EU-VCU Group Annual Meeting (European VSCU Expert Group)

From 13 to 15 May 2024, GEVES took part in the 17th seminar of the European VSCU (Value for Sustainable Cultivation and Use) group in Denmark. 45 VSCU experts from 20 countries took part in this meeting organised by the Danish examination office (Tystofte Fondation) in the presence of representatives from the European Commission, the CPVO and Euroseeds.

Technical discussions focused firstly on developments in the various national VSCU systems, in particular to take into account new characteristics, uses, species or varietal types. The state of the play about the revision process of European regulatory framework about variety registration was presented.

The group continued its discussions on the respective experiences of the examination offices and possible ways of taking greater account of sustainability objectives in VSCU studies.

Finally, the results of comparative surveys of VSCU systems in different countries, the basis of the group’s work since 2007, were presented.

GEVES is particularly involved in exchanges on cruciferous clubroot tests and the survey on the level of plant protection and fertilisation in trials.