ISF is the International Seed Federation, formally established in May 2002 in Chicago, Illinois. ISF is the result of the merger of FIS, the International Seed Trade Federation, established in 1924 and ASSINSEL, the International Association of Plant Breeders, established in 1938. As you see, ISF has a long history and, in fact, is one of the oldest international non-governmental organizations.

The role of ISF is to:

• Represent the interests of its members (the seed industry) at international level;
• Improve relationships between its members;
• Develop and facilitate the free movement of seed with fair and reasonable regulations whilst serving farmers, growers, industry and consumers;
• Increase recognition of the importance and value of its members’ major contribution to world food security, genetic diversity and sustainable agriculture, in particular by the development, production and use of high quality seed using modern technology;
• Promote the establishment and protection of intellectual property rights for seeds, plant varieties and associated technologies which follow from research investments in plant breeding, plant biotechnology, seed technology and related subjects;
• Facilitate the marketing of planting seeds and other reproductive materials by publishing rules for the trading of seed in international markets and for the licensing of technology;
• Provide for the settlement of disputes through mediation, conciliation and/or arbitration;
• Encourage and support the development of national and regional seed associations;
• Encourage and support the education and training of seedsmen throughout the world.