Brussels, Belgium
September 30, 2013

Copa-Cogeca outlined its detailed views on the EU Commission proposal for a new seed law
for Europe at a joint press conference organised by Copa-Cogeca and the European Seed
Association (ESA) in Brussels today.

The move came as MEPs held an exchange of views on the Commission’s proposal for a new
Regulation on the production and marketing of Plant Reproductive Material. The new
regulatory framework for seed builds upon 50 years of seed marketing legislation in the EU
and lays down a general framework that establishes key principles with which operators will
need to comply in order to produce and market seeds in the EU. It brings together 12 former
crop-specific Directives into a single Regulation and aims to simplify and harmonise the
legal framework for operators and public authorities.

Outlining Copa-Cogecas views at the Conference, Copa-Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka
Pesonen said “Seed of continually improved new plant varieties is vital if farmers are to
remain competitive and meet rising food demand expected to grow by 70% by 2050. We are
pleased that the Commission has come up with this regulatory framework as it will reduce
red tape for farmers and cooperatives by bringing legislation into one single Regulation.
Garlich von Essen from ESA added “When it comes to seeds, a legal framework that
supports identity, performance, quality and health is essential, for breeders and farmers
alike”.

But Mr Pesonen stressed “We have major concerns about elements of the proposal. In
particular, Copa-Cogeca is against weakening the current provision which makes
certification mandatory for certain listed species. We advocate maintaining a positive list for
different species in the new Regulation. We also want to be involved in the preparation of all
delegated acts. Furthermore, we want to exclude forage species (grass and clover) from the
heterogeneous material provisions set out in the proposal as it would put at risk the
breeding work undertaken for over 100 years and could destroy export opportunities to
non-EU countries”, he said.

He continued “Finally, the existing directive recognised the complicated characteristics
specific to the ornamental plant sector and allowed plant varieties to be marketed as such if
they were ‘commonly known’ or entered in a suppliers own list (such as a catalogue). Copa-
Cogeca wants to retain this flexible, simple and proportionate approach instead of imposing
an official description which will be costly to develop, maintain and check”.

Wrapping up, Mr Pesonen said “Seed is one of the main farming inputs contributing to
sustainability and competitiveness of the farm sector. I urge MEPs, the European
Commission and Ministers to take into account our demands and revise the proposals to
ensure the new EU seed law continues to support this”.

Website: http://www.copa-cogeca.be

Published: October 3, 2013