The plant breeding and seed sector plays a crucial role in delivering high quality varieties to farmers to face an increasing number of challenges linked to climate changes and reduced tools at their disposal. It is fundamental to guarantee the sector the conditions to continue operate on the basis of a level playing field. Practices that undermine these conditions jeopardize the overall goals of the PRM proposal of food security, protection of biodiversity and restoration of forest ecosystems.
By excluding from the scope of the Regulation certain type of material and activities, the European Parliament created the conditions for a market lacking minimum requirements and official controls. While derogations ensured proper balance between the development of the sector and the safeguard and maintenance of conservation PRM, easing the conditions to operate for conservation entities, the exemption from the Regulation would not only facilitate breaching the common rules and increasing frauds, but would remove any transparency or official oversight for the stated aim of improving diversification and diversity of the PRM placed on the market or exchanged. Exempting certain material from minimum quality and seed health requirements, without any traceability or official controls will impact users and undermine the confidence in the sector and the good reputation of EU produced PRM for global markets.
“The text from parliament opens an informal channel for marketing of PRM with no scrutiny whatsoever regarding its identity, quality, health or marketing claims regarding its suitability for specific users. This risks damage to the drive for EU farmers and growers’ towards more sustainable production, the competitiveness of European agriculture and threatens the international recognition of the EU as a region for reliable sourcing of high quality PRM serving global markets. The outcome of the vote does not reflect the contribution of our sector to the agri-food chain and end consumers nor does it reflect the industry's objectives in terms of sustainability and economic viability. We look at the Council now to adopt a position that would contrast those threatening provisions to be taken to the interinstitutional negotiations”, states Nigel Moore, Head of Food Ingredients and Euroseeds Board Member for KWS.
