Legislation can be a challenging topic, but it is of vital importance as it affects all of us. We’ve been working with Fulya Batur of Kybele Consulting to demystify this topic for our network so that more people feel empowered to join the conversation and advocate for fair seed legislation.
Fulya Batur is a lawyer and legal consultant specialised in agricultural and environmental law, focusing more specifically on the law of the seed. She is a consultant, facilitator and trainer versed in different national, European, and international policy topics, with a focus on agricultural policy, the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources, and their role in European, regional, national, and local food systems.
The following formed a part of our year-long seed production training course.
Programme Legislation Work
Heterogeneous Grain & Cereal
Over the past several years, the Seed Sovereignty Programme has worked with collaborators UK Grain Lab, OF&G (Organic Farmers and Growers), the Organic Research Centre, Scotland the Bread, Hodmedods and more to advocate the importance of diverse grain and cereal production within food and farming systems, and for such production to be supported through appropriate legislation. This includes recognising the value of seeds adapted to local farming systems and the contribution that diverse seed populations make towards building resilient food chains and adapting to climate change.
EU seed legislation, through its temporary experiment on cereal populations, and the new provisions on organic heterogeneous material, has enabled the successful development of commercial supply chains that are adapted to deal with non-uniform cereals, pulses, and other grains. British growers and other stakeholders that are working to develop such supply chains no longer have the benefit of this provision and are disadvantaged until suitable provision is made within UK legislation. These developments should be mirrored in applicable UK legislation, and further enable stakeholders working to develop such supply chains and production models.
Read more about our position here:
Inclusive and Proportionate Seed Laws Advocacy
The Seed Sovereignty Programme has also been working with the Small Packet Independent Seed Suppliers Forum to advocate for inclusive and proportionate seed laws, which uphold and support local seed systems and all actors engaged in the conservation and sustainable use of plant diversity, through the exchange, sale, or participatory breeding of seeds, plant propagating material and seedlings.
The Small Package Independent Seed Suppliers Forum is an informal forum of associations active in the promotion of crop and seed diversity and diverse seed systems, as well as companies specialised in the sale of seeds in small quantities to non–professional and professional users. The Forum was established in August 2020 to discuss policy and technical issues revolving around seed diversity, particularly in the lead–up to Brexit.
Read more about this work here:
General Legislation Guidance
Legislation differs depending on the country you are growing in, and depending on whether you are growing seed for a seller or aiming to sell seed independently.
Under Contract: When growing under contract for an established seed company, it is best to speak with that company regarding any measures you may need to take. If you would like to know more about this process, please feel free to reach out to a seed company in your area or Contact Us to put you in touch with one for guidance.
Selling independently: If you are planning to sell seed independently in Great Britain, you will need to be registered with DEFRA in order to do so. However, do not be put off by this process! There are agencies on hand to help, and if in doubt you can contact your local coordinator for advice.
England, Scotland and Wales: The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) manage this process and can be contacted directly for advice and guidance via telephone 0208 026 5993 or email seed.cert@apha.gov.uk
Northern Ireland: Seed certification is managed by the Environmental Farming Branch which can be contacted via telephone: +44(0) 28 9052478 or email: seed.cert@daera-ni.gov.uk More information is available on their website here.
Republic of Ireland: The Department for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food manages seed certification in Ireland. You can contact them directly here or call on +353 1 607 2000. You can also learn more on their website here.