10 



staying up here, perhaps we can get a small conversation going as 

 well as some answering of questions. 



We have Mr. Dietrich Schmidt, who is the president of American 

 Seed Trade Association, Don Latham, who is a farmer and seed 

 producer with the Latham Seed Company in Alexander, Iowa. 

 Please come on up. There is room up here for you. 



We have Dr. Vance Watson, who is executive vice president of 

 the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies at Mississippi 

 State University, Starkville, Mississippi, and Mr. David Svik, Presi- 

 dent of the Association of American Seed Control Officials at the 

 Nebraska Department of Agriculture in Lincoln, Nebraska. 



Dr. Clayton. Mr. Chairman, if I might, just to make sure the 

 record is clear, you asked if I was speaking for all three of us. In 

 fact, I am speaking for the administration. 



Senator Kerrey. Thank you, Dr. Clayton. Your entire statement 

 will be made a part of the record. 



Mr. Schmidt, could you begin with your statement, please? 



STATEMENT OF DIETRICH SCHMIDT, PRESIDENT, AMERICAN 

 SEED TRADE ASSOCIATION, WASHINGTON, DC; ACCOMPANIED 

 BY ROB ROBINSON, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, J.C. ROBIN- 

 SON SEED COMPANY, WATERLOO, NE, AND CHAIRMAN, INTEL- 

 LECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS COMMITTEE, AMERICAN SEED 

 TRADE ASSOCIATION 



Mr. Schmidt. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. 



Good afternoon. My name is Dietrich Schmidt from Saticoy, Cali- 

 fornia. I am the President of Petoseed Company and I am also 

 President of the American Seed Trade Association. 



I am here in support of S. 1406, a bill to amend the Plant Varie- 

 ty Protection Act of 1970. I have also filed more detailed testimony 

 with your office. 



ASTA, the American Seed Trade Association, is a leading nation- 

 al trade association representing over 500 seed companies, large, 

 medium, small, with and without breeding programs, also, the 

 State Crop Improvement Associations, the State and regional seed 

 organizations, and supportive service industries. 



Joining the 1991 UPOV Convention is in the best interest for 

 U.S. agriculture. Most importantly, the reciprocal plant breeders' 

 rights that are granted with adoption of the 1991 UPOV Conven- 

 tion assures U.S. developers and users of protected varieties of 

 clearly defined and internationally accepted standards. 



Protecting breeders' rights is good policy for the United States. 

 Farmers and seedsmen benefit equally. New varieties are the cor- 

 nerstone for keeping U.S. farmers competitive in international 

 commodity markets. Continued competitiveness of American agri- 

 culture hinges on protection and incentives for breeders. 



The United States would maintain an important leadership posi- 

 tion by adopting and complying with the 1991 UPOV Convention. 

 Most major farm groups and the American Seed Trade Association 

 have endorsed the practice of saving seed for planting on a farm- 

 er's own holdings. 



The United States is a member, as we heard, of the 1978 UPOV 

 Convention and a signatory of the 1991 UPOV Convention, which 



