News from the gardening world
New laws are disrupting seed transporting and sales across Europe,
Sweeping changes to plant importation have left seed companies and distributors bearing the brunt of new challenges.
While public demand for seeds and plants is running at record levels, behind the scenes the new regulations are having implications for companies large and small, charities and the gardening public. The bottom line is that no one can import or export seeds to Europe and Northern Ireland without the necessary phytosanitary or plant health certification in place for each variety.
This can make it prohibitively expensive and financially unviable, particularly for smaller operators, including plant charities sourcing seed from the EU or gifting seeds to their members. The public can also no longer legally buy or obtain seeds from overseas or send seed material to families, friends or acquaintances without the requisite phytosanitary and administrative certification in place, paid for by senders. As a consequence, UK seed retailers have effectively stopped sending seeds overseas and vice versa.
“We are currently not exporting any seed to the EU, Northern Ireland or Ireland as these countries now need a phytosanitary certificate, which in some instances costs more than the worth of the seed,” said Andrew Tokely, Horticultural Director of Kings Seeds. “We are still importing seed from EU, but this is challenging as customs are overwhelmed and there are delays despite being told there wouldn’t be. Despite this, seed is getting through and there’s no need to panic buy.”
Disruption to societies
The situation is also having serious consequences for international specialist plant societies based in the UK, such as the Alpine Garden Society (AGS) and the British Cactus and Succulent Society (BCSS). Both operate a seed distribution scheme as a key member benefit and a compelling reason why many join. Seed is usually obtained via a network of professional and amateur donors and retailers overseas, which an army of volunteers then individually packet for distribution. “We distribute 80,000 packets of seed to many of our 4,000 plus members around the world,” said AGS Seed Distribution Manager, Diane Clement. “As an international society, this situation is a disaster. We urgently need to find a solution. Rules are currently based on agricultural crops, not specialist horticultural ones, so we’d like the government to introduce a hobbyist clause, allowing small amounts of seed to be distributed, like the USA currently allows.”
The BCSS is similarly affected by the clamp down. “We previously had cactus seed donated from around the world, particularly from Eastern Europe, but now that tap’s been turned off,” said BCSS Chair Ian Thwaites. “The situation is further compounded because all cacti, whatever they are, are protected by CITES conservation regulations, so we can’t send seed or plants to the EU in any shape or form. Members are further frustrated because they can’t buy seeds or plants from EU nurseries.”
Ian plans to send an open letter to government, while asking BCSS members to lobby local MPs for changes allowing small lots of seed to be allowed. Both organisations hope the RHS may also be able to assist by lobbying government on behalf of specialist societies.