Just after Christmas, we received a letter headed up: URGENT Action Needed: New developments mean the EU is effectively about to ban small seed producers – Please read all of this letter:

 

You may remember earlier in the year we wrote to you telling you about the EU plans to license seed production.  It would have effectively banned small seed producers and potentially even criminalised the gardener who produces his own seed!  The impact on plant diversity would have been devastating.  We joined forces with several other campaigning groups across Europe and won concessions which excluded the smaller producers.  However, the situation is now looking worse….

The New Developments …. One influential Italian MEP, Sergio Silvestris, has been working hard to amend the legislation.  And it is now proposed that the new legislation is amended to cover all plant materials which are made available for sale.  Even worse, Mr. Silvestris has removed the exemptions to the rules for voluntary and community living seed banks like the Heritage Seed Library. This is extremely bad news.  This means not just food crops but also ornamentals, vegetables, fruit trees and even wildflowers will now be subject to EU regulation!  Can you believe that, even wildflower seed subject to EU regulation!

The Implications …. In its proposed form, the legislation would require all seed producers, of whatever size, to become licensed operators and all plants sold to be described and listed and to meet set standards with plants having to conform to tightly defined descriptions.  And seed producers will have to bear the costs (which will get passed on to consumers).  If you want to produce seed, you would need to register, even if you are just producing seed to share with friends.  Now, this legislation works very well for the big producers who churn out large volumes of limited varieties.  But what about all the small seed banks, specialist nurseries, seed exchange networks, even amateur breeders –how will they bear the cost of regulation?  The Heritage Seed Library would almost certainly become unviable.

And there is no reason for it.  It is not as if there are massive problems with the way seeds are produced at the moment.  This legislation is simply a way for the large corporations to get a stranglehold on the market.  And there’s the principle of the thing.  The EU is proposing to license and regulate nature – it is perverse.  We are, right now, joining forces with our NGO colleagues across Europe to fight this.  We all need to play our part.  The key points we are arguing for are:

a)  Living seed banks, seed exchange networks and Statutory Seed Banks to be exempt from regulations;

b)  Reduce ornamental (including wildflowers) testing requirements in the Regulations;

c)  Introducing exemptions to the ruling if the quantity of seed sold to the customer is below a certain level (packet size).  Many niche varieties are sold in smaller quantities and not sold on a large commercial scale;

d)  Recognition of the value of open-pollinated varieties, heterogeneous materials that cannot conform to the standards.  And allowing exemptions to varieties developed in the future as well as existing varieties;

e)  Regulation of marketing of Plant Reproductive Material (PRM) not to be applied to small farmers and amateur growers.

Take action….

1.  Please would you donate?  We need £32,000 to fight this case and lobby every MEP in the UK.

2.  Please would you write to your MEP to raise awareness of this issue?  I have drafted a letter which you can use for this.  However, with this kind of campaigning work, it is generally best if you are able to write your own because MEPs tend to disregard letters that look mass-produced.  You can download the letter at www.gardenorganic.org.uk/support_us/saveourseeds.php

http://www.europarl.org.uk/en/your_MEPs/List-MEPs-by-region/Eastern.html

I know this may not be the best time in the year to be asking but we desperately need to get moving as fast as possible.  We are up against powerful businesses with deep pockets.

Thank you very much indeed for taking the time to read this letter.  I do hope you can help us.

Neil Munro,

Heritage Seed Library Manager

On a lighter note, if you’re planning on treating yourself to a Garden Organic membership, Heritage Seed Library membership or plan to Adopt a Veg, you should go straight to their website at http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/index.php