Authorisations To Market Preservation Mixtures For The ... - Defra

Plant Variety Rights Office and Seeds Division
White House Lane, Huntingdon Road
Cambridge, CB3 0LF
Fax:
Website:
01223 342386
www.defra.gov.uk
SEED CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
SEED CERT: 1/06
Date: 1 February 2006
To: Registered Processors and Packers
AIC; BASP; BSPB; DARD; NAAC; NAW; NFU; NIAB; PHSI; SASA; SEERAD.
AUTHORISATIONS TO MARKET PRESERVATION MIXTURES FOR THE
RESTORATION OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Until recently, the marketing of some seed mixtures intended for the re-creation of natural
and semi-natural habitats was not permitted by seeds legislation. In this letter we set out
details of new legislation which permits such marketing, in certain cases and subject to
certain conditions. They are intended to be simple to follow whilst still ensuring openness
and traceability of seed. In essence, all that will be required of suppliers is that they obtain
an authorization to market based on the details of the habitat and the origin of the seed,
and agree to label mixtures with these details.
Current Position
The marketing of prescribed species of fodder plant seed (see Annex A) is controlled by
the Fodder Plant Seed (England) Regulations 2002 (as amended) (the Fodder Plant Seed
Regulations). Non-prescribed species are NOT subject to these regulations and may be
marketed freely.
Until 26 October 2005, only certified seed of prescribed fodder plant species could be
lawfully marketed – even in mixtures containing seed of both prescribed and nonprescribed
species intended for the restoration of natural and semi-natural habitats. In the
latter case the priority is to use genetically diverse, British native-origin seed sourced from
the wild, not certified seed. Consequently, the 2002 Regulations have been amended by
the Fodder Plant Seed (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 to allow the marketing of
uncertified fodder plant seed where an authorisation has been granted by the Secretary of
State.
Interim provision for British native-origin seed for habitat restoration purposes
At a meeting with stakeholders in March 2005, it was agreed that interim arrangements
should be introduced to permit the marketing of wild sourced, British native-origin seed for
habitat restoration purposes. These interim arrangements are necessary to regularise the
current situation but will almost certainly be superseded in due course by an EC Scheme,

the terms of which are currently under discussion in Brussels. The arrangements set out
in this letter reflect the agreement reached with stakeholders in March 2005, amended to
take account of the draft EC proposals. Your views will be sought next year on how these
interim arrangements have worked in practice and on the final terms of the EC Scheme.
In brief, these interim arrangements:
introduce procedures which require suppliers to apply for and obtain an
authorisation in order to market Preservation Mixtures. The authorisation will last for
one year;
ensure full traceability of source sites, and require registered suppliers to keep
appropriate records;
in line with the draft EC Scheme, apply only to mixtures containing seed of
prescribed fodder plant species;
permit the marketing of mixtures containing seed that has been Crop-Grown or
Directly Harvested (the latter includes brush/vacuum/combine collected seed and
green hay);
take account of the provisions in the emerging EC Scheme on Preservation
Mixtures;
may require amendment when the EC Scheme is implemented if it differs from
these interim arrangements.
You should apply for the relevant authorisations before marketing. Please note that failure
to comply with the terms and conditions of any authorisation will infringe the above
regulations and any marketing would be unlawful unless the seed is certified in the normal
way.
The information required for consideration of the grant of an authorisation is set out on our
website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/pvs/seedcer.htm
If you require a hard copy or have any queries about the procedure for applying for
authorisations please contact Mandy Clements at the above address (telephone 01223
342387 or e-mail mandy.clements@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
In the meantime, if you have any comments on these interim arrangements, please let me
know at the above address (telephone 01223 342374 or email
tony.a.watts@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
Tony Watts
Tony Watts

ANNEX A
PRESCRIBED SPECIES UNDER THE FODDER PLANT SEED (ENGLAND) REGULATIONS 2002 (AS
AMENDED)
1. Seed of fine grasses of the following plant species -
(a) annual meadowgrass;
(b) brown top;
(c) creeping bent grass;
(d) festulolium;
(e) red fescue;
(f) red top;
(g) rough-stalked meadowgrass;
(h) sheep's fescue (including fine-leaved fescue and hard fescue);
(i) smooth-stalked meadowgrass;
(j) velvet bent; and
(k) wood meadowgrass.
2. Seed of fodder grasses of the following plant species -
(a) Alaska brome-grass;
(b) cocksfoot;
(c) hybrid ryegrass;
(d) Italian ryegrass;
(e) meadow fescue;
(f) perennial ryegrass;
(g) rescue grass;
(h) small Timothy;

(i) tall fescue;
(j) tall oatgrass; and
(k) Timothy.
3. Seed of small seeded legumes of the following plant species -
(a) Alsike clover;
(b) birdsfoot trefoil;
(c) lucerne;
(d) red clover;
(e) sainfoin;
(f) trefoil, black medick; and
(g) white clover.
4. Seed of large seeded legumes of the following plant species -
(a) blue lupin (also known as narrow-leaved lupin);
(b) common vetch;
(c) field bean;
(d) field pea;
(e) hairy vetch;
(f) Hungarian vetch;
(g) white lupin; and
(h) yellow lupin.
5. Seed of crucifers of the following plant species -
(a) fodder kale;
(b) fodder radish; and
(c) swede