Developing Market Driven Standards for Coexistence: Tolerances, Thresholds, and Other Technical Standards Used by the Seed Industry

Abstract

The American Seed Trade Association defines coexistence as “The practice of growing, reproducing and handling seed products with different characteristics or intended markets with the goal of successfully achieving intended product integrity and maintaining economic value of such products.” The principle of coexistence has been fundamental to the seed industry almost from the inception of creating specific populations of genetics intended for planting. In order for seed producers to successfully transfer the value created in a unique population, variety or hybrid, they must find ways to maintain purity and identification of those genetics throughout their life cycle. This can prove challenging in an environment dominated by commodity products of the same or similar species.