Dr. Ha is a scientist with a background in Plant Biotechnology, with nearly ten years of experience in the public sector and 15 years at Bayer, where she has held various roles in Regulatory, Government, and Scientific Affairs. She is dedicated to advocating for science-based regulatory decision-making and supporting farmers in adopting agricultural innovations to enhance productivity and sustainability.

Currently, Dr. Ha serves as Bayer Seed Regulatory Lead for Asia, Co-Chair of the APSA Working Group on Integrated Vegetable Seed Companies (WIC) and is a member of the APSA Standing Committee on International Trade and Quarantine (ITQ), in addition to chairing the CropLife Asia Seed Committee.

Abstract: Emerging issues in market access and their impact on movement quality seed

The implementation of ISPM 38 guidelines on international seed movement highlights the necessity for tailored phytosanitary measures based on the purpose of seed importation. For small seed lots intended for laboratory testing or destructive analysis, laboratory confinement or destruction should be sufficient as phytosanitary measures, without requiring specificity to particular trade lanes or crops. However, many APAC countries have yet to adopt ISPM 38, resulting in potential barriers to the movement of quality seeds. This lack of standardized measures can hinder research, innovation, and overall seed trade efficiency, ultimately affecting agricultural productivity and food security in the region. Addressing this gap is essential to facilitate the safe and efficient exchange of quality seeds for research and development, promote collaboration and enhance agricultural resilience across APAC countries.