Production of organic seed for the organic sector (OF0154)

This is the final report of Defra project OF0154. \nUnder the European Union Regulation on the organic production of agricultural products (2092/91), crops raised in organic systems should be grown from organically produced seed or vegetative material. However, the supply of organic seed is limited in the UK and in Europe as a whole, and so by way of derogation, the EU Regulation permits the use of untreated, conventional seed on organic farms only when an appropriate organic variety cannot be sourced. At the start of this project, the derogation period was due to end on 31 December 2000; however, it was extended in June 1999 to 31 December 2003, after which the use of conventional seed will not be permitted on organic farms. To evaluate the current situation regarding organic seed availability, future demand for seed, and the problems restricting the development of an active organic seed production industry in the UK, the following tasks were undertaken with the aim of helping to facilitate the commercial use of organic seed and contributing to the ending of the use of conventional seed on organic farming systems. \nObjectives \n1.\tAssess the current and potential availability of organic seed, in the UK, elsewhere in Europe and further afield. \n2.\tDevelop a forecast of demand for organic seed in the UK over the next 5-10 years. \n3.\tDetermine the obstacles that need to be overcome and whether or not they can be dealt with through UK or European co-operation. \n4.\tHighlight problems that need further research input. \n5.\tProduce a report covering the availability of organically produced seed for commercial organic use, including details of species and varieties where further work is needed and recommendations for future actions. \nResults \n•\tThere are 251 different varieties of organic seed commercially available to UK organic farmers and growers, 98% of which are vegetable varieties and 1% are cereal varieties. There are no grasses or herbage legumes available. Of the major crops, only 4% of the varieties most commonly used by UK organic producers are currently available as organic seed. \n•\tA survey (with only an 11% reply rate) indicated a general European view that organic seed was in short supply in Europe. \n•\tBased on 1997 data, demand for organic cereal seed is likely to double, demand for vegetable seed will triple, and demand for grassland seed will increase 7 or 8 times. With the current trend in organic seed production, these demands will not be met at the end of the derogation period unless a massive increase in production takes place. \n•\tThe problems associated with organic seed production expressed by fourteen seed companies in the UK could be broadly placed within three categories: 1) Marketing, 2) Technical and 3) Standards. Many were only perceived problems (not actual ones) that could be overcome through education, training and discussion. \n•\tThis study has shown that organic seed production must go ahead and that there are no real obstacles to cause delay. \nComments and recommendations for future actions \n1.\tPress ahead with organic seed production. \n2.\tMore rigorous policing of the current derogation is required. \n3.\tMake a rapid commitment not to extend the current derogation. \n4.\tMajor improvements are required in organic variety testing to identify which varieties should be produced as organic seed. \n5.\tFurther work is required on pest, disease and weed problems specifically related to organic seed production. \n6.\tResearch is required on the standards of other European countries and third countries. \n7.\tMAFF census data should include organic agriculture and horticulture information.