Summarises the marketing requirements for the following crop groups: Agricultural Seed, Seed Potatoes, Vegetable Seed, Fruit Plant Seeds, Ornamental Species Seed & Forest Seed.
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Crop Group |
Marketing Requirements |
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Agricultural seed (except seed potatoes)
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Marketing in the EU
The EU has formally granted equivalence to the UK for agricultural seed. Before you export agricultural seed from GB to the EU, your variety will need to:
Marketing in NI
GB seed can be marketed in NI but, as for seed destined for the EU, must be certified under OECD rules and have an ISTA orange international certificate. under OECD rules. See step by step guidance on moving seed to NI.
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Seed potatoes |
Marketing in EU
The EU continues to prohibit GB imports of seed potatoes, despite the UK maintaining virtually identical plant health standards to the EU. Finding a solution to restore the EU export market for GB seed potatoes continues to be a high priority for the UK Government.
Marketing in NI
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Vegetable seed |
Marketing in the EU and/or NI
The EU formally granted equivalence to the UK for GB vegetable propagating material but this does not include certified vegetable seed.
Standard seed of vegetable can continue to be marketed into the EU and NI provided that it is accompanied by a suppliers label stating “EU rules and standards” and a phytosanitary certificate.
It is Defra’s understanding that EU member states may require an EU address on the suppliers label, it is the suppliers responsibility to check the receiving country’s requirements.
The EU has not included certified vegetable seed in the equivalence Decision, which means that certified vegetable seed from GB cannot be marketed in NI or the EU. DAERA and the UK Government continue to engage with the EU to push for certified vegetable seed to be included in any equivalence decision.
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Fruit plant seeds |
Marketing in the EU and/or NI
The EU formally granted equivalence to the UK for fruit plant and propagating material. GB fruit plant and propagating material can be marketed in the EU and NI. Labelling requirements must be met.
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Ornamental species seed |
Marketing in the EU
Ornamental seed and propagating material can be marketed into the EU, provided that it meets plant health requirements.
It is the responsibility of the exporter to ensure the labelling and quality assurance requirements are met for the receiving member state.
The variety must have EU PVR, or be registered in any EU member state or be commonly known before September 2012.
Marketing in NI
Ornamental seed and propagating material can be marketed into NI, provided that it meets plant health requirements.
It is the responsibility of the exporter to ensure the labelling and quality assurance requirements are met.
The variety must have one of the following:
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Forest Seeds |
Marketing in the EU
The EU granted equivalence to the UK for Forest Reproductive Material (FRM). FRM can be marketed into the EU provided OECD scheme requirements are met (with some minor exceptions where simpler conditions apply).
The EU Commission has adopted a temporary equivalence decision that permits the marketing of the tested categories of FRM to the EU (and NI). The decision will remain in place until the end of 2024 and permits Member States to make their own decisions about importing tested categories of FRM from GB. This temporary decision will allow the EU the time necessary to extend Council Decision 2008/971/EC to apply to tested material and will avoid any risk of disruption of imports of tested material into the EU. Suppliers of FRM are advised to contact the Forestry Commission to obtain the necessary OECD certificates before supplying any FRM to the EU at FRM@forestrycommission.gov.uk
Marketing in NI
GB forest reproductive material can be marketed in NI.
The EU Commission has adopted a temporary equivalence decision that permits the marketing of the tested categories of FRM to the EU (and NI). The decision will remain in place until the end of 2024 and permits Member States to make their own decisions about importing tested categories of FRM from GB. This temporary decision will allow the EU the time necessary to extend Council Decision 2008/971/EC to apply to tested material and will avoid any risk of disruption of imports of tested material into Northern Ireland and the EU. Suppliers of FRM are advised to contact the Forestry Commission to obtain the necessary OECD certificates before supplying any FRM to the EU at FRM@forestrycommission.gov.uk |