I’m fed up with talking about the weather, but I can console myself with the fact we have grabbed every opportunity so far and progress is not too bad.Farmers could pay levy on saved seed
FARMERS could be forced to pay royalties on farm saved seed under new EU proposals, the Soil Association has warned.
The organic lobby wrote to Defra Secretary Hilary Benn on February 22 urging him to oppose the proposals which it said would have particular impact on small-scale farmers.
Peter Melchett, Soil Association policy director, said there was a growing practice among conventional and organic farmers to use and re-sow seed.
He said the proposal to pay seed royalties would add a financial and regulatory burden on small farmers already struggling to survive.
He also expressed concern about who was driving the policy.
“Our major worry is that the EU is taking steps to dissuade farmers from saving seed by the seed companies themselves.
“We have seen it in the US where the seed companies now force farmers to buy new seed, especially costly GM varieties, every year.
“This is only good for seed companies and bad for small farmers,” he said.
Defra has not yet responded to the Soil Association letter.
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Readers' comments (4)
Jonathon | 11 March 2010 1:19 pm
What's the problem? We already pay a levy on most varieties of seed we save from on farm production and I am more than happy to continue to do so. How else do we expect to fund the development of newer better varieties?
It's simply ridiculous for farmers to expect to have new technology for 'nothing'. Get real and pay for what you want or grow older outdated varieties if you prefer.
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roger oates | 11 March 2010 3:49 pm
Peter Melchett always wants special treatment, it's about time he joined the real world.
We have paid royalties on our farm saved seed for the last few years and have the invoices to prove it. Just being organic should not make you immune.
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Anonymous | 11 March 2010 8:29 pm
Surely the best way to pay for the new technologies, if you want to use them, is through the price of the seed? Seems bonkers to be taxed for doing the natural thing, whether you're organic or not.
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Tom | 28 March 2010 6:03 pm
Jonathon and Roger - we have no objection to paying royalties - but having to pay when your seed is your seed and not owned by anyone is another matter! Dont let your grass seed - you'll probably have to pay for that soon.
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