Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 September 2021
802. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken in response to challenges organic farmers will face in securing seeds as a result of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43593/21]
View answerThe Department is currently liaising with the European Commission regarding certification of organic seed under organic growing standards whereby such certification would result in a simpler process in the future. This matter is under continuing discussion.
As a result of Brexit, there had been problems in relation to the importation of both organic and non-organic seed from GB; a prohibition was placed on the importation of certified seeds from GB from 1 January 2021 pending discussions on relevant equivalency agreements.
The UK subsequently applied to the EU to have seeds of certain agricultural crop species (fodder crops, beet, cereals, and oilseed species), deemed equivalent for production and marketing purposes. The EU has now granted equivalence status to the UK for the purposes of production and marketing of seeds of these species in EU Member States. Seed of the aforementioned species produced in the UK may now be freely marketed in Ireland provided they comply with EU plant health and customs regulations.
The UK has applied to the EU for ‘equivalence status’ for vegetable seeds and this application is currently being processed at EU level.
