Peterborough, United Kingdom
March 24, 2009
Plans by the European Commission to simplify seed marketing legislation and ensure free movement of high-quality seed and plant propagating material, has been welcomed by the Agricultural Industries Confederation.
The plans, discussed at the European Conference on Ensuring Seed Availability in the 21st Century, represent the first serious review of legislation that was created almost 50 years ago.
"While the legislation still meets many of the needs of the seed sector, it is clear that some amendments are needed to reflect the full range of new markets which the industry is - and will be - asked to supply these days," said Paul Rooke, AIC's Head of Seed Sector. "Concepts such as streamlining the introduction of varieties for non-food markets will help to speed up innovation and should reduce costs.
"We were pleased to see that the views of the consultants, who undertook an evaluation of existing legislation, were very much in line with the thinking of the UK seed trade.
"We particularly welcome the strong message, given to the conference that the Commission needs to make proposals to address the issues on the level of GM presence in conventional (non-GM) seed lots. We have been pressing for this and further delay will only do harm to the EU seed sector."
AIC looks to continue taking an active role in the dialogue as the EU looks to simplify and update the 12 directives that currently impact on the seed trade.
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