TECHEU FRENCH SEEDS RDI PHASE II

The operation will fund the promoter's Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) activities related to the creation, development, registration and commercialization of new field crop and vegetable seed varieties for their use in agriculture. The project is the follow-up of the French Seeds R&D project (2018-0895).

The RDI investment underpins the promoter's strategy to increase competitiveness in its various businesses, through the production of high performance seeds (field crops and vegetables) that will notably increase yields, resist to pathogens, pest or climate adverse conditions (drought, etc.) as well as improving research technics.

The EIB's foreseen investment will only concern RDI costs related to conventional seeds that will be sold predominantly within the EU. The RDI activities are expected to be carried out within the Promoter's existing research centres in the EU and predominantly in France. The project's compliance with all applicable national and EU environmental legislation will be checked during the appraisal process. Particular attention will be given to potential regulatory issues related to experimental field trials, including those that may fall under the scope of Directive 2001/18/EC.

The promoter has been assessed by the EIB as a private company not subject to EU rules on public procurement or concessions. However, if after the project appraisal, the EIB were to conclude that the promoter is after all subject to the EU public procurement legislation Directive 2014/24/EU, then the Bank would require the promoter to ensure that contracts for the implementation of the project will be tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation Directive 2014/24/EU, where applicable, as well as Directive 89/665/EEC as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the European Union, with the publication of tender notices in the Official Journal of the European Union, as and where required.