The trouble with organic seed

1
The trouble with organic seed

• Roger Hitchings
• Head of Advisory Services
• Elm Farm Research Centre
• OCW Partner

2
Its been a long hard road

• Requirement first introduced in 1996
• Two derogations to end 2003
• Now open-ended derogation unless crop species in
  special annexe
• Could be twenty years before all seed is organic

3
Whats in it for the grower

• Higher costs
• Less choice
• Much of the trial work at own risk
• Greater variability
• More regulation

4
Problems encountered

• Variable germination sometimes
• Some quality questions
• Some varieties virtually unknown
• Graded or precision seed not available
• Untreated seed not available when needed

5
Reprieve or more of the same?

• New EU Regulation
• Maintains present derogation indefinitely
• Annexe for species with good seed supply
• National databases - www.organicxseed.org
• Treated seed prohibited from 2004

6
Industry view

• One or two companies have pulled out
• Most organic seed is bought by small growers
• Market has stabilised and has been relatively
  buoyant this season
• New Regulation will undermine further
  developments though some companies are in for the
  long haul

7
What do you think?

• Should supermarkets pass on higher costs?
• Do we need treated seed?
• Do we need a seed regulation?
• Has there been sufficient support?
• Should smaller growers bear the brunt?
• What does the future hold?