Organizing and promoting the market
The Gnis is organized in eight specialized sections. It promotes the free flow of information between all the members and facilitates dialogue, especially between seed growers and seed producers.
One of the missions of the Gnis and the sections is to ensure the regular supply of the seed market, from production to marketing, and to jointly communicate information useful to the sector.
Improving quality and increasing seed production are permanent objectives: the sections finance numerous experimental programs to ensure the competitiveness of seed growers.
The needs of seed and plant users are constantly evolving. In addition to varietal innovation, changes can result from modifications in the regulations for inclusion in the official catalogue of species and varieties, or from changes in marketing regulations (lists of species, quality standards, packaging, required information on labels, etc.).
Assuring continuity of supply
One of the Gnis missions is to match the supply of the seed market to demand. Climatic events can have a major impact on the quantity and quality of seed production, directly influencing the market. Adapting production to the market is a challenge for professionals, who have to take into account not just species but also a large number of varieties.
Constantly improving quality
Improving the quality of seeds is a permanent objective. There are numerous factors influencing quality: for example, during field production, certain species (beet, vegetables. Maize...) are prone to cross pollination from outside, potentially reducing varietal purity, necessitating the establishment of protected zones. Sanitary quality for certain species (sunflower, beans, potatoes...) is a major preoccupation, also requiring the setting-up of such protected zones.
Improving competitiveness
The different sections of the Gnis participate in financing numerous experimental programs to improve seed and plant production. Maintaining France's leading position requires highly competitive seed growers.
Meeting the needs of end users
The needs of seed plant users are constantly evolving.
As well as giving guidance on breeding programs, the Gnis proposes adaptations to the official catalogue of species and varieties (for example, the creation of a list of traditional varieties for home gardeners, a specific catalogue for turf grass varieties...).
The Gnis also makes recommendations on marketing regulations: lists of varieties, quality standards, packaging, labelling.