Interview with Rose Souza Richard, Director of Phytosanitary Affairs and Seed Related Innovation at the International Seed Federation (ISF) and Chair of the ePhyto Industry Advisory Group (IAG).

In March 2025, a new report titled Investing in trade digitalization: the case of ePhyto was published by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This report, which explores how digitalization can contribute to smoother cross-border agrifood trade, also outlines the economic impact of making the leap from paper to electronic phytosanitary certificates – called ePhytos. The ePhyto Solution is a digital transformation success story.

We wanted to hear what Rose Souza Richards had to say about the report findings on the economic impact of switching to digital phytosanitary certificates. Rose’s perspective was particularly interesting as Director of Phytosanitary Affairs and Seed Related Innovation at the ISF, an organization representing the global seed industry, and Chair of the IAG, which brings together stakeholders from the global seed and plant industries to support the implementation of electronic phytosanitary certification.

Q1. As the Chair of the ePhyto Advisory Group, can you share an experience or example that highlights the transformative potential of ePhytos for plant and plant products trade?

Absolutely. One example that really captures the transformative power of ePhytos comes from countries that exchanged their very first electronic certificate. The moment they switched from paper to digital – even with just one trading partner – we saw border clearance times drop dramatically.

What used to take days because of courier delays, manual checks, or even lost or damaged certificates, suddenly became a matter of minutes.

In the seed sector, this is particularly impactful. Seeds are high-value, and trade is incredibly time-sensitive. When a certificate arrives instantly and securely, companies can plan with much more confidence. They avoid delays, protect the quality of the shipment, and reduce the stress that comes with uncertainty.

As a result, even though ePhytos may seem like a small technical shift, the ripple effect across the supply chain is significant.

Q2. From your perspective, what are some concrete savings enabled by ePhytos for companies trading plant and plant products?

There are several very tangible savings.

First, companies immediately reduce courier and printing costs – no more paying to physically move documents around the world or storing piles of paper certificates.

Second, the risk of delays at the border drops dramatically. When a certificate is sent electronically, it doesn’t get lost, damaged or stuck in transit. That alone can save companies from demurrage fees or spoiled perishable products.

Third, logistics become far more predictable. Instant document exchange helps companies better plan shipping windows, reduce the need for buffer stock and streamline operations.

And finally, the administrative load is much lighter. Staff spend less time re-typing data or correcting errors, and communication flows more smoothly across teams.

When you combine all of that, many companies are saving a lot of money every year – and that’s before we even consider the value of fewer disruptions and more resilient supply chains.

Q3. Have you or your team encountered any challenges in promoting the adoption of ePhytos by countries, subsectors and/or companies? How did you handle these challenges?

Yes, definitely. There have been a few recurring challenges.

One is the difference in digital readiness between countries. Some National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) are very advanced, while others are still developing basic electronic systems. In those cases, we adapt our support so that it matches each country’s starting point – step by step, without overwhelming anyone.

We also hear concerns about system compatibility. Companies want to know that their internal systems will connect smoothly with national and international platforms. Early engagement with IT teams, clear technical guidance and sharing success stories from similar companies all help build confidence.

Then there’s the human side: change management. Moving from paper to digital requires a cultural shift, so we focus on showing the practical benefits – time saved, fewer errors and more predictability. Once people see that, the resistance usually softens.

And of course, not all trading partners move at the same pace. When one country is ready and another is not, we encourage pilots, coordination between NPPOs and targeted support to accelerate progress.

Overall, we take a collaborative approach – working closely with governments, industry and the International Plant Protection Convention to make sure no one is left behind.

Q4. Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of digital trade tools like ePhytos in the plant and plant product sectors?

What excites me most is the shift from digital documents to truly digital processes. ePhytos are a crucial first step, but the future is about integration – connecting certificates to bigger systems like risk-based inspections, real-time traceability, pre-arrival checks and even predictive analytics.

For the seed sector, this opens the door to more consistent implementation of international standards, better risk management and trade that is faster, safer and much more transparent.

It also builds resilience. With climate change, new pests and increasingly complex supply chains, we need digital tools that help countries react quickly and make informed decisions.

At the end of the day, this is not just about efficiency. It’s about trust, transparency and strengthening global plant health systems. The momentum we’re seeing now gives me a lot of optimism for the years ahead.