Crop Inspection 2020
Crop Inspection – a Key Step in Ensuring French Maize Seed Quality
In order to provide seeds of excellent quality and clear traceability, France has perfected its certification system for more than fifty years.
The system – which is the best in the world – starts with a nationwide, on-site inspection of crops. The F.N.P.S.M.S.* (France’s interprofessional organisation of maize and sorghum seed producers) is comprised of all the industry participants, the purpose being to implement very strict specifications throughout the crop production cycle.
Valérie Brochet, Head of the F.N.P.S.M.S., summarises the report on the 2020 inspection, which she coordinated:
“Crop inspection involves recruiting the inspection teams, training and preparing them, carrying out real-time inspections alongside the multiplication growers, and keeping in constant touch with the seed producers and other ag professionals.”
- Thanks to its specific organisation, the F.N.P.S.M.S. has been able to inspect almost 80000 hectares of maize in France this year, namely 16 percent more than in 2019.
- 2045 hybrids were multiplied on areas of various sizes, in order to meet demand specs on both the French, and international, markets.
- 25 training sessions organised via webinars and on location helped to develop the expertise of the field inspection teams.
Guaranteeing the excellent quality of the seeds produced in France is a priority for the F.N.P.S.M.S. and the country’s domestic industry, which remains committed to meeting the increasing requirements of both the French and the European maize growers.”
* the F.N.P.S.M.S. is an organization accredited by Cofrac (accreditation n ° 3-0825, scope available on www.cofrac.fr).