Deon van Rooyen, Managing Director of Pannar Seed, South Africa, was appointed president of the International Seed Federation (ISF) at the organisation’s recent annual congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.

With members spread over 71 developed and developing countries on all continents, the ISF represents the mainstream of the world seed trade and plant breeders’ community and serves as the principal international forum where issues of importance to the world seed industry are discussed and positions formulated and adopted. Van Rooyen succeeds Selwyn Manning of New Zealand as the second president of ISF from the southern hemisphere and is the first from Africa in the history of the organisation.

 “This is indeed a great honour and a challenge for me,” said Van Rooyen after his appointment in Copenhagen. “After six days of attending ISF board and committee meetings one is once again impressed by the depth of knowledge, technical expertise and experience that exists in this great organisation.

“One of my major tasks over the next 12 months will be to lead our Strategic Review Group to revamp and update our strategic plan to take account of our current and forecast operating environment and the needs of our members,” he said.

In his acceptance speech, Van Rooyen acknowledged the capable leadership and contribution to the organisation of both the outgoing president Selwyn Manning, as well as that of the ISF secretary general, Bernard le Buanec and his staff. 

Van Rooyen will serve a two-year term as president and will preside over the next two congresses to be held in Christchurch in 2007 and Prague in 2008.

Pannar, in addition to being a market leader in the South African seed industry, has developed into a significant global player with its own companies in Europe, USA, Argentina and several African countries, and with international marketing activities that span the globe.