08 Feb - EU Law Threatens Allotment Growers?

First up I'm not an 'EU Basher' but this story is worthy of note. It's strange how a seemingly innocent piece of legislation can have an impact far beyond that for which it was (possibly) intended. Take the EU proposal called 'Plant Reproductive Material Law' for example (catchy title). This proposal is designed to ensure that plant seeds are 'safe' for the European public and that plant material has been tested to ensure quality and conformity.

Unfortunately what this means in real terms is that a small seed retailer will have to pay between £500 and £3000 to get new seed varieties approved by the EU. Many UK seed companies, popular with domestic vegetable growers, have already said that they will not be able to pay for 'official' testing and approval. If this legislation is approved then the choice of veg varieties for domestic and allotment growers will be massively reduced and heirloom seed will basically disappear overnight. Effectively it will make it illegal to sell seed not on the approved list. More worryingly, it has been pointed out that five companies will own the rights to 95% of all seeds sold in Europe. Clearly that can't be a good thing, can it?

The good news is that on January 21 2014 the EU's Environment Committee voted overwhelmingly to recommend to the EU Commission that the legislation be withdrawn as it "would concentrate power among just five companies that dominate the seed market, and discriminate against non-industrial traditional plant varieties rich in genetic diversity". Let's hope that the EU Commission listens to its own Environment Committee and we can carry on swapping, breeding and buying a large range of vegetable and flower seeds. 

For further information on how the legislation will effect small producers see the Reel Seeds website for more information and updates.