As the national seed trade association charged with the responsibility and privilege of 

 representing over 500 seed companies, state and regional seed organizations, and supportive 

 service industries, the ASTA is firmly behind the intent and spirit of H.R. 2927. Collectively, 

 and without hesitation, we wholeheartedly believe that it is in the best interest of American 

 agriculture and U.S. policy to join the 1991 UPOV Convention. In doing so, the United States 

 positions itself as a full partner in recognizing intellectual property rights for developers of novel 

 varieties of plants. Most importantly, however, the reciprocity with other countries that is 

 afforded with adoption of the 1991 UPOV Convention assures developers and users of protected 

 varieties of clearly defined and internationally accepted standards. 



JOINING THE UPOV CONVENTION STRENGTHENS AMERICAN AGRICULTURE 



The supporters of H.R. 2927 recognize the importance of validating strong intellectual 

 property rights protection. Indeed, the 1991 UPOV Convention outlines standards for protecting 

 plant breeders' rights, while at the same time, helping to arm developers of novel varieties with 

 the protection and incentive necessary to bring new and improved products to the markets. These 

 new and improved varieties provide the necessary tools American farmers need to maintain a well 

 recognized dominance of world agricultural markets. 



As an advocate for H.R. 2927, ASTA members maintaining research programs fully 

 understand their responsibility to the farmer. Providing enhanced seeds that incorporate 

 characteristics of drought and pest resistance help the farmer to be a responsible steward, while 



