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Background
A five-part global webinar series
Held in September 2026
Illegal seed practices threaten farmers’ livelihoods, undermined innovation, distorted fair competition, and put food security at risk.
To raise awareness and support coordinated action, the International Seed Federation convened a five-part webinar series, “Combatting Illegal Seed Practices: From Awareness to Action.”
Across five sessions, farmers, seed sector representatives, enforcement specialists, technical experts and international organizations examined the real-world consequences of illegal seed practices and the practical measures available to address them.
The series explored farmer impacts, seed authentication and traceability, laboratory testing, evidence gathering, sector-led enforcement, policy frameworks and international cooperation. Participants gained practical insights into how public authorities, industry and other stakeholders can work together to protect farmers, strengthen legitimate seed markets and safeguard agricultural innovation.
What are illegal seed practices?
Illegal seed practices can take many forms, including counterfeiting, seed piracy, theft, fraudulent labeling, trademark infringement and the unauthorized use or sale of protected varieties.
Their consequences extend across the entire seed value chain. Farmers experience crop failure, reduced yields, and financial losses. Legitimate businesses face unfair competition and weakened incentives to invest in research and innovation. Regulators and enforcement authorities must respond to increasingly complex, often cross-border activities.
Addressing these practices requires more than isolated action. It depended on effective collaboration between farmers, the seed sector, public authorities, testing and certification bodies, enforcement organizations, and international institutions.
This webinar series connected these perspectives and moved the discussion from awareness to practical action.
Audiences
This webinar series was designed for stakeholders who play a role in protecting seed system integrity, supporting fair and transparent markets, and addressing illegal seed practices. It is particularly relevant for:
- National seed associations
- Seed sector representatives
- Policymakers and regulators
- Enforcement authorities and customs officials
- Seed testing, certification, and quality assurance bodies
- International organisations and intergovernmental bodies
- Farmer organisations and extension services
- Organisations working on illicit trade and anti-counterfeiting
- Experts in intellectual property, plant breeders’ rights, and innovation protection
- Public-private partnership initiatives focused on agricultural input integrity
Participants involved in policy development, enforcement, farmer protection, awareness raising, market integrity, certification, traceability, or public-private cooperation are especially encouraged to attend.
Webinar Programme
Webinar 1:
Seed Sector Integrity — Why It Matters in Practice
Date: Tuesday, 1 September 2026, 13:00-15:00 CEST
Moderator: Nils Elmegaard, Chair, ISF CG – Engagement against ISP
Speakers:
- Thor Kofoed, Chair, Copa-Cogeca Working Party on Seeds
- Julius Nyabicha, Cereal Growers Association
- Natalie Waterschoot, Bayer
About the session:
The opening webinar grounded the series in the real-world impact of illegal seed practices.
A farmer shared first-hand experience with counterfeit or illegal seed and the consequences for farm performance and livelihoods. This was complemented by the seed sector’s perspective, highlighting how companies are working with partners to strengthen seed integrity, traceability, and compliance, and why this matters for farmers and society.
Webinar 2:
Fighting Counterfeiting and Seed Theft — Tools and Field Success
Date: Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 13:00-15:00 CEST
Moderator: Marcel Bruins
Speakers:
- Hans-Joachim Henn, Consultant
- Catharina Pires, Director of Biotechnology and Seeds, CropLife Brazil
Maria Luiza Silveira, Legal and Intellectual Property Specialist, CropLife Brazil
About the session:
The second session explored how innovation and coordinated action can effectively reduce illegal seed practices. It combined technical solutions such as authentication and tracking systems with national-level success stories, demonstrating how industry and authorities can work together to combat counterfeiting, theft, and trademark infringement.
Webinar 3:
From Lab to Law Enforcement — Turning Detection into Action
Date: Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 13:00–15:00 CEST
Moderator: Marcel Bruins
Speakers:
- Sergio Pasquini, Vice-President, International Seed Testing Association
- Stefano Betti, Deputy Director General, Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade
About the session:
This session connected scientific detection with enforcement outcomes. It showed how seed testing, certification systems, and traceability provide the evidence base for legal action, and how these tools support broader efforts to combat illicit trade at national and international levels.
Webinar 4:
Seed Sector Enforcement in Action — Lessons from AIB and Breeders Trust
Date: Tuesday, 22 September 2026, 13:00–15:00 CEST
Moderator: Nils Elmegaard, Chair, ISF CG – Engagement against ISP
Speakers:
- Ignacio Giacchi, Anti-Infringement Bureau
- Corné van Beers, Breeders Trust
About the session:
This session focused on practical enforcement mechanisms within the seed sector. Drawing on experiences from the Anti-Infringement Bureau (AIB) and the Breeders Trust, the discussion highlighted investigation approaches, evidence gathering, cross-border cooperation, and how cases are built against illegal operators. It provided a concrete view of how rules are enforced in practice.
Webinar 5:
International Collaboration — Policy & Enforcement Frameworks
Date: Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 13:00–15:00 CEST
Moderator: Lorelei Garagancea, ISF Legal Director – IP and Genetic Resources
Speakers
- Piotr Stryszowski, Senior Economist, OECD
- Jaak Feuggelen, Representative of the European Anti-Fraud Office
About the session:
The final session explored how international cooperation, policy frameworks, and customs enforcement contribute to tackling illegal seed trade. Participants gained insights into how national efforts can be strengthened through alignment with international standards and practices.