From preserving rare plant varieties to bringing new crops to market, the humble seed plays a bigger role in Europe’s food system than most people realise. New EU rules aim to make that system work better.

The EU has moved closer to overhauling the rules governing seeds and other plant reproductive material, including tubers, cuttings, seedlings and rootstocks used to grow new plants. The deal replaces ten outdated directives with a single smooth regulation. It establishes a set of rules on the seed market‚ improved rights for farmers and more space for plant diversity.

According to the rapporteur of the European Parliament Herbert Dorfmann (EPP/ITA)‚ the the agreement strikes the right balance for preserving the “high-quality standards European agriculture is known for, while protecting biodiversity and giving member states the flexibility they need”. “It is a good deal for farmers, for breeders, and for the environment,” he said.

The new rules set common standards for the sale and movement of plant reproductive material in the single market. But above all it should mean fewer legal differences between member states for breeders and producers‚ and increased clarity for farmers and public authorities. The deal also keeps quality checks for products in the single market and free competition across Europe․

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More space for farmers and gene banks

The agreement leaves some activity outside the Brussels rulebook. Material used by gene banks‚ and small scale (entirely domesticated) production of plant reproductive material for farmers’ own use will not be covered. Eeach member state will define the threshold․

Conservation varieties will have lighter registration requirements. Non profits known as gene banks will be able to exchange plant material without cost in attempts to promote conservation of genetic resources.

The provisional agreement must still be approved by the Parliament and the Council. The Commission estimates about 52‚000 people are employed in the EU seed industry‚ working for 7‚000 companies in the sector․