World seed congress in Chicago marks ISF's beginning

摘要

Some 1,300 delegates and accompanying persons were welcomed to the International Seed Congress this May 27-30 in Chicago by members of the Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps and the Future Farmers of America. The focus on the world's young people (the opening ceremony featured several youth groups, including the Jesse White Tumblers, the Chicago Children's Choir and the Trinity Irish Dancers) was fitting for this meeting, which also marked the birth of the new International Seed Federation (ISF),the blending of FIS and ASSINSEL. Robert Thedinger, chairman of the meeting's organizing committee, also noted that proceeds from the Congress golf tournament and fun run/walk and the money saved from not issuing briefcases to delegates this year would be donated to UNICEF, which helps children around the world. Thedinger also reported that 56 countries were represented at this year's international seed congress. Francois Desprez, president of ASSINSEL, told the Congress that he was proud that the plantbreeder's message would now be represented in the new ISF by 68 countries strong. He stressed that the seed industry must continue to communicate to others its fundamental role in food production.