NEWS

Plants are unique organisms. They can produce sugars just from sunlight, carbon dioxide and water. This ability to directly synthesize their own food has enabled plants to successfully colonise, adapt to, and diversify within almost every niche on the planet. Biologists estimate the total number of plant species to be about 250,000. Plants are the primary producers of biomass providing animals and humankind with food, feed, fiber, medicine, chemicals, energy, purified air and an enjoyable landscape.

Now the fascinating world of plants will be in the spotlight: to highlight the importance of plants and plant sciences, the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO www.epsoweb.org), invites you to celebrate the fifth Fascination of Plants Day on and around May 18th 2019. For this purpose, scientific institutions, universities, botanical gardens and museums, together with schools, farmers and companies will offer a variety of plant-based interactive events and activities for all interested people from toddlers to grandparents.

So, join us to celebrate the Fascinations of Plants on 18th Mary 2019!

Read more about Fascinations of Plants Day 2019.

EPSO publishes its statement to the ruling of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on organisms obtained by mutagenesis (case C-528/16) stating that the ruling disregards scientific evidence.

Genome editing is not the only answer to current challenges of agriculture and society, but it represents an important tool for harnessing plant science knowledge toward a future-ready agriculture, for allowing Europe to play a leading role in innovative plant science, and to contribute to the bioeconomy by boosting the performance of underutilised plant species and biological resources. In the drive to achieve sustainable development goals, no useful tool should be neglected. EPSO supports a science-based change to the present European legislation and proposes to establish a legislation adapted to future technological developments by increasing emphasis on product-based risk assessment. Meanwhile, further tangible commitment is needed to support, inform and communicate about innovative plant science and its societal role.

EPSO is delighted to announce the launch of the fifth Fascination of Plants Day (FoPD), which will take place on May 18th 2019!

The Fascination of Plants Day celebrates the wonder and importance of plants and plant sciences. It hosts a wide variety of plant-based interactive community events run by scientific institutions, universities, botanical gardens and museums, together with schools, farmers and companies across the globe. With 44 countries worldwide so far having confirmed their participation, this year's international Fascination of Plants Day is set to be the largest and most international yet.

We invite everyone to engage in the Fascination of Plants Day whether as an event organiser, visitor or the media!

See our press statement for full details.

Read the public version of the EPSO Newsletter - Spring 2019 or log in to the Members Only section to access the full version.