Regulatory threats to seed exchanges and plant movements

[Tim Ingram]

There is also reference to this in the Comment section of 'The Garden' by Nigel Colborn, so it is steadily getting more and more on the agenda which must be good news.

[Hillview croconut]

It's great that this is now a sticky topic. Hopefully this interest is  translating into submissions and letters to pollies. The SRGC represents a large bloc of potential agitation and community concern so let's hope individual members come to understand this and get writing.

Cheers,  Marcus

[Maggi Young]

An Irish friend has just sent me this link - He thinks  it is good news and on a brief reading I think he's right. 
Thanks, H..

 MEPs vote against EU seed Regulation  by  Oliver Tickell

31st January 2014

http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_round_up/2261055/meps_vote_against_eu_seed_regulation.html

[Hillview croconut]

Hi,  this looks good news for seed exchanges but has it been reported elsewhere? I guess there will be a lag in the paper media but some enlightened blogger should have raised their hat by now.

I am a long way from the action but it looks to me that issues around plant registration and niche markets still need to be resolved. However if the size of this rejection is anything to go by then the outlook is favourable.

Thank God for commonsense.  I am still shaking my head in disbelief that such an idiotic proposal ever got to fly.

Cheers, M

[Hillview croconut]

For those members who may want to read something about this battle in another language other than English this site may be useful http://www.seed-sovereignty.org/EN/

Much of the discussions centre on food seeds but many of the principles are valid for all of us who wish to trade, swap, buy and grow seeds.

Cheers, Marcus

[Hillview croconut]

Keith Taylor Greens MP, who I believe has had a letter posted on this thread has some interesting things to say in his latest blog post http://www.keithtaylormep.org.uk/2014/01/31/keith-opposes-commissions-new-seed-law/

M

[Maggi Young]

There has been opposition to the proposed new seed regulations of the EU in many countries. See for example:

http://www.seed-sovereignty.org/EN/

But there are many more, a lot written in the language of the country itself.

I think many people do not realize what the possible  implications of the proposed new legislation can be for ornamental gardening.

The Dutch parliament approved a motion against the new seed regulation in May 2013.

 Thanks for the repeat of the link for the Seed Sovereignty site, accessible in several languages, Marcus.

While the news so far is good, there is still more to be done to assure that draconian measures are  dismissed and the more of us across Europe who support the action against this legislation which might  be catastrophic for ornamental seed and plant  distribution, the better.

[Hillview croconut]

Apologies to Garden Prince - its becoming a long thread!

Cheers, Marcus

[Maggi Young]

Quote from Horticulture Week :

http://www.hortweek.com/news/1230025/Delay-forecast-plant-reproductive-material-legislation/

Delay forecast for plant reproductive material legislation
Friday, 07 February 2014

Plant reproductive material legislation may not come in until 2015, campaigner Graham Spencer has suggested.

Many growers are against the controversial EU legislation 2013/0137(COD). They have pointed out that under initial drafts, article 50 "officially recognised descriptions" (HW, 13 September) requiring "common knowledge names" would have resulted in lengthy, contentious and costly descriptions.
Plants for Europe owner Spencer said the EU environment committee has voted unanimously (49-0) against draft legislation and he now expects the agriculture committee to follow suit when it votes next week.

With a new EU Parliament and Commission due this year, Spencer said decisions are likely to be delayed. However, he warned: "It's not gone away."

HTA horticulture manager Raoul Curtis-Machin added: "We've now got to wait for the Commission's response, which may be a while off yet with European elections due in May."

[Hillview croconut]

Sounds like the Night of the Living Dead! 

Surely this issue has a stake throughs its heart after the MEPs overwhelming voted it down?  How come it can be resurrected?

Cheers,  M

[Hillview croconut]

Sorry,  I see now that it was the Environment Committee that voted it down .... . God these bureaucrats are tenacious bubble dwellers! M

[Hillview croconut]

Hi,  for those that haven't been following this closely or are just plain confused by the process here is a link that can help http://www.realseeds.co.uk/seedlaw2.html

While the focus is on vegetable seeds the principles are the same and the process going forward is simply explained.
Cheers,  M

[Hillview croconut]

I have quickly browsed the Environment Committee's report and the situation is not as rosy as reported.  The committee voted down the proposed version and has come up with their own set of amendments. Some of these are very contentious and are in fact tougher than the EC's position.  For example,  contrary to the EC 's proposal for small businesses servicing niche markets to be exempt, the Committee wants them to be included and stricter definitions be set for what constitutes a niche market and how many units of a particular variety can be sold into it. Page 20 of the report,  between recommendations 30 and 31 should be read by those visiting the forum who have commercial interests.  It doesn't  inspire confidence.

On a brighter note, it is my understanding that the committee is NOT supportive of a register for clonal material BUT is for seed varieties. This is to ensure and maintain confidence in their purity. I may be wrong about this because I can find any mention on The Real Seed website and seeing that such a regulation will directly affect their activities.

Maybe some other forumists can take the time to have a look at the report?

Cheers,  M

[Maggi Young]

Updates  via Plant Heritage :
http://www.nccpg.com/News/European-Commission-proposal-confusion-after-lates.aspx
Quote :

 " European Commission proposal confusion after latest round of voting

European Commission proposal confusion after latest round of voting
Plant Heritage is warning that the proposed new European legislation has been thrown into confusion this week after the EU Parliament voted yesterday overwhelming to reject the proposal.
 
The Plant Reproductive Materials regulations, which could endanger many National Plant Collections, numerous nurseries and endanger the survival of many ornamental plants, was rejected by the Parliament in Brussels yesterday amid concerns that it would give the Commission too much power, and leave European countries without any leeway to tailor the new rules to their needs.
 
The Commission was left reeling and responded saying that, whilst it was prepared to enter discussions to improve the proposal, it was not prepared to withdraw it. As a result Parliament closed the first reading, voting against the Commission’s draft text by 650 votes to 15. Chair of the Agricultural Committee, Paolo De Castro, said the vote showed the depth of Parliament’s dissatisfaction with the Commission’s proposal, which failed to meets its core objectives such as simplifying the rules and promoting innovation.
 
“We therefore regret that Commission has declined to withdraw this widely-disputed text and come up with a better one. It is clear that the draft new rules must be redesigned to better respect different situations in different member states and bring about real improvements for all producers, consumers, and the environment. We hope member states will be strong enough to follow parliament’s position and reject this unsatisfactory proposal,” Mr De Castro said.
 
At present it is not known what the outcome of yesterday’s voting means but with no changes made to the proposal at this point in the process it means that it could be much harder for MEP’s and industry campaigners to influence a second reading.
 
The concern now is that although negotiations will continue in the European Council and amendments will be made, Council has agreed that in principal the regulation is needed, potentially putting the economic viability of many National Plant Collections and nurseries in doubt.
 
Plant Heritage is grateful to everyone who lobbied MEPs before Christmas. This seems to have had a major impact on their decision yesterday: “As MEPs, who co-legislate with the Council, we want to take full responsibility for this legislation,” said rapporteur Silvestris. “For this reason we cannot decide in a hasty manner on this proposal, which is crucial for many growers’ associations, companies and citizens,” he added.
 
Referring to these latest developments Plant Heritage Conservation Officer Mercy Morris said that the industry now needed to establish the impact of yesterday’s developments and clarify what could be done moving forwards.
 
Speaking on the directive Ms Morris said: “It appears to be impossible to predict what will happen next; though it would be very disappointing, in the run-up to the European elections to have the opinions of our democratically elected representatives ignored. I would urge everyone involved to maintain the cooperation between the different areas of UK horticulture that has served us well so far, and be vigilant for future developments”
 
The current wording of the legislation requires all plant varieties sold in Europe to be listed on an official register thus making it illegal to sell unregistered varieties. At present only 2,000 of the estimated 77,000 cultivars sold in UK are registered, and with an administrative cost of as much as £500 per variety to register, many small nurseries could be forced to close. This would also include a large proportion of our National Plant Collections, many of which are held in large and small nurseries."

[Maggi Young]

Clearly there may be more  to be done by us all in the way of  contacting MEPs etc - to ensure that these proposals are fully rejected.

 Further link to news : http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20140307IPR38202/html/MEPs-reject-draft-seed-regulation