HOMEThe seed and seedling sector will be a key lever in overcoming future challenges
Following his role as Vice-President, the newly-elected SEMAE President will continue the missions of the French Interprofessional Organisation for Seeds and Plants, which, as the first link in the food chain, faces many challenges due to demographics, climate change, shifting cultural practices and the reduced availability of production means.
SEMAE and industry players are fully mobilised and committed, with seeds and seedlings offering multiple solutions. As Pierre Pagès highlights, “several years ago, our representative body drafted a strategic project which led to a profound ongoing transformation. We have implemented these changes with François Desprez over the past two mandates, and will continue to do so with everyone’s support.”
The current Board of Directors also approved the renewal of SEMAE’s executive council, with existing members Thomas Bourgeois (Vice-President of the Grains and Protein Crops division), Jean-François Roussel (President of the Potato Seedlings division) and Laurent Bourdil (President of the Oilseed Crops division) welcoming two new members: Stéphane Ducroquet (President of the Seed Diversity division) and Laurent Guerreiro (President of the Fodder and Grass division).
Pierre Pagès concluded his speech by thanking “the Board of Directors for their faith in the actions and projects undertaken and the SEMAE teams for their commitments.”
SEMAE: supporting shared ambitions more than ever before
With six decades of expertise, the French Interprofessional Organisation for Seeds and Plants upholds high standards thanks to committed, passionate people who work in closely related activities, ensure solidarity both upstream and downstream, and promote the values and best interests of the sector in France and abroad.
The only interprofessional organisation to exercise a public service mission entrusted by the State, it controls and certifies seed and seedling quality for all farming applications and users.
François Desprez, the former President and now Vice-President of SEMAE, insists that: “Beyond effectively promoting the interests of industry members, SEMAE also aims to understand environmental concerns in the broadest sense of the term, including those raised by consumers, citizens, NGOs and civil society to help it better adapt its mindset and actions.
Dedicated people
The new President of SEMAE, Pierre Pagès, is a farmer and maize grower in Southwest France and Vice-President of Euralis, an agricultural and food cooperative in Southwest France. François Desprez, the new Vice-President of SEMAE is President of the Florimond Desprez group, which creates and produces new seed varieties.
These determined two men have long been committed to the seeds sector.