Anne Alix
Policy and Risk Management at Corteva Agriscience
Monday, 26nd October:
SFG Section Forages and Grasses (open meeting) 08.30-10.30
Background and professional experience:
Anne Alix is Distinguished Laureate for Policy and Risk Management at Corteva Agriscience, covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa. With more than 25 years of experience in plant protection product risk assessment, she advises on sustainability policy, risk management, precision application technologies and digital labelling.
Prior to joining Corteva in 2011, Anne held senior scientific and regulatory positions at INRA, AFSSA (now ANSES) and the French Ministry of Agriculture. She holds a PhD in Integrated Pest Management from the University of Rennes and has extensive expertise in pesticide regulation, environmental risk assessment and regulatory policy development.
Yasmine Ambrogio
Manager Research Policy and Project Coordination
Wednesday, 27nd October:
SVO Section Vegetables & Ornamentals (open meeting) 10.00-11.30
Background and professional experience:
Yasmine Ambrogio is German-Italian and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Management from the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano and a Master of Science in Food Quality and Safety from the University of Bayreuth. She worked as a Junior Researcher at the Chair of Food Law at the University of Bayreuth. In this role, she contributed to various research projects and gained valuable experience in the field of food law, policy and project coordination.
In May 2025, Yasmine joined Euroseeds as Manager Research Policy and Project Coordination. In this role, she is responsible for developing Euroseeds’ strategic research agenda and coordinating the organization’s involvement in EU-funded projects.
Ed Barker
Head of Policy and External Affairs at the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC)
Tuesday, 27th October:
SVO Section Vegetables & Ornamentals (open) 10.00 – 11.30
Background and professional experience:
Ed Barker is Head of Policy and External Affairs at the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), joining in 2020. The AIC represents agri-supply businesses in the UK, covering five sectors: seed, agri-commodities, animal feed, fertiliser and crop protection whilst running a number of trade assurance schemes. In this role, he leads on policy and oversees the AIC’s UK government affairs activity.
Ed is a Board Member of COCERAL, the European association representing the trade in cereals, oilseeds, pulses, and agro-supply, and also sits on the UK Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) under the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Ed also sits on the UK Government’s Precision Breeding (gene editing) Working Group, where he chairs the subgroup on trade and the internal market.
Prior to AIC, Ed has worked in farm management and agricultural policy roles since 2010. Ed is also a partner in a 510 Ha arable family farming business in Suffolk, Eastern England.
Henry Bellshaw
Uk Agriculture, Food and Drink Attaché for Southern and Eastern Europe
Tuesday, 27th October:
SVO Section Vegetables & Ornamentals (open) 10.00 – 11.30
Background and professional experience:
Henry Bellshaw is the UK Agriculture, Food and Drink Attaché for Southern and Eastern Europe, based at the British Embassy in Madrid. He works to strengthen UK agri-food trade and market access across the region, engaging with governments, industry and international organisations on SPS policy, agricultural innovation and UK-EU trade relations. Prior to this, Henry was a negotiator from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the UK’s FTA negotiations with Australia and India.
Hein Bemelmans
Chief Commercial Officer at Enza Zaden and Chair of the SVO Section
Tuesday, 27th October:
SVO Section Vegetables & Ornamentals (open): 10.00 – 11.30
Background and professional experience:
Throughout his entire career, Hein Bemelmans has been active in the professional horticultural industry in different roles.
He holds a Bachelors degree in Agricultural Engineering and a Masters degree in Business. After working in the international fresh-produce industry in the US and EU for 20 years, he joined the Enza Zaden Board in 2007 in the role of Chief Commercial Officer. He has held that role since.
During his career in the seed business Hein fulfilled many roles in industry related organisations. He served as the Chairman of Seed Valley, held positions in International commissions in Plantum, he also served at the board of AIB. Currently Hein is serving on the board of Naktuinbouw and Euroseeds and holds the position of the Chair of the vegetable seeds section.
Etienne Bouquet
Regional Portolio Lead- Seed Licensing EMEA-APAC and Chair of SOF
Monday, 26th October:
SOF Section Oil and Fibre (open) 16.30 – 18.30
Background and professional experience:
Etienne Bouquet is Associate Marketing Director – Europe Middle East Africa Asia Pacific, Seed Licensing Manager Vylor™ Versoix, Switzerland
Etienne Bouquet is leading the seed licensing activities in Europe Middle East Africa Asia Pacific at Vylor. In this role, he develops the Licensing strategy for Europe and coordinates its implementation with the local commercial teams.
Since October 2024, Etienne is leading the Chairmanship of the Section of Oil and Fiber crops at Euroseed, the
European Seed Industry association. Prior to his current function, Etienne Bouquet was Leading the Cotton and Soybean Portfolio at Corteva (2018-
2026) and was holding the role of General Manager of Dow Seeds Europe (2015-2017), Dow AgroSciences
based in Rastatt, Germany.
Before, he was Corn and oilseeds Portfolio Marketing Leader, Dow Seeds Europe (2014-2015), based in Germany; Early Stage Commercial Assessment Leader (2010-2014), based in Indianapolis, United States; and Marketing Specialist Dow Seeds Europe (2008-2010), based in Nice, France. He started his career with Dow AgroSciences Crop Protection in Sales in 1996 and moved through sales, marketing, and geographical roles.
Etienne Bouquet holds an Engineer’s degree in Agronomy from the National Agronomy School of Rennes, France.
Shawn Brook
President Seed World Group
Tuesday, 27th October:
Seed Of The Union 2026 – Keynote session (Open meeting) 14.00 – 16.00
Euroseeds2025 INNOVACTOR Ceremony (open) 16.30 – 17.30
Background and professional experience:
“Doing the right thing may not always be easy, but it is always the right thing!”
Shawn is dedicated to this principle and takes pride in working with a team of exceptionally talented colleagues at Seed World Group. With 30+ years of management experience spanning various private and public sector industries, Shawn focuses on solutions and contributes to shaping the ag communications landscape. His extensive global travels have allowed him to build a vast network and gain diverse experiences, which he leverages to help clients enhance their businesses and maximize their return on investment. Shawn brings a systematic approach to business development growth that allows teams to not just come together but demand success. Remember that if you are not telling your story – who is? Content is king, and flawless execution is essential!
Marcel Bruins
Seed World Europe Editorial Director
Monday, 26th October:
SOF Section Oil & Fibre (open) 16.30 – 18.30
Background and professional experience:
Marcel Bruins studied plant breeding and plant pathology at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands and received a PhD for the research he did in Fusarium resistance in wheat. After that he worked for 10 years at plant breeding company Seminis Vegetables Seeds as manager of Plant Variety Protection. In 2007 he became secretary-general at the International Seed Federation (ISF) and guided the ISF into the modern era of communication, and greatly increased the service to its members. After seven successful years at ISF, he started as an independent consultant in the seed business. He led the secretariat of the International Grain Trade Coalition (IGTC) through a phase of transition and continued working as their scientific advisor. Besides being the editorial director of European Seed magazine, he has been helping profit and non-profit organizations in the seed and grain sector with their questions on the seed industry and their ever-increasing regulations, plant breeding, plant breeders’ rights, intellectual property, trade facilitation and international outreach.
Clément Cardon
Manager Public Affairs
Tuesday, 27th October:
SVO Section Vegetables & Ornamentals : 10.00 – 11.30
Background and professional experience:
Clément Cardon studied Philosophy and Sociology at the Sorbonne University, and at Georgia State University where he taught philosophy. He also holds an MA in Environmental Policy from Sciences Po Paris, with a focus on agriculture and communications. He is fluent in French, English and Norwegian.
Before joining Euroseeds, Clément worked as a Program Manager at Edelman Brussels, advising agri-food clients on EU and international public affairs and communications. He also served as Junior Policy Advisor at FarmTech Society, the association representing the controlled-environment agriculture sector.
At Euroseeds, Clément is Public Affairs Manager, responsible for the association’s public affairs strategy and advocacy outreach, engaging with EU institutions and members.
Nicolas Colliot
Field Crops Strategy and Portfolio Management at SYNGENTA
Monday, 26th October:
SPO Section Oil and Fibre (open): 16.30 – 18.30
Background and professional experience:
Nicolas Colliot studied general economics and started his career in other businesses (Luxury goods, Pharmaceuticals) but fell in love with Seeds when he joined Syngenta in 2007. After several positions in Finance and Marketing, Nicolas is currently in charge of the Strategy and Portfolio management for Field Crops seeds at Syngenta Europe.
Szonja Csörgő
Legal Counsel – Bejo Zaden Belgium B.V.
Monday, 26th October:
SCP Section Cereals and Pulses (open): 14.00 – 16.00
Background and professional experience:
Szonja Csörgő is a lawyer, graduated from ELTE Budapest University in 2006. After having worked for 2 years in the European Commission, she joined Euroseeds as in-house legal counsel responsible for IP and other legal matters as well as genetic resources. Between 2023 and 2025, she briefly worked in a similar role in the International Seed Federation and in March 2025 she joined Bejo Zaden, a Dutch, family-owned vegetable seed company, as Legal Counsel. In her role at Bejo, she also supports association work and contributes to the IP and Genetic Resources committees in Euroseeds.
Amelie Detterbeck
Manager Research Projects and Innovation Transfer
Monday, 26nd October:
Innovation stage – Session I (open meeting) 10.00-11.00
Background and professional experience:
Amelie is German and studied Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences and Molecular Ecology at the Technical University of Munich and at the University of Bayreuth. She completed her PhD at the University of Bayreuth and at the University of Copenhagen shedding light on the mechanisms of micronutrient accumulation in barley seeds.
In November 2018, Amelie joined Euroseeds as Manager Research Projects and Innovation Transfer. She is providing expertise and support on the valorisation of research results in several Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe research and innovation projects.
Paul Devisme
Deputy General Manager for Europe at Limagrain and Chair of SMS Section
Monday, 26th October:
SMS Section Maize and Sorghum (open) – 11.00 – 13.00
Background and professional experience:
In October 2024, Paul Devisme, Deputy General Manager for Europe, with Limagrain, became the new head of the corn and sorghum division of Euroseeds – an organization that represents all seed producers at the European level.
Paul Devisme worked on different continents (Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa), first in the field of gardener’s seeds, with Vilmorin-Mikado, then with HM Clause, before joining the Limagrain Group in June 2023, where he covered a wider range of seeds. Within Euroseeds, he supports the new – sorghum – challenge with much enthusiasm.
The corn and sorghum division of Euroseeds is made up of forty-eight members who come from different seed companies. They gather twice a year.
Jovan Djordjevic
Director, UC Davis Plant Breeding Academy
Tuesday, 27th October:
Seed Of The Union 2026 – Keynote session (Open meeting) 14.00 – 16.00
Background and professional experience:
Dr. Jovan Djordjevic brings 25+ years of global breeding and entrepreneurial leadership to Euroseeds 2026. With a track record of launching over 200 hybrid varieties across field and vegetable crops worldwide, from maize and canola to tomatoes and cucurbits, he has led high-impact Breeding programs in France, Canada, and California with Monsanto and Nunhems/Bayer.
Currently the Director of the UC Davis Plant Breeding Academy (PBA), Chair of the CSA Plant Breeding Committee, and Co-Founder of Murray River Seed Co, Jovan blends academic excellence with hands-on seed business expertise. In Valencia, he is proud to honor the next generation of industry leaders by presenting the European UC Davis European PBA Outstanding Student Award.
Alexander Döring
Secretary General FEFAC
Monday, 26th October:
SMS Section Oil and Fibre (open) 16.30 – 18.30
Tuesday, 27th October:
Seed Of The Union 2026 – Keynote session (Open meeting) 14.00 – 16.00
Background and professional experience:
Alexander Döring graduated as an Agricultural Economist at the University of Bonn (1991). He has been Secretary General of FEFAC for over 30 years, having been appointed in 1994. In his working experience as FEFAC Secretary General, he has been a regular participant in European Commission Advisory & Civil Society Dialogue Groups, EFSA stakeholder platform meetings, EC seminars & training workshops on Feed Hygiene, as well as meetings of international Organisations including Codex Alimentarius, FAO, and IFIF.
Martin Ekvad
Director of Legal Affairs at International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV)
Monday, 26th October:
SFG Section Cereals and Pulses (open) – 14.00 – 16.00
Background and professional experience :
Mr. Martin Ekvad is the Director of Legal Affairs at the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), a position he has held since October 2023.
From 2021 to 2023, he founded and led Ekvad Consulting, advising clients primarily on intellectual property rights and EU regulatory affairs. Prior to that, he served as President of the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) from 2011 to 2021, where he oversaw the granting of intellectual property rights for new plant varieties within the European Union.
Earlier in his career, he was Head of the Legal Unit at CPVO (2003–2011) and practiced law as an Avocat at Linklaters in Brussels and Magnusson Wahlin Advokatbyrå in Stockholm (1996–2003), focusing on intellectual property rights and competition law. He began his legal career at the Swedish civil court (1994–1996).
He holds a law degree from the University of Lund, Sweden, and an LL.M. from King’s College London.
Nils Elmegaard
Secretary General at Danish Seed Association and Chair of the SFG Section
Monday, 26th October:
SFG Section Forages and Grasses (open) 08.30 – 10.30
Background and professional experience :
Nils Elmegaard is Secretary General at the Danish Seed Association.
Cand.agro (1991)
1992-2001: Teaching at agricultural colleges etc.
2001-2006: Danish Agricultural Council – policy issues like international trade, CAP
2007-present: SG at the Danish Seed Council
Spyridon Flevaris
Policy officer at European Commission
Monday, 26th October:
SCP Section Cereals and Pulses (open) – 14.00 – 16.00
Background and professional experience :
Agronomist by training. Working at the European Commission since 2010, currently as team leader for plant reproductive material at the Plant Health Unit of the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE), co-ordinating the activities in the policy areas of plant reproductive material, plant variety rights and plant genetic resources. Previously worked at DG Environment as policy officer for biodiversity and at DG Agriculture and Rural Development as auditor of direct payments. Before joining the Commission, worked in Greece as agronomist in the public and private sector.
Andreas Frank
Defense Leader & Partner, Forensic & Integrity Services, EY
Tuesday, 27th October:
Seed Of The Union 2026 – Keynote session (Open meeting) 14.00 – 16.00
Euroseeds2026 INNOVACTOR Ceremony (open) 16.30h – 17.30h
Francesca Garbato
Intellectual Property and Legal Affairs Manager at Euroseeds
Monday, 26th October:
SCP Section Cereals and Pulses (open) 14.00 – 16.00
Background and professional experience:
Francesca is Italian and holds a Master Degree in Law from the University of Bologna, an LL.M. in International Business Law from the University of Tilburg and an LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law and Knowledge Management from the University of Maastricht.
Francesca worked as an Intellectual Property Law expert in different international organisations and has extensive knowledge in this field.
Francesca joined the Euroseeds team in December 2023 as Manager Intellectual Property and Legal Affairs and advises on IP and legal matters.
Markus Gierth
Manager Plant Innovation
Monday, 26th October:
SVO Section Maize and Sorghum (open): 11.00 – 13.00
Background and professional experience:
Markus Gierth has been with the German Plant Breeder’s Association (BDP) as Manager Plant Innovation since 2016. In this role, he is responsible for molecular methods such as genome editing applied in plant breeding. A molecular plant physiologist by training, he previously held research positions at the University of Cologne, Germany and the University of California, San Diego. He earned a PhD from the University of Hannover in plant biology.
Pierre Guillaumin
Project Manager for Economics and International Development
Monday, 26th October:
SMS Section Maize and Sorghum (open): – 11.00 – 13.00
Background and professional experience:
For 12 years Pierre GUILLAUMIN has been working at the French National Federation of Seed Corn and Seed Sorghum (FNPSMS).
He is mainly focused on market research and international development, with the aim to improve and develop synergies and partnerships between all the stakeholders of the seed corn and seed sorghum production, in France and internationally.
Sevda Haghi Kia
Global Regulatory Affairs Manager for Seed Treatment & Biologicals at KWS
Monday, 26th October:
SFG Section Forage and Grasses (open): – 08.30 – 10.30
Background and professional experience:
Dr. Sevda Haghi Kia, is Global Regulatory Affairs Manager for Seed Treatment & Biologicals at KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA. She has more than 13 years of experience across the agricultural value chain, spanning research, product development, biological crop protection, seed treatment, and regulatory affairs. She obtained her MSc in Agricultural Science from Friedrich-Wilhelms University of Bonn, specializing in the use of allelopathic biochemical compounds for sustainable weed management, and subsequently earned her PhD in Biology from Goethe University Frankfurt, where her research focused on plant-microbe interactions and fungal endophytes. She later joined the University of Göttingen as a lecturer and laboratory leader in mycological biotechnology before moving into industrial research, product development, and regulatory affairs roles at Bayer CropScience Biologics GmbH, Knoell Germany GmbH, and KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA.
She is actively involved in European and national industry associations, serving as Chair of the Regulatory Requirements Working Group within the Euroseeds Crops & Seed Treatment Committee and contributing to regulatory discussions for seed treatment through the German industry association BDP (Bundesverband Deutscher Pflanzenzüchter).
Claudia Hallebach
Head of Global Legal and Intellectual Property / General Counsel at KWS Group
Monday, 26th October:
SCP Section Cereals & Pulses : 14.00 – 16.00
Background and professional experience:
Claudia Hallebach is General Counsel and Head of Global Intellectual Property at KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA, where she is responsible for the company’s global legal, intellectual property and governmental affairs activities. She joined KWS in 2008 and has held several leadership positions within the Legal and IP functions.
Claudia serves as Chair of the Agricultural Crop Licensing Platform (ACLP) and of the Euroseeds CIPR. In addition, she represents KWS in various national and international industry associations, including BDP and ISF.
She studied law in Frankfurt, Cologne, and Leicester and holds an LL.M. in European and International Law from the University of London. Before joining KWS, she worked at the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and later served as Managing Director of the Agricultural Committee of the Federation of German Industries (BDI).
María José Catalá
Valencia Mayor
Tuesday, 27th October:
Seed Of The Union 2026 – Keynote session (Open meeting) 14.00 – 16.00
Jean-Paul Judson
Founder at NowMore
Wednesday, 28th October:
Euroseeds NextGen Forum: Empowering the Next Generation in Plant Sciences (open) (open) – 09.30 – 12.45
Background and professional experience:
Being half-English, half-French, Jean-Paul Judson combines two approaches to life: whether it’s in law, politics, education, comedy or culture, nothing can be more different than each side of the Channel. This is why he learnt to contemplate sometimes contradicting options before making a decision – which makes him, profoundly, a moderator.
From his experience in European public affairs, his areas of expertise are: local, regional and urban policy; research & innovation; plant breeding, seed production and agriculture; climate action and circular economy; packaging; sports; gender politics.
Jean-Paul speaks English, French and Spanish.
Amalia Kafka
Technical Manager Sustainable Seed Technologies
Tuesday, 27st October:
SPO Section Potatoes (open) – 08.00 – 09.30
Background and professional experience:
Amalia is Greek and is agronomist by training. She graduated from Wageningen University in the Netherlands with a double MSc in Plant Science and Food Safety & Food Quality Management. She also holds an MSc in Plant Protection from the Agricultural University of Athens.
After her studies, she worked as auditor for the certification of PDO and PGI products. Additionally, she participated in research projects of the European Food Safety Authority and the Catholic University of Italy.
Within Euroseeds, Amalia is responsible of issues related to plant protection and more specifically, for their sustainable application to seeds through seed treatments technologies or during seed production.
Amalia is also managing the crop sections seed potatoes and sugar beet.
Klára Kipielová
Manager Advocacy Coordination
Monday, 26st October:
SMS Section Maize & Sorghum 11.00 – 13.00
Background and professional experience:
Klára is Czech and holds a Master of Arts degree in Politics from the University of Glasgow and a Master of Laws degree in Human Rights Law from the University of Edinburgh.
Before joining Euroseeds, she worked as a Policy Officer at the Czech Ministry of the Environment, where she was responsible for the coordination of the ministry’s work related to meetings at the Council of the European Union and also served as the Czech alternate member of the European Environment Agency’s Management Board.
She further gained first-hand experience working in the European Commission in 2023, where she worked in the Ukraine Service.
Klára joined Euroseeds in April 2026 as Manager Advocacy Coordination, and is responsible for the coordination of advocacy activities between Euroseeds and its wider membership.
Annette Kliemann
First Counsellor Agriculture and Food
Tuesday, 27th October:
SMS Section Vegetables and Ornamentals (open) – 10.00 – 11.30
Background and professional experience:
After a career as competition lawyer in private practice, Annette joined the European Commission in 2009. Dealing with state aid and antitrust issues in DG Competition until 2015, Annette joined DG Agriculture, where she held various positions as a legal and policy officer. She worked in particular on market governance, producer organisations, unfair trading practices, law enforcement and the Strategic Cap Plans. In 2022, Annette became the agricultural and food counsellor at the EU Delegation in London, where she follows UK farming and food issues, including agri-food trade between the EU and the UK.
Nathalie Lecocq
Director General of FEDIOL
Monday, 26th October:
SOF Section Oil and Fibre (open) – 16.30 – 18.30
Background and professional experience:
Nathalie Lecocq, Director General of FEDIOL, is French citizen, graduated in agro-economics from Bonn University, Germany, with over 30 years of experience in European agrifood organisations and advocacy, joined FEDIOL in 2009 and leading the association since then.
FEDIOL is the Brussels-based organisation representing the EU vegetable oil and protein meal industry towards European Institutions and international organisations. The FEDIOL team is carrying out numerous activities for its members and advocacy for the industry’s common interests in policy areas related to food and feed safety, nutrition & health, labelling, environment, renewables, agriculture, sustainable sourcing and trade.
Philippe Lesigne
EMEA Crop Regulatory Lead, Corn & Industrial Crops
Monday, 26th October:
SMS Section Maize & Sorghum (open): 11.00 – 13.00
Background and professional experience:
Philippe Lesigne is a lead person within The Regulatory Science organization of Bayer Crop Science with a specific focus on Seeds. Philippe has an international role out of Brussels, Belgium.
Since almost 40 years, Philippe works within the seed sector.
Dealing with plant breeding, product development, portfolio management, as well as with regulatory matter, Philippe consecutively served the agricultural seeds and the vegetable seeds industries.
During all those years, Philippe, and his teams, engaged with our industry organizations at national, regional and global levels contributing to shaping a workable and relevant regulatory environment for the development and registration of varieties, the production, the movements and the marketing of seeds, in Europe and some other geographies.
More specifically, Philippe actively engaged, on behalf of our sector, with the OECD Seed organization in the last 16 years together with dedicated members of Euroseeds secretariat. Participation in the different yearly rounds of meetings of this international organization, critical for our sector, allowed us to consistently bring our viewpoints in all projects discussed, propose the support of our sector and entertain close connectivity.
José María Castilla Baró
Lobbyist and Political Consultant. Head of Office to the EU. Alternate Member in the European Economic & Social Committee (#EESC) and the European Food Safety Authority (#EFSA)
Monday, 26th October:
SFG Section Forages & Grasses : 08.30 – 10.30
SCP Section Cereals & Pulses : 14.00 – 16.00
Background and professional experience:
José María Castilla Baró is Director of the ASAJA Office in Brussels, where he represents the interests of Spanish farmers and ranchers before the European institutions. He is a member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE), and an alternate member of the Management Board of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). A specialist in public affairs, political communication, and institutional relations, he has developed his professional career as a consultant in political and public affairs. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Villanueva University, a Master’s degree in Political and Corporate Communication from the University of Navarra, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Affairs and Lobbying from Comillas Pontifical University (ICADE).
Claudius Marondedze
Euroseeds Technical Manager Plant Health and Seed Trade
Tuesday, 27th October:
SVO Section Vegetables and Ornamentals (open): 10.00 – 11.30
Background and professional experience:
Claudius is Zimbabwean and a French resident. He holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa following a BSc Honours in Biochemistry from the University of Zimbabwe.
Claudius has several years of international research experience in plant functional biology and seed physiology. In 2010, he joined King Abdullah University of Science and Technology as a postdoctoral fellow and in 2015, he joined the University of Cambridge as a research fellow in the department of biochemistry. In 2017, he received a Marie Curie Individual Fellowship and joined the Laboratoire Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale at CEA in Grenoble, France. Since 2020, he was Researcher Seed Technology at Rijk Zwaan in the Netherlands.
Claudius joined Euroseeds in September 2021 as Technical Manager Plant Health and Seed Trade.
Ana Judith Martín de la Fuente
Biotechnology Area Coordinator. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Spain.
Monday, 26th October:
SMS Section Maize and Sorghum (open): 11.00 – 13.00
Background and professional experience:
Ana Judith Martín studied Veterinary Medicine at University of León (Spain) and obtained her PhD in microbiology and immunology. She is a member of the National Veterinary Body and a regular member of Veterinary Sciences Academy in Castilla y León.
Since 2010 she works in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, where she has held different technical responsibilities in the Secretary of Maritime Fisheries and the Secretary of Agriculture. In 2012 she began working in the field of biotechnology where she currently serves as a Coordinator of the Biotechnology Division and Secretary of the Interministerial Council of GMOs. Her areas of responsibility cover GMOs and NGTs. She is also the representative of Spain in the SCPAFF GMFF, Committee for Directive 2001/EC and Directive 2009/41/EC and Council Working Parties dealing with NGTs and Cartagena Protocol.
Francesco Mattina
President at Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO)
Monday, 26th October:
SCP Section Cereals and Pulses (open) – 14.00 – 16.00
Background and professional experience:
Francesco Mattina is an Italian lawyer and intellectual property specialist who has served as President of the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) since 1 February 2022, following his appointment by the Council of the European Union in December 2021.
He holds a law degree from the University of Parma and postgraduate specialisations in EU Law from the European College of Parma and Intellectual Property Law from the University of Alicante. Before joining the CPVO in 2013, he worked as an attorney and partner in national and international law firms and later as a senior legal adviser at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
At the CPVO, he served as Head of the Legal Unit from 2013 to 2017 and as Vice-President from 2017 to 2022. His responsibilities have covered plant variety rights, EU litigation, legal and administrative matters, international relations, communication, policy and external outreach.
Born in 1971, he speaks Italian, English, Spanish and French fluently and has knowledge of German.
Anja Matzk
Head of Regulatory Affairs at KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA
Monday, 26th October:
SMS Section Maize and Sorghum (open) – 11.00 – 13.00
Background and professional experience:
Anja Matzk, Ph.D., is Head of Regulatory Affairs at KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA and leads the company’s global regulatory activities related to GMOs, genome editing, and seed treatment across research, product development, and commercialization. With 30 years of experience in the seed industry, she combines extensive industry expertise with a background in biosafety research and biotechnology regulation gained at a German federal authority. She is Chair of the Plant Biotechnology Section of the German Plant Breeders’ Association (BDP), Deputy Member of the German Central Commission for Biological Safety (ZKBS), and Board Member of the Global Stewardship Group (GSG).
Aurelia Nicault
Programme Officer in the Codes and Schemes Unit of the OECD Trade and Agriculture Directorate
Monday, 26th October:
SMS Section Maize and Sorghum (open): 11.00 – 13.00
Background and professional experience:
Aurélia Nicault is Programme Officer in the Codes and Schemes Unit of the OECD Trade and Agriculture Directorate where she supports the implementation of the OECD Seed Schemes programme, in particular capacity building activities in developing countries. Prior to this, Aurelia worked in the Director’s Office for over 10 years coordinating the work and meetings of the Directorate’s Committees for Agriculture, Trade and Fisheries. Before joining the OECD, Aurelia was in the steel industry working as sales coordinator for Europe at Sumitomo Corporation. Aurélia holds a Degree in Economics & International Trade from Arts et Metiers in Paris.
Steffen Noleppa
Managing Director at HFFA Research GmbH
Tuesday, 27th October:
SPO Section Potatoes 08.00 – 09.30
Background and professional experience:
For more than 30 years working as an agricultural economist, Steffen has been involved in the analysis of global agricultural markets and rural policies as well as environmental and transition processes. He has long-standing experience in ex-post and ex-ante impact assessments and evaluations of agricultural technologies and policies – with special emphasis on plant breeding and protection –, in modelling of agricultural markets and food sectors, cost-benefit and societal analyses. Since many years, he has also been working intensively in the field of climate change and environmental economics. He advises private companies, governments and administration as well as lobby groups and NGOs on agricultural and environmental change processes across the globe.
Steffen is the managing director as well as the owner of HFFA Research GmbH. He holds a Ph.D. in agricultural economics and a master’s degree in animal husbandry, both from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
Concepción Novillo
Bayer Cropscience, Chair Committee Plant Breeding ANOVE
Monday, 26th October:
SMS Section Maize & Sorghum 11.00 – 13.00
Sergio Pasquini
Vice President ISTA
Monday, 26th October:
SVO Section Oil and Fibre (open): 16.30 – 18.30
Background and professional experience:
Sergio is an agronomist…for almost 40 years. He has been working on determining the quality of
agricultural and forestry seeds. He also dealt with legislation related to forestry issues. Past Assistant to Italian Delegate of Ministry for Forestry Species in OECD Forest Scheme Working Group. Main activity was the implementation of the OECD Forest Seed and Plant Scheme, a certification
system to facilitate international trade in forest seeds and plants, with the creation of Rules for the certification of Forest Reproductive Material (FRM) moving in international trade. International Training Consultant on Seed Germination/ISTA Accreditation Standards Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Quality Manager in ITML06 Seed Testing Laboratory, the only Italian lab accredited to International Seed
Testing Association (ISTA) for testing seed quality of forestry species.
ISTA Vice President, Chair of Tetrazolium Committee (TEZ), Member of Moisture (MOI), Proficiency Test
(PTC) and Wild Species (WSC) Committees. Former vice-Chair of Forest Tree and Shrub Committee (FTS).
Artur Paszkowski
Deputy Director of the Polish Seed Trade Association (Polska Izba Nasienna)
Monday, 26th October:
SCP Section Cereals and Pulses (open): 14.00 – 16.00
Background and professional experience:
Artur Paszkowski seed sector expert and Deputy Director of the Polish Seed Trade Association (Polska Izba Nasienna) based in Poznań, Poland. He has extensive experience in seed policy, plant breeding, seed production, and the development of regulatory frameworks supporting innovation and competitiveness in the seed sector.
In his role, he contributes to shaping national and European discussions on plant reproductive material, seed certification systems, plant breeding innovation, and the role of high-quality seed in sustainable agricultural production. He represents the Polish seed industry within key international platforms, including Euroseeds and the International Seed Federation (ISF), where he participates in expert working groups, sectoral cooperation and policy dialogue.
At the national level, his work also covers issues related to Plant Variety Protection and the practical implementation of breeders’ rights. He contributes to industry dialogue on regulatory solutions supporting the lawful use of protected varieties, fair market conditions and continued investment in plant breeding.
He is also involved in initiatives aimed at raising awareness of illegal seed practices and strengthening cooperation across the seed value chain.
Artur Paszkowski is actively involved in international research and innovation initiatives addressing plant breeding, plant health, seed quality and the availability of high-quality seed for farmers. His work supports stronger cooperation between industry, research institutions and public authorities, as well as the transition towards more resilient and sustainable agricultural systems, including organic farming. Through close cooperation with national and European stakeholders, he contributes to advancing modern seed policy and strengthening the role of the seed sector in innovation, food security and agricultural sustainability.
Isabel Pérez-Cabrero Ferrández
Counsel at J&A Garrigues (Intellectual Property Department)
Monday, 26th October:
SCP Section Cereals and Pulses (open): 14.00 – 16.00
Background and professional experience:
Isabel Pérez-Cabrero is counsel in the Industrial and Intellectual Property Department at Garrigues, where she practices in the areas of patents, trademarks, industrial designs, advertising and unfair competition, with a particular focus on plant varieties. She deals with both litigation and contractual aspects in defence of these rights, and has extensive experience advising holders of plant varieties before the Board of Appeal of the Community Plant Variety Office, the Court of Justice of the European Union and the General Court of the European Union. Isabel is a regular contributor to the Magister Lvcentinvs programme run by the University of Alicante.
Luis Planas
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Spain
Tuesday, 27th October:
Seed Of The Union 2026 – Keynote session (Open meeting) 14.00 – 16.00
Branislava Popov
Technical Manager Variety Testing and Registration
Monday, 26th October:
SMS Section Forages and Grasses (open) – 08.30 – 10.30
SOF Section Oil and Fibre (open) – 16.30 – 18.30
Background and professional experience:
Branislava has Serbian and Hungarian nationality. She obtained a Bachelor in Horticulture and a Master degree in Plant Breeding and Genetics from the University of Novi Sad, Serbia.
After her studies, she worked in various roles, focusing on plant breeding, plant variety protection processes, DUS testing, plant propagation, and fruit production, including business aspects of the horticulture industry.
Branislava joined Euroseeds in February 2025 as Technical Manager Variety Registration and Seed Marketing.
Judith Reese
Oilseed Rape Breeder
Tuesday, 27th October:
Seed Of The Union 2026 – Keynote session (Open meeting) 14.00 – 16.00
Background and professional experience:
Judith Reese studied Agricultural Sciences at the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen following her training in plant breeding, where she discovered her passion for plant breeding. As an early-career plant breeder, she is combining her scientific background with practical experience in variety development.
At Norddeutsche Pflanzenzucht Hans-Georg Lembke KG, she is responsible for the breeding of new winter oilseed rape varieties. Her responsibilities include the development and selection of breeding material, as well as the practical evaluation and advancement of new varieties.
From 2025 to 2026, Judith Reese attended the European Plant Breeding Academy (Class 8), where she further expanded her knowledge and skills in modern methods and approaches to plant breeding.
Jörg Renatus
Managing Director at EUROPLANT Pflanzenzucht and Chair of the SPO Section
Tuesday, 27th October:
SPO Section Potatoes (open): 08.00 – 09.30
Background and professional experience:
Jörg Renatus was born in 1962 and holds a degree in Business Administration. His professional experience results from several employments within the potato industry. In 1986 he started his career as export manager in a midsize potato breeding and trade organization. Later on he was appointed as Managing Director of this group of companies. Having gained a vast knowledge in national and international potato breeding and trade industry, he joined in 2002 EUROPLANT Pflanzenzucht, Lüneburg, one of the leading companies in this industry.
Since 2012 Jörg is Chairman of the Section Potatoes (SPO) and member of the Board.
Andrea Richter
Head Of SBU Oilseed Rape at KWS
Monday, 26th October:
SOF Section Oil & Fibre 16.30 – 18.30
Background and professional experience:
Andrea Richter holds a PhD in Plant Biotechnology from the University of Hanover and has built extensive experience in the seed sector over the past years. Her career path includes positions at Monsanto, DSV/Rapool, and currently KWS Saat.
She has worked in Technology Development, Product Management, and Business Development, with a strong focus on oilseed rape, alongside experience in legumes, corn, and sugar beet. Today, Andrea serves as Crop Lead for Catch Crops and Oilseed Rape at KWS Saat in Einbeck, Germany.
Gary Rudgers
Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs – Simplot Plant Sciences
Monday, 26th October:
SMS Section Maize and Sorghum (open): 11.00 – 13.00
Background and professional experience:
Dr. Gary Rudgers is Director of Regulatory Affairs at Simplot Plant Sciences with over 25 years of experience in the regulation and safety assessment of genetically engineered and gene-edited plants. He earned a Ph.D. in molecular biology from Baylor College of Medicine and completed postdoctoral research at The University of Chicago. Gary has held leadership roles in biotech innovation and regulatory strategy at Chromatin and Dow AgroSciences and currently leads Simplot’s Regulatory Affairs team in advancing the safety of new biotech potato and strawberry varieties.
Szabolcs Ruthner
Senior Market Acceptance Manager EMEA, BASF and Chair of SWG Hybrid Cereals Section
Monday, 26th October:
SCP Section Cereals and Pulses (open) – 14.00 – 16.00
Background and professional experience:
Szabolcs (Szabi) Ruthner joined ISF in 2015 as Regulatory Affairs Manager where he keeps an eye on international policy developments related to plant breeding innovation, varietal certification, and access to new plant varieties, with the aim of achieving consistent, science- and risk-based regulations across different countries. Prior to joining ISF, he worked for the Hungarian Seed Association (HSA) as professional assistant in 2004, and in 2006 he was appointed to the position of Secretary General. Szabi is a Hungarian national. He graduated from Corvinus University in Budapest where he completed a Ph.D. degree in molecular plant breeding.
Irene Sacristán Sánchez
Head of unit for Biotechnology in the Directorate General Health and Food Safety of the European Commission
Monday, 26th October:
SMS Section Maize and Sorghum (open): 11.00 – 13.00
Background and professional experience:
Irene Sacristán Sánchez is head of unit for Biotechnology in the Directorate General Health and Food Safety of the European Commission. She joined the Commission in 2003, spending several years working on the development and negotiation of pharmaceutical legislation. Most recently, Irene was head of the policy development and legislative unit in the European Anti-Fraud Office. Before joining the Commission, she worked as a lawyer in Madrid.
Hansjörg Schlichtner
Head of sales, management group SAATBAU LINZ eGen
Monday, 26th October:
SOF Section Oil and Fibre (open) – 16.30 – 18.30
Background and professional experience:
Education:
University of Bodenkultur (BOKU) / Life science, Vienna
Agricultural engineering / Plant production
Graduation 2003
Profession:
2004 Saatbau Linz eGen.
2004 – 2006: Product manager grasses, clovers
2006 – 2013: sales Austria
2013 – 2020: sales WEST EU / SOUTH EAST EU
2020 – current: head of sales, management group
Mateusz Stankiewicz
Farmer/ Oilseeds Expert/ Board Member of KZPRiRB
Monday, 26th October:
SVO Section Oil and Fibre (open): 16.30 – 18.30
Background and professional experience:
Mateusz Stankiewicz is a farmer and an expert representing Polish agricultural organisations within COPA COGECA. He serves as a Board Member of the Polish Association of Rapeseed and Protein Crop Producers (KZPRiRB), representing the interests of Polish farmers within European agricultural structures in cooperation with the National Council of Agricultural Chambers (KRIR). He also represents Polish agricultural organisations as an expert in the COPA COGECA Oilseeds and Protein Crops Working Party and the Plant Health Working Party. Mateusz is a graduate of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) and participated in an international programme at The Ohio State University. He is the co-manager of a family farm specialising in the cultivation of rapeseed, wheat, barley, sugar beet and potatoes, with a strong focus on integrating modern technologies into practical field crop production.
Gabriel Trenzado
Managing Director Cooperativas Agroalimentarias
Monday, 26th October:
SFG Section Forages & Grasses 08.30 – 10.30
Elli Tsiforou
Secretary General COPA-COGECA
Tuesday, 27th October:
Seed Of The Union 2026 – Keynote session (Open meeting) 14.00 – 16.00
Nataliia Uskova
EMEA Crop Regulatory Lead
Monday, 26th October:
SCP Section Cereals & Pulses 14.00 – 16.00
Corné van Beers Corné
General Director at Breeders Trust
Monday, 26th October:
SFG Section Forages and Grasses (open) – 08.30 – 10.30
Background and professional experience:
Corné van Beers graduated at the AHS University of Applied Sciences in Den Bosch the Netherlands in 1996, Agriculture.
Worked 13 years for the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture.
First job was inspector of the Phytosanitary Service, import and export inspections on flowers, vegetables and potatoes.
Next job at the Ministry of Agriculture was investigating officer at the General Inspection Service, focused on checking the use of Plant Protection Products. True the whole value chain: from production of the product to the use by farmers, consumers, municipalities.
Started as Projectmanager at Breeders Trust January 2012, focused on grass seeds. Working together with certifying bodies and enforcement agencies all over the world in the fight against illegal trade in the grass seeds value chain.
General Director of Breeders Trust since January 2024. With a focus on: the plant breeders’ rights interests of the shareholders of Breeders Trust, European potato breeding companies. For the members, grass seeds breeding and trading companies: illegal seeds practices regarding: grass seeds, fodder radish, clover, and white mustard.
More information about Breeders Trust is available on: www.breederstrust.eu
Hilde van Dyck
Regulatory Portfolio Strategy Manager Vegetable seeds EMEA
Tuesday, 27th October:
SVO Section Vegetables and Ornamentals (open): 10.00 – 11.30
Background and professional experience:
Marco van Leeuwen
Managing Director of Rijk Zwaan and Vice-President of Euroseeds
Tuesday, 27nd October:
Seed Of The Union 2026 – Keynote session (Open meeting) 14.00-16.00
Background and professional experience:
Marco van Leeuwen is Managing Director of Rijk Zwaan, a position he has held for the last 15 years. His areas of interest include commercial affairs, seed production and logistics. He is an alumni of IESE Business School.
After his agricultural business management study in 1993, Marco started working for Dutch vegetable seed breeding company Rijk Zwaan. Since then he has held several roles related to seed operations, marketing & sales before he was appointed as Managing Director in 2009. In this position, Marco wants to contribute towards sustainable global food production and food security with healthy vegetables.
Next to his role in Rijk Zwaan, Marco has held several (board) positions in the seed industry, amongst others as Chair of the Anti-Infringement Bureau (AIB) and President of the International Seed Federation (ISF). Currently he is and Vice-President and member of the Executive Committee of Euroseeds.
Germán Vighi
Executive Manager, Plants for the Future, Plant ETP
Tuesday, 27th October:
SVO Section Vegetables and Ornamentals (open meeting) 10.00-11.30
Wednesday, 28th October:
Euroseeds NextGen Forum: Empowering the Next Generation in Plant Sciences (open meeting) 09.30-12.45
Background and professional experience:
Germán Vighi holds a PhD in Bioscience Engineering, with a strong academic foundation in agriculture and biotechnology. His research has focused on nutrient efficiency mechanisms in tomato and apple breeding, contributing to advancements in sustainable agriculture and plant genetics. For several years, he led the Policy and Advocacy team at the GeneSprout, an initiative representing early-career researchers in plant sciences and promoting science outreach. Passionate about policy, advocacy, innovation, and science communication, he actively worked to enhance EU regulatory frameworks related to R&D in the field of agriculture, plant biology and biotechnology. Germán actively contributes to public debates at both EU and international levels, stimulating dialogue among diverse stakeholders.
Rocío Vilches Mora
Area Coordinator Sub-directorate General for Plant and Forest Health and Hygiene Directorate General for Agri-food Production Health and Animal Welfare Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Monday, 26th October:
SFG Section Forages and Grasses (open meeting) 08.30-10.30
Background and professional experience:
Rocío Vilches has served as the Sector Coordinator for Plant Protection Products at the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food since July 2025. A licensed pharmacist who successfully passed the competitive examinations for the National Corps of State Pharmacists, her career began as an Inspector of Medicinal Products and Illicit Drug Trafficking Control. She subsequently joined the Ministry of Health’s Plant Protection Products Unit, where she spent six years as a specialist toxicologist evaluating the human health effects of plant protection products. Following this, she led the non-dietary exposure assessment team for eight years.
In 2023, she was appointed Head of the Plant Protection Products Unit, a position she held until 2025, when she advanced to her current role at the Ministry of Agriculture. With a cumulative 17 years of experience in the field of plant protection products, Ms. Vilches brings a comprehensive and multidisciplinary perspective, having worked across both human health protection and agricultural production, dealt with active substances and formulated products, and served in both risk assessment and risk management capacities.
She currently represents her sector in various forums related to plant protection products, including the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF – Legislation Section), the PAI group, the Interzonal and Southern Zone Steering Committees, and the Biopesticides Working Group, among others
Antonio Villaroel
Secretary General, ANOVE and Treasurer, Euroseeds
Monday, 26th October:
SFG Section Forages and Grasses (open meeting) 08.30-10.30
Background and professional experience:
Antonio Villarroel has been working for the plant breeding and seed industry since 1995, when he joined as Lawyer and Managing Director GESLIVE, the organization created by main breeders operating in Spain to provide licensing, royalty collection and enforcement services. From 2006 he is also the Secretary General of ANOVE (“Spanish National Association of Plant Breeders”), from where he actively participates in the seed industry international organizations.
He is a member of the Intellectual Property Committee of ISF (International Seed Federation), where he chairs the Working Group on “Illegal Seed Practices”.
Mr. Villarroel has a Law Degree from Universidad Complutense of Madrid. He has published several articles and regularly gives lectures on IP and plant breeders’ rights in several Spanish Universities (Politécnica Madrid, Rey Juan Carlos Madrid, Córdoba, Alicante, Valencia).
Garlich von Essen
Euroseeds Secretary General and CEO
Tuesday, 27st October:
Seed Of The Union 2026 – Keynote session (Open meeting) –14.00 – 16.00
Wednesday, 28st October:
Euroseeds NextGen Forum: Empowering the Next Generation in Plant Sciences (open) – 09.30 – 12.45
Background and professional experience:
Garlich is German and studied Agriculture and Economics at the University of Göttingen. He started his professional career in the European Commission’s DG Agriculture before graduating in Administrative and Political Sciences from the College of Europe. Before joining the seed industry in 1999, he worked in the European Parliament in agricultural and structural policy, specifically on the EU’s R&D policy and funding instruments. Joining ESA as Director Public Affairs, he became Secretary General in 2004.
In Euroseeds, Garlich takes responsibility for the overall management of the association and its staff, the development of strategic policy campaigns on Euroseeds’ priority issues and the positioning of Europe’s seed industry vis-à-vis EU and international bodies and decision makers.
Martin von Michaelis
Partner in EY’s Assurance Practice in Berlin
Monday, 26th October:
Euroseeds2026 INNOVACTION Stage sessions I (open) – 10.00 – 11.00
Euroseeds2026 INNOVACTOR Ceremony (open) – 16.30 – 17.30
Background and professional experience:
Martin von Michaelis is a Partner in EY’s Assurance Practice in Berlin, bringing extensive expertise in audit, assurance, and taxation. A certified German Public Accountant and Tax Advisor, he works with clients across a range of industries, with a particular focus on media, technology, consumer products, and agribusiness..
Justyna Wrobel
Team Leader – DG AGRI
Monday, 26th October:
SOF Section Oil and Fibre (open) – 16.30 – 18.30
Background and professional experience:
Agricultural market economist