Members

Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG)

The Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) is an independent research institution, devoted to leading-edge research in plant and farm animal biology, genetics and genomics. Research at CRAG spans from basic science to applied studies in close collaboration with industry. CRAG currently hosts more than 200 researchers coming for more than 30 different countries. It is located on the outskirts of the city of Barcelona (Spain), in an area shared with renowned facilities and research institutions. CRAG is recognised with the “Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence” award by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and with the “Human Resources Excellence in Research” award from the European Commission.

European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO)

EPSO, the European Plant Science Organisation, is an independent academic organisation that represents more than 200 research institutes, departments and universities from 32 countries, mainly from Europe, and 2.600 individuals Personal Members, representing over 23 000 people working in plant science. EPSO’s mission is to improve the impact and visibility of plant science in Europe, to provide authoritative source of independent information on plant science including science advice to policy, and to promote training of plant scientists to meet the 21st century challenges in breeding, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, plant ecology and sectors related to plant science.

John Innes Centre

The John Innes Centre (JIC) is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant science, genetics and microbiology, based in Norwich, UK. JIC fosters a creative, curiosity-driven approach to fundamental questions in bio-science, with a view to translating that into societal benefits. Over the last 110 years, JIC has achieved a range of fundamental breakthroughs, resulting in major societal impacts. JIC’s mission is to: (i) generate knowledge of plants and microbes through innovative research; (ii) apply our knowledge of nature’s diversity to benefit agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being; (iii) train scientists for the future; and (iv) engage with policy makers and the public.

University of Padua

The University of Padua (est. 1222) is one of the oldest and most prestigious seats of learning in Europe and has a long tradition and consolidated reputation for scientific excellence. Three departments are participating in Plant ETP activities, the Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), the Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry (TESAF), and the Department of Industrial Engineering (DII). These departments feature a highly interdisciplinary research environment devoted to promoting quality of life, the innovation and competitiveness of the agri-food sector, and the sustainable use of natural resources. The University of Padua is a leading Italian University in Agricultural science for the quality of its research outputs, according to the report issued by the National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes.

BASF

BASF SE is a German multinational chemical company  with subsidiaries and joint ventures in more than 80 countries. It operates six integrated production sites and 390 other production sites in Europe, Asia, Australia, the Americas and Africa. BASF has customers in over 190 countries and supplies products to a wide variety of industries. In the “Agricultural Solutions” segment, BASF is an integrated provider of crop protection products, seeds and digital solutions. The portfolio comprises fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and biological crop protection products, as well as seeds and seed treatment products.

Bayer CropScience S.A.

At Bayer, we work to shape agriculture through breakthrough innovation for the benefit of farmers, consumers and our planet. We combine modern science with farmers’ ingenuity to help nourish our growing world with reliable, sustainable harvests using less land, water and energy. We’re committed to delivering better solutions for all farmers while enabling more choice for consumers to help them and our planet thrive. And, while we don’t have all the answers, our passion for discovery, collaboration and curiosity means we will never stop striving to find them.

Eurofins Agroscience Services

With over 30 years of experience in Crop Protection, Eurofins Agroscience Services has developed into a global enabler in the area of research, development and regulatory services for the Agrochemical, Biorational, Fertiliser and Breeding industries. Offering exceptional technical knowledge, a global network of state-of-the-art laboratories, greenhouses and field stations as well as full regulatory support, Eurofins Agroscience Services is a leader in its sphere.
In a dynamic and complex regulatory environment, supporting clients through every stage of the registration process is a top priority. Conducting field and laboratory studies to determine the safety and efficacy of new bio-rational and chemical plant protection products is core to Eurofins Agroscience Services technical activity, with registration services provided by an in-house team of regulatory experts.
In addition, Eurofins Agroscience Services is committed to enabling innovation alongside SME’s in the area of crop protection solutions by applying technical capabilities through a unique platform approach.

Euroseeds

Euroseeds is the voice of the European seed sector. We therefore represent the interests of those active in research, breeding, production and marketing of seeds of agricultural, horticultural and ornamental plant species.
Today, Euroseeds, with more than 36 national member associations from EU Members States and beyond, represents several thousand seed businesses, as well 67 direct company members, including from seed-related industries.

Keygene N.V. – technology innovation for crop improvement

KeyGene is the go-to research company for technology innovation that boosts crop improvement. With our intellectual capital, solution driven approach and collaborative spirit, we passionately work for the future of global agriculture with partners in breeding of vegetables and other crops, and other organizations in the AgriFood sector. Our drive is to support our partners in their toughest R&D challenges with powerful research project teams, combining our cutting edge expertise in fields like DNA, RNA, proteins, metabolites, cells & tissues, plant traits, gene editing & mutation breeding and data science. We operate in an international environment, which is reflected in our team, with more than 140 professionals from all over the world. Our company is based in Wageningen, the Netherlands; Rockville, MD, USA and Hyderabad, India.

KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA

KWS is one of the world’s leading plant breeding companies. Around 6,000 employees in 70 countries generated net sales of around €1.3 billion in fiscal 2020/2021. A company with a tradition of family ownership, KWS has operated independently for 165 years. It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seed for corn, sugar beet, cereals, vegetables, rapeseed and sunflower. KWS uses leading-edge plant breeding methods to continuously improve yield for farmers and plants’ resistance to diseases, pests and abiotic stress. To that end, the company invested more than €250 million last fiscal year in research and development.

SESVanderHave

SESVanderHave, an international market player in the production of sugar beet seed, is specialized in every aspect of the research, breeding, biotechnology, production, processing and marketing of sugar beet seed. Worldwide, SESVanderHave sells sugar beet varieties resulting from its research and breeding programs with its proprietary germplasm. Each variety represents a customized solution to the needs of a specific sugar beet market. SESVanderHave pursues a proactive policy of investments in biotechnology, modern breeding technologies and improved seed technologies to improve the performance of the sugar beet crop. Wherever sugar beets are grown, SESVanderHave is present.

Syngenta

Syngenta is a leading developer and producer of seeds and crop protection products worldwide. Our seeds innovations contribute to the sustainability of our planet by providing solutions to farmers to adapt to extreme conditions caused by climate change, mitigate carbon emissions from agriculture, and help farmers counteract soil erosion and biodiversity loss. We bring farmers more vigorous, stronger, resistant plants, including innovative hybrid varieties and crops that can thrive even in challenging growing conditions. Our research is designed to improve the way crops are grown and protected so that everyone, from consumers, to farmers, to the environment, benefits.

COPA-COGECA

Copa and Cogeca are the united voice of farmers and agri-cooperatives in the European Union. Together, we ensure that EU agriculture is sustainable, innovative and competitive, while guaranteeing food security for 500 million people throughout Europe. Copa represents over 22 million farmers and their family members whilst Cogeca represents the interests of 22,000 agri-cooperatives. We, the European farmers and agri-cooperatives, strive to deliver the type of agricultural products that our citizens expect and demand, with a market-oriented agriculture that provides the highest level of food safety, sustainability, plant and animal health and welfare standards.
European agriculture and forestry are incredibly diverse. This diversity is our pride and our strength, and we must do everything in our collective power to protect it! This is why all models of agriculture, all types of production and all sizes of farms and cooperatives are represented within Copa and Cogeca.

Vilmorin & Cie – Limagrain

Limagrain is an agricultural cooperative and international seed group, owned by French farmers. Limagrain has its roots in three core values: progress, perseverance and cooperation. Focused on the genetic progress of plants, Limagrain breeds, produces, and distributes field seeds and vegetable seeds. Beginning from the region of its parent company in France, Limagrain has built unique agri-food chains and deployed its activities in 57 countries. As the 4th largest seed company worldwide, Limagrain is guided by a single purpose: cooperating for the progress of agriculture everywhere, for everyone.

TopSector Horticulture & Starting Materials

The Netherlands has nine Topsectors: sectors that are knowledge-intensive and export-oriented and that contribute to important social issues worldwide. The business community, knowledge institutions and education are working together with the government to ensure that Topsector Horticulture & Starting materials remains among the world’s best. It includes sectors ranging from vegetables, fruit and trees, to flowers and bulbs, but also technical suppliers such as greenhouse builders and service providers. The propagation materials sector concerns seed potatoes, planting material and seeds for horticulture and arable crops. The Topsector is further expanding its international position and focuses on: Knowledge and Innovation; Human Capital Agenda (HCA); and Internationalisation.

Knowledge and Innovation Agenda available here

Vegepolys Valley

VEGEPOLYS VALLEY is a competitiveness cluster gathering together firms, research and training centres in the plant field around some innovative projects to strengthen the firms’ competitiveness. Our members are active down the entire plant value chain :

• Upstream (development and selection, plant and soil health, machinery and equipment and digital & AgTech).
• Plant production (seeds and plants, arable crops, market gardening and fruit tree growing, ornamental horticulture, wine and cider growing, and aromatic and medicinal plants).
• Processing/distribution (human and animal nutrition, nutrition for prevention and health, well-being and cosmetics, agro-materials and biotransformation, urban planting and living environment).