Colombia's seed traceability system takes aim at black market.(GRAINS)

The Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) has released rules governing the nationwide seed traceability system, which takes aim at black market seed transactions that pose a threat to consumers and the agricultural sector's reputation.

The structure for a seed traceability network, referred to as the Crop Information System, is scheduled to be fully operational next March. The system will track importation, exportation, storage, and planting location of seeds. Farm level traceability hinges on the requirement that, upon purchasing seeds from an authorized supplier, each farmer register fields in which seeds will be planted, by documenting the size and location of each.