1986 Phytosanitary Field Inspections
In 1986, the Illinois Department of Agriculture offered a joint agreement to cooperate on phytosanitary field inspections on seed fields. Illinois Crop Improvement became accredited under the National Seed Health System in 2003 as an extension of the agreement with the department.
During this same time frame, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Seed Schemes created some opportunities for Illinois Crop in Illinois and Puerto Rico. The seed industry continued to position itself to take advantage of export markets – a trend that would continue into the late 2000s.